I’ve had a “blog clog” for the past few days.  That’s the cyber version of writer’s block I think.  I’ve started numerous posts, only to save them for posterity and hope they can have better meaning at a later date.  Kinda ripen with age, you might say.  As I told you before, I had originally planned on a ranting blog style only to realize that it takes far too much energy and research.  I have difficulty presenting a written argument if I haven’t thoroughly researched my side.

    I’ve got a good friend that seems to be going through a very difficult time in his life.  One of those “life’s not worth living” episodes that makes you stop and take inventory only to find that everything you’ve ever valued seems to be out of stock.  Most people experience them in a minimal sense, but a few bear the unshakable burden that the majority of their lives have been spent searching in vain for something sweet and soothing, solid and enduring.  Then, when you feel to be at your lowest point, an uncontrollable little voice slips in and whispers what a failure you’ve been, over and over.  It’s not good.

    I’m the last person on Earth that should be giving advice, but for the past year I’ve undergone a personal revelation that I wish everyone could experience.  I’m not saying that I’ve been reborn or resurrected in a new image.  It wasn’t a religious experience of any type.  It was a realization that I am what I am (didn’t Popeye say that?).  I’ve never been a material person.  I can’t measure success by the amount of money you have, how pretty your spouse is or the number of diplomas you have hanging on your wall.  The pursuit of such things doesn’t make you a success, it makes you a lemming.  I’m not saying to not pursue them.  I’m saying that if you do, then do it to make yourself a better person, not for the status it brings you.  You don’t need a new Mustang to be special.  You don’t need a fancy house.  When you let an advertising agency or some highfalutin socialites tell you what’s important, THAT makes you a failure. I’d rather be friends with a good natured wino than buddies with some egotistical bastard on the Forbes Billionaire list.

    You are the only “you” in the world.  Be an individual and realize that by doing so you’ll get better at it.  Let go of your inhibitions and say something unexpected (not offensive) to a total stranger.  Don’t fear your boss.  Be honest but not critical.  If your favorite shirt is checkered and your favorite pants are striped, wear them together if you want to.  Get mad and then get over it.  If your favorite movie is “Ernest Goes to Camp”, so what?  Your peers like Scotch and you like Root Beer, don’t worry, they’ll survive.

    Nobody that you like will dislike you if you’ll just be yourself.  At the very worst they’ll be jealous.