Marigolds and Mother Nature

Wow - I just wrote my first full-circle entry. I started the list one way and ended it in the same manner with a bunch of "stuff" in between.  It's almost like a Seinfeld episode. 

1. Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it. This is a word I live in and thoroughly enjoy those serendipitous moments in life.
2. "And do not even sweat anything.  You are like family and we take care of family and those we love and care about." This was said to me today and made me tear up. I appreciate my friends so much.
3. This past spring I was so excited to plant some seeds and grow flowers outside of my office window.  They did pretty well until it got REALLY hot outside. Unfortunately they all died off after I had a couple of sunflowers brighten my days and then whither away.  Today I stepped outside and was so pleasantly surprised. The plants that I thought had died had survived and thrived without any help from me - only the help from Mother Nature. The seeds found their ways to the cracks between the tiles and took root.  Nature never ceases to surprise me with its ability to persevere.  I take this as a testament to the human spirit. No matter how bleak things may become, over time you'll survive and under the right conditions, you'll thrive. Seeing these flowers made my day and hopefully this picture of them will make yours.
4. I took about a week off from running and ran today.   I felt pretty good and motivated to do my long run on Thursday.  Long meaning 20 minute run. I love how the endorphins make me feel. 
5. Some days I feel like I am a freshman in college. You know.. not having a clue what I want to do with my life career wise. While they feel unsure of their path they take classes in the hopes to discover it. In my case, I'm working just because that's what I'm supposed to do until I discover my "path".  It's not a bad thing. Sometimes that's just what you have to do. I'm okay with not knowing what I want to do because I know what I love to do. Make sense?  Probably not...  bottom line - I love being creative and artsy and I'll keep pluggin' away until I experience a serendipitous moment. :0)

D. Hicks' Deep Thoughts

Today I have been very cerebral.  Just a lot of awesome moments of thought and happenstance.  I took advantage of the opportunities so they would not pass me by.

1. Today I am really thinking about my post from yesterday about FEARLESSNESS.  I think this is something to really think about as an individual.  What holding you back right now?  This was a question posed on Oprah's Life Class.  My response was: "The fear of things not working out.  I hope to experience more of my own FEARLESSNESS as opposed to FEARFULNESS. I'm loving these thoughts.
2. What I found amazing today was that nearly every conversation I had was surrounding the word FEARLESS.  I reached for a Dove Chocolate - you know, the ones with the little messages under the wrapper - and written on the foil was "Be Fearless". VERY PROFOUND! 
   
3. Today is National Coming Out Day - I mentioned this to a friend and it wasn't as well received as I had hoped and that's okay.  It caused me to understand how far I've come in my own journey. Following the fearlessness theme, I created an "It Gets Better" video on campus as part of a university project. I wanted to show some level of my own fearlessness and share with whomever watches it. In the video I stated that no matter what, they must persevere and be fearless in the life they've been given so that they can be the most amazing person they can be. It most certainly can get better. Just trust in yourself. Trust in the thought that you will never be given anything you can't handle.
4. I love that I keep finding more and more inspiration in my daily life.  It's like I'm having a mini Harlem Renaissance in Manassas!  I created this graphic today because the word "fearless" kept coming up.
   
   
5. Tonight I was waiting in the express line at Super Walmart and the customer in front of me paid and the cashier didn't have enough money in the till to give her so she had to go to the service desk to get more change.  It probably took a good 10 - 12 minutes and other people were leaving her line to go to others.  Finally, the cashier returned and gave the customer her $3.64 in change. The cashier greeted me and apologized for the wait. She also commented on how she noticed that I didn't yell at her or complain.  I said to her, "Well, I wouldn't ever do that because it wouldn't have made any difference because you still had to get change and I am a very patient guy."  She smile and said, "God bless you. Thank you." That gratitude was enough to make me feel great and it was enough to make up for the wait - hearing her gratitude and seeing that she had a positive attitude during the entire time.