Paradise

Man in the state of nature was simple. Simple needs that could be accomplished easily. We did not need companionship and only until society was created did we need each other.
-Rousseau (roughly)

John Jacques Rousseau argued that man was perfect and content in this state. There was no arguing, need for power, hatred or preference. I sometimes wonder how life would be if we could go back to that time. A time without the rules of society and without the need to change ourselves to fit into an ever-evolving atmosphere. What would it be like if nature was just enough? It seems to me that life would be splendid. All I can imagine is lush green forests, waterfalls and bright colors from all of the plants and animals. I would be surrounded my creatures of all types, loving and giving. No temptation, hurt, pain or disturbance. If I wanted another human around we could meet and commune simply. We would speak on the joys of nature and the gift of life. Our conversations would be short as to not disturb the flow of movement in our lives. We would be satisfied with that and feel full by just the breath in our bodies.

Why did we change? Why did we decide that land needed to be owned? Who said that it was okay to rule nature and simultaneously destroy it? I wonder and I feel sad. At the same time if no one had been selfish enough to do that we wouldn't experience this life in the way we have now. The "conveniences" we have would not be here. But people were happy without this, right? Without technology, capitalism, suburbia...sometimes I wonder. I wonder as I walk on the grass and soil God has created. I wonder as I sit outside under a bright green tree providing me shade and cool air as the sun brightens the day. I wonder as I drink refreshing water to soothe my parched throat. The simple things.


Alexandria

Alter-Egos

So, I just finished my Spring Break. Read the title and the first sentence again lol. You get what this post is gonna be about? Yup, that’s it!

I saw some crazy and amazing things over this break. My friends and I spent time together doing girly pampering, movie watching etc. We went to a wildlife park (loved it) and made our way to Panama City Beach. For those of you not familiar with college life, PCB is a destination that people from all across the nation travel to during their break for some sun and fun. Fun depending on your definition. Most people see fun in Panama as drinking at 10 in the morning, smoking everything you can and having…relations with people you’ve never met.

Not saying that everyone does that, but let’s be honest…most people do! I’m not going to act like I sat in a corner reading a book while all of the craziness went in around me. I had my share of a good time! But I remember sitting in someone’s condo at like, 4 in the morning and realizing that this was real. Not a dream, but real. I felt a shock go through my body and guilt overwhelm me. That lasted for a couple minutes, then I was back in the groove lol!

Although I may look back at those shenanigans and laugh, it really is sad. I saw girls passed out with their behinds out on the sidewalk, guys groping everything that passed, fights, belligerent behavior and so much more. It’s almost as if everyone’s alter-ego came out at one time. That’s just a recipe for disaster!

It was fun. It was crazy. It was a glimpse at something that I don’t know if I truly belong to. While I had a good time, being in that environment is not me at my best. No promises, but I’m going to try to ease myself out of that lifestyle. I’ve been convicted and put it off for a week so I could party! But, now it’s time to face my conscience. Thankfully, nothing happened to me or my girls. But that doesn’t mean we should repeat actions that we know aren’t good for us. Why am I so hard-headed!!
This is gonna be interesting…

Alexandria C.

A lot. But I see the direction I'm being led in...

I wish I could sit down with you and have a really long conversation about everything I’ve learned over the past month and the truth I see coming to light! It’s crazy and wonderful. I’m honestly learning something new every day and sometimes it motivates me, sometimes it discourages me. I see myself being a source of light and strength for others but there’s so much darkness it’s almost as if I can’t make a dent! So I surround myself with people that want better for themselves, society, this world, this universe and try to create that change.

Hopefully you’re on that path too. Hopefully you’re starting to see the power you have and the ways in which you can help others with that power. That knowledge and removal of the ego is the only thing that can keep us a float in times like these. Especially during this month, this day, hour and minute of my life I’m seeing just how much people need someone to stand up for what is good and pure in the world. We have enough people being motivated by selfish intentions. It’s necessary for people who want better for others to take the wheel.

It’s time to re-evaluate the playing field we’re on. I’m realizing that it’s not all fun and games but that there is more under the surface and it’s going to take more to be that light than I expected. Does anyone else feel like they HAVE to be positive or else there won’t be ANY positivity? No desire for greatness? No hunger for service or peace? I’m sure you feel the same way. You have to! I really need you too! And if you do, please let me know. It’s a struggle everyday seeing what is really going on around here and having to find the proper way to react.
There’s so much more I want to say but it’s all flooding my head at one time and I know it’s going to come out as jumbled thoughts and rants!

My Prayer:

God, I see what you mean. I know what you want for us. I hear your call. As your child, I look to you and ask for help. You’ve sent me amazing people to guide me in this journey. I just ask that you continue to foster my desire to help, that you push all that I touch to want to become better. I ask that you lead others to live as you would desire them to. I ask that you forgive us for not being the lights that we should and that you give us a renewed purpose and motivation. I ask for conviction and redemption. I ask for mercy, love and prosperity. I love you and through you I love all others. Thank you for everything.

Alexandria

Finding the Truth

The saying is overused, but definitely has meaning. “There are 3 sides to every story: yours, theirs and the truth.”

One thing I’ve always done is try to see every side of every situation. I try not to be so consumed in my own feelings that I can’t see someone else’s reasoning for their actions. This has helped countless times where it’s allowed me to step out and take an objective view of what‘s occurring.

Only when you step out of your emotions and start to see everything for what it is, not what it FEELS like it is, can you heal and grow from it. That’s what I’m doing at the moment. A lot of my life recently has been filled with stepping away. Looking at things from above or outside. I’m constantly thanking God for the gift and seeing that this gives me the chance to let go. I can easily get over things because I see the fault in myself as well as the fault in others. Not often do people take that time.

Already, TRUTH is being revealed. Nothing short of amazing. My advice to anyone else going through a tough time is that sometimes you have to stop and search. Look for the facts. Evaluate the situation fully and make sure you don’t do it alone. Yes, sometimes it’s good to ask for help. Others can provide an outlook that maybe you just can’t.

If anything, stay true to yourself and if you sleep at night free of worry or turmoil you’re good. If not…there’s some work to be done! But everything comes with time and evaluation. You’ll begin to see the light or darkness in everything and you’ll be able to decipher the next move with ease. Sometimes it hurts a little, but it’s for the best.

Stay open. Stay honest.

Alexandria Collins

Embracing the Silence

I haven't been going out much lately. My life is sort of on pause in some aspects. I guess that denotes growth? Maturity? Whatever it is, I'm quite pleased with the personal change. I can be in my apartment (yes, I call it an apartment for those that know where I live) alone and not feel lonely. I can immerse myself in my thoughts and be content with creating new ideas. Some aren't comfortable with that. Some need to be around others all the time to feel validated or "popular".

I think the greatest gift you can give to yourself is being TRUE to yourself. By my definition being true is being whole, complete, full and happy with just you. No additives needed. We get caught up in the noise. In the NOISE. Noise holds nothing of substance. It just clouds your true hearing and judgement. When you can't think clearly or for yourself, you can make decisions contrary to what your spirit really needs.

Now this may sound cryptic, but I need you to think of your own situation and apply my thoughts to it. We all have a struggle. We have barriers around that appear to keep the noise IN. Get out. Taking a step back can give an opportunity for clarity. A chance for your mind to breathe. It's hard to evaluate life when we're constantly moving in it. Sometimes it's okay to be still and just listen to the silence. Listen to your heartbeat and think about the next step instead of just taking it.

It's been helping me bring peace to my life, and God has been making things super clear because I'm using my eyes and ears for more than just absorbing the noise.

Some gravitate towards it, some are intimidated by it, I sit in it.

Silence yourself,
Alexandria Collins

Take a Look

Instead of a long post about the changes I plan to make and the traditional resolutions, I wanted to introduce you to a new way of thinking. My friend suggested this website to me and this post in particular, spoke volumes. It's not about changing the sympotoms of your problems, but actually attacking the root issues and changing the way you view things. That's the only true way to bring about change in our lives...not counting down to 1 in hopes of a miracle.

Sounds kinda Debby Downerish I know lol, but I mean it with sincerity and kindness. I hope you take these tips and begin a true CHANGE in your life. Not just a momentary look into what could be.

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/the-one-new-years-resolution-that-creates-lasting-change/#

Happy New Years Eve,
Alexandria Collins

Minding My Own

Too much time is spent dwelling on the business of others. Why do we give so much energy to things that are NOT important? Things, people, ideas that will not benefit you or anyone else for that matter in the long run. It confuses me when I see individuals that could be achieving so much, achieving so little. The sad thing is we often don’t see it that way. If someone is doing an amazing job in their major, has 3 internship offers and volunteers every weekend, they get no praise. But the loudest person who stirs up the most drama gets all the attention! I’m tired of it.

In 2011, I will be accomplishing A LOT. It will be a great deal of work. I’ll be doing work to build my future. I’m so blessed to understand that every moment in the present affects every moment in my future. So while others are sitting around gossiping or making a big deal of the pettiness in life, I’ll be climbing. Success waits for no man. So until you let go of what others think, what may be popular at the moment, and the unnecessary things, you will not go anywhere.

All I want is the best for everyone. I wish harm on no man. But the way people act I swear, they don’t care about themselves! It confuses me so much. But oh well. I have too much on my plate to be worried about someone else’s. Unless it’s positivity, don’t bring it my way. I am going to stop engaging, commenting on or even acknowledging foolishness. I hope you do the same. It can only help.

Negativity begets negativity,

Alexandria Collins

Ready for Love?

We all want love. It’s a primal instinct. I believe the reason we seek love is because in many ways it equals happiness. So often we get bogged down with the pressures and problems in life and want “love” to bring that calm.

What I am realizing though, is that love—true love, does not come if we are not open to it. Puppy love, lust, and everything else will come easily and quite often to those that search. But something everlasting and complete will only come to those that are READY.

My girlfriends and I often talk about the kind of man we want, the ways guys have dogged us out in the past and the mistakes we’ve made in our past relationships. The same answer comes at the end: men are bad, they make us feel bad, but we still want one in our life. What I’m realizing is that the reason a lot of women have problems finding the right man is that we aren’t fully ready for that. We think we are, but through REAL evaluation, we’ll see that it’s not fully true.

Now, what do I mean by being ready? Ready meaning you know who YOU are before you allow someone else into your life. You know your desires, goals and plans to achieve them. Ready meaning you have a relationship with God and knowledge of the strength he’s given you. Ready meaning you have let go of the past and the “issues” your past has you bound with. Ready meaning you actually have something to bring to the table—something intangible and not physical. These things will make a relationship last. Something true and deep.

I’ve realized that all the time I was asking God “Why don’t I have a good man?”, I should really be asking myself “Am I a good woman?” I don’t want just any old guy on the block. I want someone on the same journey in life as I am and who can add to my growth. I want someone who understands my morals and values and sees my “different” path in life as a positive. That type of love takes time and maturity to achieve. But am I ready for that? Getting close.

So ladies, next time you get mad at the guy that hurts your heart, ask yourself “Am I ready for the blessing of a man God has for me?” If the answer is yes, better yourself first and he will surely find his way into your heart.

Alexandria Collins

PS: GUYS, just flip it a little and it all applies to your journey towards love too :)