The Bra Street Rambler

“Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.”  - Oliver Goldsmith Everyone ends up battered and bruised at some point, it's a side effect of actually investing ourselves in our lives. It's caring enough about the outcome of something to take a chance and risk being hurt or let down.  I've been thrown down more times than I can count, but I've gotten up one time more than I've hit the ground. I've made a point of learning as much about myself as I could on the way down, and while getting back up, so that I could rise that much quicker on legs that much sturdier the next time around. Because there will be a next time around. Perhaps the nature of the challenge will be different, but there will always be another test, another trial, another obstacle to be overcome. These are inevitable for anyone who is out there living life. Just as we can't get on a bicycle for the first time without getting our knees scraped at some poi...

Sometimes in life, we are dealt certain cards that are less than favourable. Difficulties and challenges that can either take control of our lives or be controlled. These cards can be allowed to define and rule our lives, or they can be accepted as limitations to be worked around. It is one thing to say “I cannot climb.” but quite another to say “I cannot climb that high, but I can climb to a certain height.”  Sometimes our minds will try to trick us, try to tell us that because of our situation we cannot do something when in fact, we simply need to put forth more effort to conquer our doubts and stop psyching ourselves out.  Being the social person I am, I have had many opportunities to meet some truly amazing and courageous people. Some of those people have faced things from powerful phobias to unimaginably painful conditions. Where most would simply give up and accept these circumstances as their lives, these individuals have decided to simply work around them...

“Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs.”   -Thomas Wolfe In past posts, it has been revealed that I am quite fond of travelling. One of the appeals for me is of course the opportunity to explore different cultures, customs, and perspectives that I may not have otherwise been privy to in my own part of the world. After all, different environments mean different circumstances, and ways of adapting to them. By venturing out into the rest of the world, I allow myself to see how different people react to their own set of conditions and setbacks (For an example of this, check out my post Weather Wining ). I can learn from them, and I can adapt my own perspectives and practices accordingly. However, I can only afford to fly away so often. Thankfully, there are other learning opportunities that don't require me to have a passport. I don't have to leave home to explore other cultures as there are a vast variety available to learn from right here in my...

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”- Angela Monet What is it about music that makes it so incredibly special? What is it about this particular form of art that touches us so very deeply, that reaches the very core of our emotions, allows us to accept them, and aids us in our healing? Music is always there for us, well... most of the time. Let's face it, when we're going through a tough breakup, music tends to turn on us with unexpected betrayal. That being said, it is also capable of reminding us of some of the best times and people in our lives.  Here are some songs/artists I can't listen to without attributing them to someone or something; Poets of the Fall  This is just one of the bands I can't listen to without thinking of a man I use to date.  Particularly their song Someone Special because I considered it to be our song and I associate it to ...

If you're like me, you tend to keep rather busy, immersing yourself in your work and various projects. Currently, I have three jobs and am taking an ASL class on Monday evenings. It's not terribly uncommon for people my age to maintain multiple jobs in order to make ends meat these days. The reality is that the cost of living is rather high, especially if you have any school debt left to pay off. Is it any wonder so many of us are finding ourselves burned out, in foul moods, or depressed? All the more reason to ensure that we take a break and allow ourselves to recharge. I mean a real break, a day of rest, a Sabbath, a time we set aside for our rest and enjoyment alone. This can be very difficult as often, we have little to no time off, and what little time we do have off, we find ourselves devoting to catching up on chores and/or errands. This results in our energy levels being depleted, our moods suffering, and our social lives taking a major hit unless we active...