I Appreciate You

"If you admire somebody, go ahead and tell'em. People never get the flowers while they can still smell'em." - Kanye West

I've learned and grown to be a person who enjoys telling people things I like about, appreciate or admire about them. Too many times, I'll miss opportunities and have to wait to like text or message them online, but when you tell someone something like wow your hair looks really nice today, I like that shirt on you, you're a really nice person, things like that...being able to see their reaction, the glow in the face is such a dope feeling and is so internally rewarding. Now the quote above obviously goes a bit deeper...to tell people how you really feel before they pass away and you don't have that opportunity anymore. But it's also a reminder to me to just tell people how you feel, even if it feels like such a little thing, it could make such a difference in someone's mood or day. I can't count how many times someone has told me that they liked my shirt or they remember that time I did something for them...it's such a nice feeling and it like really brightens your day. So I've really been trying to practice that lately...with my friends, with people I've just met, I think especially with your friends...sometimes you've known them for so long you forget to let them know how much you appreciate them, obviously it goes without saying but hearing it every now and then never hurts now does it? I bring all of this up because I saw a friend a couple of days ago and he was like yo man, I just wanted to say keep it up. Keep writing on the blog, keep being real and keep doing you, it's encouraging to me and so many others out there. He went on the say that he and others may not comment but they definitely read and resonate with my posts. I mean like that's such a little thing, a little gesture like hey, keep it up. But for me, it was such a boost of encouragement and motivation cuz there really are some days when I wanna call it quits or just nothing comes to mind y'feel? So yeah, don't hold these things in...as weird as it may feel sometimes, let people know what you're thinking, even if they might not express appreciation outwardly in return, I guarantee it'll make them feel some sorta way...most if not all the time positive. So seriously...tell your friends how dope they are, tell that person you really like their outfit today, compliment somebody's haircut or something...a little bit really does go a long way sometimes. Till next time, see you soon, peace.

Life Lessons From My Mentor

Someone I really look up to is my old elementary school teacher and coach. He's someone I always talk about on this blog and to my friends.If you've ever seen Boy Meets World, I literally look at him as Mr. Feeny. This man taught me and coached me when I was in grade 7 and 8. I went back in high school for volunteer hours and we became pretty cordial and pretty friendly with one another. Even tho I finished my hours in like grade 9, I kept going back every year to help him coach volleyball and basketball, through that we became really good friends and through university, I visited him every now and then. Like I've been to his house, had dinner, met his family...we're boys lol. I went to visit him today cuz it's been almost a year and I've been really busy, it was so nice just to catch up and so see how he's doing. To share what I've been doing and going through and to be able to encourage one another. It's weird thinking he was my teacher considering he's confided in me some personal struggles...it really made me see him as a great friend as well. But yeah, today we were talking about a lot of things...how much time has passed, how we're all getting older and stuff. But even tho you get older...you never stop learning, you never stop growing...and it should be like that. No matter how old you are, how smart you are or how much you've been through and experienced...there's always more to learn and grow. I told him how I felt I was in a transitional stage of life...not really feeling like a kid but not really feeling like an adult...he said that never really goes away either. That sometimes, he even wonders to himself like am I really an adult you know...like taking care of yourself, taking care of someone else and stuff, it's crazy. He told me how right now at my stage of life, all that really matters is family and friends...most of if not all my time goes towards that. But as you get older, your priorities start shifting. He tells me how he's so busy with his kids them being enrolled in so many sports and classes and stuff that it's always boom, boom, on the go and like you barely get time to yourself, let alone see your friends. That and you might not even live close to them  because life, work and family might take you  in different directions and they take priority. It really hit me you know...some of these years might be the best times of our lives...in terms of seeing your friends and hanging out with them so frequently...cuz most people I would say aren't so lucky to have their friends be in the same neighbourhood or proximity as them, it gets harder and harder to see each other when you have kids, job and family to take care of, it's crazy. The last thing he and his girlfriend told me was to really take my time when it comes to relationships and finding a girl. I really want you to read this carefully cuz it made so much sense to me. She and him both come from failed marriages and found each other, but obviously the goal is for the first one you get into to work, no one expects a marriage to fail. Both of them really emphasized to me to take my time, to be patient. That so what if you are single from say age 15-30...that's 15 years of your life you're figuring things out, don't you think it's worth it to wait 15 years for the right one. And when you do find the right one, you're able to spend the rest of your life with them...the next 40-50+ years. I was like damn...I honestly have never thought about it like that. Being a bit patient, maybe even a bit picky because this is the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with...I think you owe it to yourself to make sure that this is the right one, it's not like you can exchange or refund this. That just really hit me like a truck because it rang so true. But yeah, I know this post is getting long so I'll cut it here, I know it's been a while, sorry. I have all these relationship and love posts on my phone cuz that's all that's been inspiring me lately lol, so yeah, see you soon.

How To Get/Approach A Girl

Hey friends, hope you are doing well. Happy Valentine's Day to you couples...Happy Single Awareness Day to everyone else, stay SAD folks...LOL. So this is a post I had in my back pocket for quiet some time and I only started 'interviewing' people last week. It wasn't until like 2 days ago I was like oh yeah, Valentine's Day is coming up...that would be a dope/funny day to put this out on. So at first, I debated asking not only how to approach girls, but how to approach guys as well...but I figured most girls...'most girls'...don't approach guys and instead zeroed in my focus onto just approaching and/or getting girls. So major shout outs to all the people I asked, even if you didn't get back to me in time, no worries. I asked 5 different guys and girls, all of different age ranges to get the most diverse set of opinions and answers, so without further ado...I asked them all the same question.

In your opinion cor from your experience, how does a guy go about getting/approaching a girl?

Guy #1: I feel like there's so many different answers to this, um...ask for their number? Well if I don't know them, I would talk to them and then ask them out on a date hopefully. I think you would kick it for a bit, go on a few dates, then seeing how it goes, first kiss, then probably asking them to be yours. I think you have to be confident and just be like hey I thought you were cute so I wanted to know if I can have your number.
Girl #1: Well effort is definitely attractive but I feel like generally you can't "make" someone like you by pursuing them ya feel. Like be open and spend time talking to them and going out and stuff, but usually if you guys click then you click, and don't rush things!! Also try to remember small things they bring up and expand conversation on that.

Guy #2: Well clearly my luck with girls hasn't been the greatest, but getting and approaching a girl is honestly one of the hardest things to conquer. It\s almost like solving an equation, you gotta plug in a couple of formulas in before you get the correct answer. Approaching a girl is the hardest thing, but thinking of something to say is even harder. By complimenting something she's wearing, or even saying something dumb but funny at the same time. Now getting a girl is different, because once you have her attention, making a wrong move often leads to disaster. Listening is huge when trying to talk to a woman, because it shows you actually care about what she says and it can actually help you in the future. Like if she tells you what her favourite chocolate bar is, and a couple dates in you surprise her with her favourite chocolate bar. As small a gesture as that is, it can mean a lot to her. Honestly as long as you show her the real you, can make her laugh and respect her thoughts and decisions the rest will figure itself out.
Girl #2: I honestly don't know it all just happened naturally so there's no specific steps I can think of. I like it when thing just flow and happen naturally.

Guy #3: A guy needs to be unique. He can't be like everyone else. When he leaves the girl, the girl needs to remember him, miss him, want to start up a conversation rather than the guy having to start the conversation. You want the girl waiting to talk to you, waiting for you to be done work, school, whatever so you can give her attention. You want her to want your attention because that means you're worth it. You're worth her being crazy over. Having a girl that's "crazy" isn't always a bad thing because that means she's crazy about you, and you want that.
Girl #3: Uhhh, he text you a lot, snapchats you a lot or asks to facetime you a lot? Hints at relationshippy things like wanna go to prom or asking to hangout with just you. Oh and guys are like touchy when they like you, in a less creepy way than that sounds.

Guy #4: Real talk I think it's just about not being afraid of rejection. Seeing if they're interested first by little things like if they're msging you back of if they're down to chill. If they are then just ask if they're down to hold hands haha. Idk that's what I think tho, but I'm just a simple dude, too many mind games are just too much for me.
Girl #4: Get to know them as friends and slowly make moves and let them know that you're interested in a relationship with her. But at the same time don't expect that you won't be friend zoned like understand what she wants. Get to know her and see how she feels about being in a relationship if she's ready or not. Put that topic into conversation and slowly let her know how you feel.

Guy #5: If it's just trying to approach a stranger, I'd say just be as genuine as possible. Forget any gimmicks or what not. Be real and sincere.
Girl #5: Hmm, I think the most important part is to be direct. When a guy says "let's hang out", it's kinda annoying cause you can't really see the intention. It also just saves your own time and her time too. Obviously, not telling ppl to be direct immediately, but it's as important to take the time to get to know a girl and see how you guys vibe before you be direct. But if by a point you know for a fact that you're interested and have a slight idea she might be too, it doesn't hurt to ask. Idk about other girls, but I know that my female friends and I have talked about how we'd rather a guy admit he's interested even though we may not be so that we can straighten things out and continue a friendship if possible vs having him act hot/cold at times. 

And there you have it...real guys, real girls, giving their real opinions and perspective about how they think or have experienced how a girl should go about getting/approaching a girl. Once again, much appreciation to those who helped me out, especially last minute when I decided I wanted to put this out on Valentine's Day lol, see y'all soon, peace.

Dear God

Geez this is like my third time trying to find the words to write this. Both cuz I feel like I have writers block, but also cuz I just don't really know what to say. I've just been feeling really lost lately, lost in terms of just not knowing where I'm going or what I'm doing with my life. It feels like I'm in one of those seasons of doubt and of worry...where it feels you're constantly experiencing setbacks. God you've been reminding me of how good you are and how good you've always been. I\m truly praying and asking you for patience, patience in all things and all aspects of my life. Patience for my future job or career, patience for direction, patience for you to outline some clear cut goals in my life and of course patience for love and relationships. You've been reminding me of how important it i to be patience, that good things take time, that things are always hppening even when I feel they're not. The song 'You Make Me Brave' came to my mind and I was honestly hit so hard. "For You are for us, You are not against us". To be brave is to embrace and to face your fears, what you're afraid of. And I'm honestly scared of the uncertainty of life, the fear of failing...and part of me is grasping onto that so tightly, wanting to have some sort of control over my life...but I know I can't do that because you want all of me, not just part of me but all of me. I know that life is scary, it's hard...but God you make me brave. And faith in You is trusting that You are forever and always in control. "You make me brave, You call me out beyond the shore into the waves". God you remind me that not only is life hard, but that it's supposed to be that way. You don't call us to be on the shore, to be comfortable, to be at ease. You call me to the waves, where I'll be tested, where things are not easy...where all I can do is lean on You and trust that you'll guide me through the waves like you always have. Thank You for always reminding me of where I've been and most importantly where I'm going.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13-14