My personal quote on my page is "be not afraid of death, but of the life unlived." I would like to explain that a little more. To me, not living life is not stopping your brain from spinning constantly, sort of. It's like everyone walks around thinking about 5 minutes from now, or an hour or a day from now, and even when that moment comes, that moment that 5 minutes ago or an hour or a day ago we were dreaming of/ focusing on, we don't even really acknowledge it. Instead, we think of and plan our next moment, not even stopping to feel ourselves breathe in and out, such a miracle is that. Seriously, sometimes I just sit or stand and feel myself breathe, and think to myself, "that is so amazing, just to breathe. My body is rejuvenated and soothed when I inhale... and exhale." Maybe I'm just a creep who's easily amused, but I think that if everyone took some time out of everyday to do that, we would cherish it so much more, and we would cherish that minute or two so very much, just by being conscious of our own breathing. And walking on your road? How many people, do you think, take each step focusing on their next, not even realizing what they're passing by? I'll admit, I do that more than I would care to admit, and so much more than I want to, but it seems like in the hustle and bustle of society, I can't find the energy and focus to come out of myself and truly be alive. I'm constantly in this little cocoon where all I can think about is tomorrow or later today or yesterday, when what I should be feeling is now. Not tomorrow, not an hour from now, not even a memory from yesterday, but now. It takes a lot of concentration to do that, believe me, but it is so worth it when you do. I just wish that things were simpler, you know? Then maybe we wouldn't have to consciously "be" in today, we wouldn't have to put effort into that. It would come naturally... But making society a simpler place to live in isn't really a possibility, is it? What I can do, and what I think everyone should do as often as they can, is take five minutes in the pouring rain to feel that pure water slip over your skin, soaking your clothes through so that you are conscious of every little thread and softening your entire body with what I think is one of nature's most amazing miracles. You know, unplug your TV and sit outside or at a window and just look at it all! Every time I do that, every single time, I'm astounded by how much life there is around me, and how brilliant and beautiful it all is (yes, even in Tucson). And it makes me so happy... To be able to feel myself slip away from that evermoving world of ours to this retreat, this wonderful, beautiful place where we live, where we are alive and breathing. It sounds so basic, so simple, and I think that's what makes it so complicated to do, because "nothing is free" and nothing is truly simple. I don't believe that. The wildflowers growing after a long, replenishing rain- they are free, and as simple as can be. The happiness you can give a person just be smiling at them- that's free, and that's simple. Taking a breath of sweet air after it rains- as far as I know, that doesn't cost anything, and is simple, too. What I believe is that the things that are the most basic, the things that don't cost anything save a little time or effort, are really the things that make someone happiest. Are you really happy to buy a fancy car after working very hard for such a long time, or does it make you happier to hear a funny joke or make someone who is unhappy smile? I don't know, that's just what I think, so everyone is entitled to completely disagree with that.

Anyway, "be not afraid of death, but of the life unlived" is my personal quote because it has always really spoken to me. You may think that you are living very well and very happily, but one day, you may wake up and it will be painfully obvious how untrue that is, how truly dead you have been. So if you don't get anything else out of this very spontaneous little blurb, just get that it's never too late or too early to start living. You just have to start with being alive.