The Hurricane Song.

One time I found myself sitting in a bar in Fort Lauderdale. I was facing the ocean and in the distance I saw lightning. My immediate thought was, "Oh my God, a hurricane is coming!!" I ordered another drink and wrote a song on a paper napkin, "The Hurricane Song."

As I sit at these train tracks that song once again pops into my head. Maybe because Hurricane Sandy is hitting the east coast and we experiencing slight repercussions as well or maybe it's the sea, calling me home.

The day I took these photos (three days ago) I felt happy. I was looking forward to something, someone. Over those train tracks was a man who I love very much waiting for me. Hurricane or not, nothing could keep me from him. Today, as I write this, the sun is shining.

I ask God, "Why?" a lot. For a lot of years, that is the question that has yet to be answered.    

I Believe.

The last week has been absolutely beautiful. Sunshine, big fluffy white clouds, temps in the 80's... perfect days. And I have spent every one of those days in the car at least twice. So why no photos this week? 

Well this week I have been listening to my favorite country music songs while driving and contemplating life. Country music makes me happy, sad, and everything in between but the main thing I feel when I listen to country music is a connection with God. 

Yes, not every song but there are a few that make me raise my hands, close my eyes and oh wait, I forgot I am driving. You get the point. 

I have been so touched by country music speaking of God, or faith that a few years ago, I got a tattoo that reads "I Believe." I may not have a religion but one thing I am sure of is my belief in something bigger than me. I have included a list of songs in my playlist entitled "I Believe" of course...

1. Brooks & Dunn- "Believe"
2. Brad Paisley- "When I Get Where I'm Going"
3. Carrie Underwood- "Temporary Home"
4. Josh Turner- "Long Black Train"
5. Rascal Flatts- "Bless the Broken Road"
6. Randy Travis- "Three Wooden Crosses"
7. Carrie Underwood- "Jesus Take the Wheel"
8. Josh Turner- "Me and God"  

Some people have church, some have scripture. I have my alone time in the car. Driving, thinking, believing. 

Clouds in the Sky!

One of my most favorite things about nature is the sky; the sky and its clouds. Whether the sky is blue and dotted with big, fluffy, perfect white clouds or completely hidden behind sheets of storm clouds, I love them. I find so much beauty and happiness when I look into the sky. A part of me imagines that the sky is God's painting to us.

Today I woke up feeling sad and confused. I felt as if I need to make things right. I found myself in my car, driving, surrounded by thoughts. As I approached the hill on East Campus View, I felt a little less unsure. The sky was beautiful. I knew I was on the right path. 

I took this first photo because I drive over this small hill a lot and whether my day is great or horrible, I find myself a little happier because of the horizon. I see the sky and I think, "what is over that hill?" Yes I know it's usually traffic or a cop but it is more of a metaphor for my life. 

The second photo is because I always take a photo from the other angle of my first shot. This photo makes me not so happy. The scenery is blah. There's a salt storage facility, a train track, grayness... but if you look past that, the clods go on for miles.

Today was a perfect day to display God's artwork.      

One in Five Americans...

does not have a religion; according to CNN's news ticker. After reading this, I wondered, how many of that 20% believe in God?

I don't have a religion, unless you include Buiism, but one thing is for sure... I believe in God.

It has taken me awhile to be able to say that aloud and it still makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable but yes, I believe in God.

The reason I took these particular photos and had this specific title on my mind was because this drive, this driveway that I travel down everyday, sometimes multiple times a day, reminds me of  why I believe in God.

The people at the end of this driveway need and believe in God. Since I believe in them.... I too need/believe in God. I know there are so many questions but that's it; at the end of this driveway, my questions about God, rest. This driveway is beautiful. This driveway manifests hope, love and belief and.I believe...  

My Boyfriend Hates Being in the Car!!

My boyfriend really does hate being in the car. Me? I LOVE being in the car. It is one of the only places I can really let my mind be free. Sometimes I find myself driving the 270 loop just so I can think.
I have decided screw my last post, this blog and my spiritual methods will be meditating in the car with photos! Sounds dangerous right? Most likely it will be because I am horrible driver.

These photos are from this morning as I drove home to finish up homework and laundry. The clouds were covering the sky and surprisingly at this hour, traffic was light. I have had a lot on my mind the last couple of weeks and before I overwhelm myself, I need to start driving more and figure out what's going on in my head. It may be irrelevant but while on this drive I discovered OSU is having a homecoming parade on Friday that I'd like to go to. I also heard a new Mumford & Sons song that I'd like to share with my boyfriend.

Today on this drive I also thought about how much I miss my family. Also that I sometimes take advantage of my relationship with God.

That's it.

Commitments

The assignment says to choose a spiritual method or practice...

I cannot pick one.

This class, this experience is a whole new, yet familiar journey and I will be using a number of methods and practices to highlight my discoveries.

No commitments to methods or practices but instead, an adventure!

An Honest Welcome

Without thought, I first wrote and posted the original writing of "An Honest Welcome" as soon as it came to my mind. Then later, I read it to my favorite person. He hated it; I guess I was just too brash and umm... honest. So, I deleted it. I was also just being a brat.

Now... I reflect. And I'll write this again.

This is my third time taking this class. First time I failed because I was lazy and missed one too many classes. Second time I attempted online classes. Yeah, I am a bit of a show off and with no "real" human interaction, I never had any motivation to try, so I failed again.

This is not an easy class and religion is a complex subject but even more difficult to understand is my journey with God. I have included links to my last two blogs for better understanding but "Buiism is a F**king Joke!!" will hopefully be a part of my successful attempt at this class.

And if you are wondering what Buiism is, maybe you'll find out, maybe not. At this point in my life, I don't I even know.