Fresh Air

This morning I saw one of those social media memes with the word 'Explore' emblazoned across a sunlit canyon. I stared at it for a minute or two, wondering when I last explored anything more exciting than my kitchen pantry. It's been a while. 

When I first met the Man, he had a motorcycle. Not the crotch rocket type, but the big, comfortable touring type. We would frequently hop on the bike after dinner and just ride. I was new to this area, so every road was fresh for me...every shadow on the pavement, every tight mountain curve.  We took longer rides, too. Long, ass-numbing rides that required packed bags strapped onto the back. It was spectacular. If you want to really experience a road trip, do it on two wheels instead of four. 

We sold the bike about five or six years ago. We sold it because at some point we can't name, we just stopped riding. We got older. We got busier. It feels weird, like we've misplaced something...but this really isn't meant to be a story about the motorcycle. 

It's about finding something new. Going new places. With new people. 

When was the last time you saw anything new? When did you last have a fresh experience? 

Maybe I've become old and jaded. Maybe I've got a severe case of 'been there, done that' disease. Until recently, I felt like I hadn't seen anything new. In years. 

Then, almost a year ago now, I found my tribe, a group of like-minded creatives, and everything changed. I began to see the world through their eyes, their experiences. I found my long lost and left for dead curiosity. 

About everything. Every. Thing. Not just artsy stuff. My soul is lit up with ten-thousand candles and I plan on following every flickering flame. 

I am going places. Literal and figurative. It's time to explore. Time to reclaim my forgotten fearlessness. Time to see something new and breathe fresh air that my lungs don't recognize. 

I'm dragging the Man along, too. Wanna come with? You know what they say... The more the merrier...  :)

- kjsmith

(Photo is Lookout Mountain taken from the observation point on Still Hollow Loop Road.)

Power

More than love

We need to be understood. 

Accepted. 

Respected. 

Heard. 

Hold your tongue

If it's mean. 

If you won't even try

To hear and embrace

And respect 

Me. If you are too shallow

To understand,

Leave my life.

As there is no more room for you here. 

I will not regret,

Not waste another moment 

Wondering what you think. 

- kjsmith

Your Potential Has Potential

     So, here's the thing...I don't like seeing people held down, kept from their dreams. Life is too damned short for that nonsense.

     I allowed myself to be held too tightly by my parents for a really long time. Then when I finally woke the hell up and made my escape, I fell into the arms of a narcissistic, emotionally abusive control freak. I eventually escaped him, too.  It's no small miracle that I'm still (relatively) sane. 

   Having freed myself of the shackles of giving a shit, my backbone grew exponentially. I do still have lapses of allowing people to treat me disrespectfully, but they are becoming fewer and farther between. 

     It's a beautiful kind of freedom.  Thinking of your needs ahead of others.  Following your own heart, wherever it takes you. It's a liberty we all deserve. A worthy rebellion. 

     Don't deny your potential for the sake of someone else's comfort.