We want people to be real, but not too real.

Don't you dare talk about your bad day on social media. We all have them, but nobody cares about yours. Keep it to yourself.

We want honesty, but not too much.

Don't tell me what I need to hear, just tell me what I want to hear. You see how many people like me? Compliments abound on ever changing, uncontrollable, petty, insignificant traits.. "Soo gorgeous." "You're awesome" What does it translate to? Ego. Not soul.

" For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

We want truth, But--

Not so fast, we insist it's sprinkled with a little sugar on it.

Don't say anything negative or use too many exclamation points....

People won't say anything to you directly, but theyre there. Scrolling and judging. So full of judgement, they won't even make a post 90% of the time because they've conditioned themselves to judge through the eyes of the person on the other side of the screen.

We've shamed rants and passions--fitness posts, food posts, political affiliations, pets.. Theyre Unacceptable!

And we've exchanged them for commercialized, filtered, picture perfect posts with just the right quote.

Are you buying it ?

Where do we go from here ?

A mannequin challenge is trending... Think about that. Can we become any more fake and still and stagnate?

We don't want real. We want just the good from people. Just the happy, just the brags, and the perfect side of their life. All while demanding their realness. But people aren't all good. Sometimes their emotions get the best of them, sometimes they screw up, sometimes they vent, and cry, and laugh too loud. And we label them and push them away, we ignore them and make them feel like an outcast

because real is harder to handle than the shimmering reflection of fake we proudly stare at ourselves in.

It takes maturity to digest real. To look passed the words and see someone just letting it all go because they can't hold their breath anymore. It takes cojones to be a friend to the broken hearted, the hurting, the angry.

And most people can't do it. Not without judgment, or resentment.

But that's why Jesus is our example...

Not our favorite social media person with just the right pose, or the well timed meme.

He handles people in their lowest, weakest, most shameful moments.

And He's there with all the good too.

#whatsyoursoulworth

#IwannabelikeJesus

#givemeallyourbadwithallyourgood

#FaithOverFake

Seeking perfection is a misconception 

Dont seek out a woman who will make you complete

 Find a woman who enhances all of your finest qualities

Let's be honest here

It's not perfection looking back at you in your mirror

It's a man who tries his best he gives it 100 percent 

His heart is flawed, always battling his ego over his common sense 

But that is what makes you a great man 

A man always thinking with a plan-

And the right lady will know how to appreciate and understand

Your greatest ideas, your missteps and your mistakes 

She won't show up just for the glory, or the trophy, but she'll take the time to listen to your story and get to know you and love to love you...

Completely.

That's the perfect woman

People love a physically beautiful woman.

They gaze at her body, admire her hair and makeup. Buy magazines full of fantasy.

People love a smart woman.

They will congratulate her on her success, read the books she suggests, ask her her opinions.

But something about our society does not like both a beautiful and a smart woman all in one.

It is a contradiction to their senses.

A woman who is smart is also bold and stands up for her beliefs. She is made of action and willpower and she usually achieves her goals.

A woman who is beautiful takes care of herself, dresses well, makes health a priority. She is made of action and willpower and she usually achieves her goals.

But when one is both a beautiful, smart, bold woman of action and willpower, a woman who knows who she is and says what is real....She is a b****. She is a know it all. She is a joke. A persona. You can't actually be beautiful, intelligent, and a leader.

I'm getting ready to sell my house and the first thing the realtor tells me is "Declutter" and "stage".

I start to Declutter and stage and I think, "Wow, it's so pretty when it looks like this. Why didn't I keep it this pretty before?"

All staged and perfect.

Sidenote* I think similar thoughts when I actually brush my hair and wear makeup.

I'm getting ready to sell my house and the first thing the realtor tells me is "Declutter" and "stage".

I start to Declutter and stage and I think, "Wow, it's so pretty when it looks like this. Why didn't I keep it this pretty before?"

All staged and perfect.

Sidenote* I think similar thoughts when I actually brush my hair and wear makeup.

I'm struggling to breathe 

Who is chasing me ?

A war on the inside of my mind

No shiny metals on my chest can hide 

Dream ...

the wounded and the dead 

Rain? Cold sweat.

Anger. Fear.

Blood. Dust. 

No sound....

Dog barking.

Wake up. 

Where's my gun? 

Wife sleeps. 

No ones chasing me. 

Just breathe.

Turn on the tv. 

Wait for dawn. 

Fall asleep.

Endless days of sunless gray,

Repetition without end.

You're not even close to coming home,

I've been months without my best friend.

The tears, they fall without effort.

The nights, they drag on.

One more "X" marked on the calendar,

One more day you've been gone.

I promise, the kids, they never see me cry.

I tell them how brave you are,

And see the pride in their eyes.

I tell them,"Daddy is a Hero",

And "he's trying to save lives".

I read your letters aloud to them,

I show them the pictures you've sent.

We say a prayer every night as I tuck them in.

Then I lye in our bed, and read your letters again.

Each day it gets harder,

But I stay strong for their sake,

They are the only sunshine in these days of endless gray.