With Wearied Mind and Child-like Heart

“Strength is happiness. Strength is itself victory. In weakness and cowardice there is no happiness. When you wage a struggle, you might win or you might lose. But regardless of the short-term outcome, the very fact of your continuing to struggle is proof of your victory as a human being.”
--Daisaku Ikeda

Life has not been easy, of that I testify. While I may appear young for my years, my mind is wearied and old. Naiveté --that tender integrity of children whose hearts cannot fathom the wickedness and the cruelty of the world-- no longer dwells within me. For, I have known disloyalty, deception, rejection, poverty, and failure.

 I have watched an incurable disease destroy the existence and soul of an admirable and determined individual. I have spent years in a relationship where I loved and trusted whole-heartedly, and ultimately received deceit and abandonment in return. I have watched a great friendship dwindle because of pride and inconsistency. I have witnessed the treachery and foolishness of companions who knowingly did wrong, but wallowed in his or her dissatisfaction rather that turn away from the source. I have listened to the conversations of others, and the idiocy I overheard has repulsed me.

My mind weighs heavily with such knowledge. Yet, is it not strange how my childish heart has maintained an iota of faith? For, regardless of mankind’s foibles, I strive to love and be loved by those whom I dare to admire; however, only hurt can manifest from such good intentions.  After all, the world is filled with well-intended actions, but the ignorance and fallibility of humanity only warrants further injustice. If man were not by nature sociable creatures, there would be more hermits in this world. For, while transitory happiness is 

attainable in the presence of others, peace of mind consistently lurks in solitude.

Thus, the struggle continues.

Truly,

Eden 

30 Days of Letter Writing: Letter Three

To my parents:

You were over-protective and over-indulging. If not for both of you, I may have never lived and if I had survived I may have wished only to die. Yes, that’s right--this letter is not to my biological parents but to the man and woman who were true parents to me. By my adoptive family, I was nurtured and tenderly guided down the moralistic path. I lacked and yearned for neither love nor material possessions.

Father, I was golden in your eyes---you thought I hung the moon. The sentiment was mutual. You amazed me with your ability to build and fix all things and your patient council. You listened when mother would only lecture. I miss you so much---even your corny jokes and your obnoxiously out-of-tune singing
.
Mother, you are the rock I lean on. You keep our household together. All these years, you have been the busy little worker bee. I do appreciate all the little things you do for me. You are such a considerate and humble individual. I love and envy how you can apologize so easily. Life is harder now that dad is gone but he would be disappointed in us if we did not push forward and excel.

Dad, wait and see! I will show you just how golden your little girl is!

Sincerely,
Eden

Reading Corner updated: Currently Reading Section

11/15/2010
Original Post

Dear Readers,

I have decided it would be a good idea to add a 'currently reading' section to my reading corner page! This way my initial impression of books can be recorded while I am reading said book or books instead of just my overall impression once I have finished.

Thanks,
Eden

11/24/2010

I have added more books to the Reading Corner in addition to another section: Recommended Authors.

30 Days of Letter Writing: Letter Two

Mon cheri,

Brent, it has nearly been two years since we met and I cannot thank Audrey enough for introducing us. You are everything a women could ever want in a lover and friend. You have been supportive and true. You have been constant and unwavering; always, you have been beside me. You look after me, laugh at my whimsical ways, and nurture me. You know my heart, read my thoughts, and predict my words. Every time I talk to you, my feelings for you are reaffirmed. You make me smile and laugh. You warm my heart with your clever humor and insightful mind. Most importantly, you love and accept me.

I love you too. I'm not great at showing it, but I appreciate everything you do for me. I look forward to our future together. I am very lucky to have a man like you in my life! I tease you and act childishly; I may never mature but I do want to grow old with you.  When I look into your deep brown eyes, I see the rest of my life before me and that life is shared with you.

I need you. I have lost so much in the passed year but you consoled me. Whatever love and encouragement I lost when my father died, I regained from you. You have been so kind! Brent, you are the only man in my life now and my world would be empty without you. Who else could I be completely honest with but you? There are things I have told you which I will never tell anyone else. I trust you.  No one else can make me happy and reassure me as easily as you. Again, for that I love you.

Yours always,
Eden

30 Days of Letter Writing: Letter One

Day 1 — Your Best Friend
Day 2 — Your Crush/Partner
Day 3 — Your parents
Day 4 — Your sibling (or closest relative)
Day 5 — Your dreams
Day 6 — A stranger
Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush
Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend
Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet
Day 10 — Someone you don't talk to as much as you'd like to
Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to
Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain
Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you
Day 14 — Someone you've drifted away from
Day 15 — The person you miss the most
Day 16 — Someone that's not in your state/country
Day 17 — Someone from your childhood
Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be
Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad
Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest
Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression
Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to
Day 23 — The last person you kissed
Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory
Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times
Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to
Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day
Day 28 — Someone that changed your life
Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to
Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

Dear Katrina,

When I first met you I overlooked you. You were just another face in the classroom and I was oblivious to the wonderful friendship which you and I would forge together. However, Fortune smiled upon me when our journalism teacher moved you to the seat in front of me. That was when it all began! Now, three years later I realize you entered my life just when I needed a best friend the most.Consistently, you have proved your merit! I treasure your reliability, discretion, and wit! You are a brilliant and opinionated young woman. You can and will go far in this world--much, much farther than most--just remember to try and try again. Never sell yourself short. Oh, and stick to your plot lines! ;P

I want to accompany you through the hills and the valleys of your journey and  watch you achieve your dreams. If ever you should fail, if life should deter your efforts and knock you down, I plan to be there to commiserate and say, "Dust off your knees, rise, and try again!"

Katrina, life isn't always fair, but my world grew brighter the day we met. Know, always, that you are a cherished friend and companion.

Sincerely,
Eden

Welcome!

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
                                                                                     --Abraham Lincoln

Sunday, August 29th 2010

I have created this blog , a niche, in an expansive realm, a network, utilized by many.  
Today, I say, "hello".
This is my first time accessing a stand-alone blog and not a mere feature on an interactive website.
I hope you enjoy my future posts!

Until then,
Eden