The first cut is the deepest ...

So here I am, going through with a promise I made to myself some time ago. And no, it was not a New Year's resolution (I don't believe in resolutions since I think we should resolve things on a daily basis). I can always best describe myself as well as what I am feeling and / or thinking through writing. Sure, I can talk someone's ear off, but that usually tends to get a little messy - with the blood and all from the separation of ear from head. I take my right to "freedom of speech" quite seriously and make use of it on a daily basis, if not a thousand times a day.

A little over a year ago I was encouraged by a trusty friend and publisher (that shall remain anonymous) to take a series of journal entries and put them into one compilation and call it a book. I must admit, between my knack for procrastination and ever-changing mind I have not quite achieved the start of any such thing. Instead I am turning to the blogs. It relieves the pressure of having a deadline and I can speak a little more freely. Plus, you cannot beat the 'free of charge' appeal for all of my readers.

I know this blog is supposed to act as just an introduction, but I feel compelled to write a little about what has happened over the past several days. At this point, you can either jump ship or walk the plank with me and just see where we end up. Here goes ...

Nearly a week ago, there was a major change in power that not only affected the U.S., but the entire World. Barack H. Obama became the 44th President of the United States. Some will turn their nose up at the mention of his name, which is perfectly fine as I encourage different views, but at the same time all must remember that it is our job as citizens of the U.S. to support our leaders even when we do not see eye to eye. I come from a very Conservative family, as do many in the South, but at some point in my early 20's I decided to form a few opinions of my own. I have always had a great interest in politics and what goes on in this World of ours, but during my first semester of college, on a date that will always be remembered in history, I made a choice to broaden my knowledge and boy did I jump in head first.

My Conservative nature began taking another path through the woods. I began to see that both major sides were flawed. A National tragedy brought this country together, but that togetherness was short-lived. It seems that parties are more interested in telling you what is wrong with the other than telling you where they really stand and what they truly believe. That is when I took my independence to heart and became an Independent thinker. Back in the day, being a woman as well as an Independent thinker, I most likely would have been burned at the stake or drowned in a deep body of water, but today most Independent (female) thinkers are referred to as Feminists. I am no Feminist either. Well, I mean there are many aspects of Feminism that I strongly agree with, but to say I am one would be a lie. Independents are also given a hard time for being 'on the fence' about the issues. Also a lie. Just because I have an Independent way of thinking does not mean that I am avoiding choosing a side. Which only brings me to my next point - why should we have to choose sides? I have very strong opinions that relate to both the Republican and Democratic parties' views. I believe in the cause, not the party. Sometimes they overlap, but most times they do not.

I try to put myself outside the box, to look at things from all sides. There are even different stages of both parties. You have the far right Republicans, you have the far left Liberals of the Democratic party and you have the moderate thinkers in both. I try to keep an open mind, but not so open that my brains slide completely out. You have to draw the line somewhere while taking a stand for what you truly believe. No wonder women tend to outnumber men sometimes, they have lost their balls.

I think what irritates me most is that the general population adopt others' beliefs instead of taking on the responsibility of forming their own, whether it be their parents' or their friends' or some European musician that does not even live in the U.S. It is the people on election day that say to the non-voters: "Just vote for so-and-so" without that potential voter knowing anything about that candidate. It is our right, our freedom to vote and we should take the responsibility head on to educate ourselves about the important issues that affect us most as individuals, then study the people to find out exactly who would benefit us more as a leader. This does not stop at the President, this includes every body of legislation. You have to remember, that even though the President is the Commander in Chief, he is not the ONLY one making decisions for US. Another nuisance is the individual that does nothing but complain about our leaders only to find out that person did not even vote. If you want to complain, so be it, but just be sure to do your part and vote on election day.

I feel with every new leader comes condemnation. You cannot condemn someone before they have had enough time to prove themselves to us and the World. As humans, we are very quick to judge and even I have been guily of it in years passed, but we need to remember that if it were us in a position of leadership, we would expect some time to prove ourselves and our committment to turn things around. We are living in a tough time. People, hard workers, are being laid off in every industry. Charities, organizations that only survive off donations of those who can (and sometimes cannot) afford to give are suffering and as a result being eliminated. Some of those groups are the sole provider for the less fortunate of this Earth. It is a trying time. Character is being challenged as is self-worth. We should never be forced into a position of doubt. Doubt is where we fail as a country, as individuals. There has to be belief in something before there can be a fight for it.

I may not be anyone of interest or of any political stature, but I can be an advocate for the rights and freedoms this beautiful country allows us. I can only challenge everyone to take responsibility for their actions, for their beliefs and ask that they exercise their right to vote and take a stand. One person, one vote can make all the difference and that is a fact.

On a lighter and more athletic note, it is SUPER BOWL time!!! Super Bowl Sunday marks the end of a season for me and many others. August through January (and this year, February) is the most exciting time of the year for me. I am a football junkie. If you can believe it, I am a former cheerleader - which is where my madness for the sport began. I was forced into wearing a polyester uniform and belting out silly chants such as "Red hot, our team is red hot. Our team is r-e-d, red h-o-t, hot, once we start we can't be stopped". If you know me now or ever happen to meet me I am probably one of the last people you would ever pick to be a cheerleader. It all started as a very young teenager. My ever-changing mind and ADD-like behavior had me in everything from instruments to golf. My parents happened upon a local junior football league under the name of the Lakeland Gators. My parents, along with my two best friends', signed us up and paid the monstrous fees attributed. The uniforms were hideous, but at least I was a Gator. We practiced in the evening, which in Florida does not provide any cooler weather than it would mid-day, and we cheered our little guys on every Saturday. After my stint on the Gators and moving on to high school I decided to try out for the Dreadnaughts squad. I made it and boy did that prove useful later when applying to colleges. My coach was hardcore. As a former cheerleader herself, she knew what it took to achieve success. She incorporated studies into our daily workouts that kept us both intellectually and physically strong. We won National titles and always went home with the coveted spirit stick from camp. I had the abs of an Olympic champion and a newfound love for the pigskin. Years following, I hung up my poms and replaced them with clappers and hands made of foam. I sit in the stands (and on my couch at home) instead of standing on the sidelines. I wear jerseys instead of thick polyester skirts. I live and breathe football during the fall months and even into the training season. I do not care what anyone else says, it is the only true American past time. So, back to the post - it is time for Super Bowl 43! Though none of my 'teams' made it this year, it is still an exciting time of the year. This past weekend, I stood inches from the Lombardi trophy that will be handed to (hopefully) the Steelers this coming Sunday. I was a VIP participant at the NFL Experience in Tampa, FL. I walked away with rosy cheeks, a broken toe and sore muscles. Though I am not cut out for the NFL I can say that I have a greater respect for those that are. My body was busted up by the age of 14 so to those guys that are pushin' 40, my hat goes off. Here is to the guys with ginormous hands and gargantuan muscles ... SB43, 02/01/09 ...

As one final thought, we, as humans, also take life for granted. We do not appreciate the time we are given as we should. In recent months, I have realized in a very big way that life has no guarantee. Death does not have standards, although some make it a little easier to welcome it. We take for granted our freedoms and liberties, as well as those special things and / or people in our lives that make life worth the living. Being a former Psych major and sitting in on more than my fair share of meetings, it is true that there is always something to live for. Always. Whether it be a chance to run into a former sweetheart, or a chance to tell someone dear how much they mean, or even a chance to vote - there is always a reason for life, no matter how cruel it can sometimes be. Death is never easy - not when it is expected nor when it is not expected. We all mourn differently and we all take something from a loss. I believe our true character is revealed when we have lost something major or when we have hit rock bottom. Those who know what suffering is, no matter what type it may be, are the ones that either come out shining or get stuck in the ruts of the mud.

Life is precious. Life is short. Live for the moment and in that moment find all that makes it worthwhile.

Until next time ...