Behind Every Door...

Do you ever stop and take a moment to reflect on your past and how you got to this point? I do it all the time. I believe I've grown to appreciate life more through the reflections; to trust it more.

I know, too often, we're faced with really difficult decisions. Decisions where you veer left or take a hard right. There is no gray area. These times bring a great deal of stress and anxiety for many of us. Sometimes people look back and really regret their decision, but what if you look at it from a different perspective?

I don't think there is a right or wrong decision when it comes to paths taken in life. If you go left, it will put you on a different road than if you chose to go right, but it's not wrong! I have made some decisions that I wanted to regret sometimes. Dated a bad guy once. Endured some stuff that I never would wish upon anyone, but I don't let myself regret it. In fact, I'm thankful for that relationship! If it weren't for that relationship, I wouldn't be living where I do or have some of the strong friendships that were spawned from that painful relationship. There was a reason why I entered that relationship. There was a reason I crossed paths with that boy. It took over two years for me to come to that understanding.

I truly believe that every big decision you make is just another intersection on your road of life. "When one door closes, God opens a window." I'm sure you've heard that quote before. My Pastor, Andy Stanley took another approach, similar in meaning, that I loved. He said that God uses one opportunity to bring us to another opportunity. I think back to my decision to find an apartment of my own in the city. So many factors had to be considered: where in the city, what budget can I afford, etc. I chose what I felt in my gut would be the best for me even though I had many that disagreed. Through that decision, I have met some of my closest friends, a community that allowed me to have my own pup (my biggest wish), I have ended up working for the complex and I have yet to see what else stems from that decision.

Sometimes it's just fun to think, "What if I chose B instead of A? I wonder what my life would be like?" But always appreciate the journey. When you take moments to stop and reflect, you can see how fast life really does pass us by! Embrace it. Continue to chase your dreams. And be thankful for your past.

Just Friends?!

Harry: No man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally: So, you're saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry: No. You pretty much want to nail 'em too.

~When Harry Met Sally

I used to work for someone who made a living entertaining people through their dating and relationships questions. One topic that I saw come up a lot (and have personally chatted about on nights out with the girls) is the question... Can guys and girls really be just friends?!

Just this past weekend a bunch of us gals went to see "No Strings Attached" and got to talking about if a relationship like that could be pulled off! Frankly, I wish it could! Sometimes in your life you need a little fun, but don't have the time or desire for a full on relationship. I personally am not a very mushy girl - in fact mushy/needy makes me run the other way. So sometimes I think I'd be prefer a casual relationship. Though I feel like it's still more acceptable for guys to pull this off. That, or guys are better at pulling off a 'no strings attached' relationship. Of course they rarely work out... someone either falls or jealousy takes over.

But aside from that... we often hear the joke "being put in the friend zone!" So... can guys and girls successfully be JUST FRIENDS? The quote at the top of the blog, from the movie "When Harry Met Sally," tells us no. My brother and law would agree with that quote. As he says, "No normal man would ever say I want to be just friends and continue to hang out with the girl all the time!" I was recently cast into the "friend zone" for the first time in my life. My bro-in-law and all my fellow (guy) agents think that's impossible. They believe that if I were interested in a dude, he's not going to want to be just friends! Guess that might be how the man brain works?! While that's a nice compliment, I have to disagree!

There have been some guys that I've crossed paths with that have alluded to trying the dating thing. First, I'm not a big "dater" just never been a big fan. Second, there have been times where I wouldn't even venture down that path for fear that I would lose that guy as friend if the dating thing didn't work out, so I say no before even giving it a try! *Might be why I'm still single - ha ha!* Some people you just don't see in that light, but think they are an incredibly great person! Some of my best relationships are with my guy friends. They're relaxed, usually drama free, and honest. What you see is what you get! That is what I found my friendships with guys to be like, and I cherish those friendships.

So... what do you think? Can guys and girls be just friends?! Or does sex get in the way making it too complicated?!

What's Worse - Fakers or Haters?!

"You can't brown nose your way to success..."

There are many great things about the social media world; there are many annoying things as well. The tweets, the status updates, the tweets posts that are connected to Facebook - it's everywhere! I was perusing them all the other day, and I discovered something. When taking a moment to look at someone's tweets or posts... you can really see who the brown nosers and fakers are!

Some things really got under my skin. Many of the folks that are my facebook "friends" or that I follow on twitter are in the Entertainment Industry with me. And I know... I've heard it enough that you have to save face and wear your "musician" mask when you're in this industry. And when I first started out, I bought into it. But now I see that's a bunch of bull! It is far from difficult to remain true to yourself and a good person in this market as long as you keep your morals in check. Oh and actually put forth some hard work.

I do believe it is necessary to be nice to everyone. Even if you wouldn't want to have a personal relationship doesn't mean you can't have a business relationship with them. Here's what gets me though... When someone is hating on someone else; talking trash behind their back but then goes and tweets about how AMAZING they are. Or when someone says what a BEAST another artist is, when not too long ago they were saying how awful they were and shouldn't be famous. THAT bothers me. If you don't like them, then you don't like them. Why go out of your way to lie just to gain another superficial friend?

I hate seeing those fakers fooling so many people. I've never understand how someone can keep up with that fake persona... it would be too exhausting. So what's worse... the fakers or the haters? In all honesty... the fakers are the haters! They are brown nosing everyone in site because they are trying to steal any bit of attention that they can. I sure hope that quote is true and they won't be able to brown nose their way to success.