And So It Begins...

Ahhh........... As I sit here alone in the hotel room anticipating a check-in, I can only fill my head with thoughts of this three month adventure ahead.

With Bon Iver playing in the background, and Will Smith on the T.V. screen, I don't believe I could be more satisfied with the day.

Excitement and fear are a beautifully intertwined mixture that leaves you bewildered and anxious.

When you become all to ready to leave home and ready for something new, you can sometimes not seem grateful for some of the things you left behind. There are so many people who I would never trade for anything; the ones who fulfill true friend status, and allow life to be enjoyable. I began to remember some of the great people in my life, so here we go.

My family is amazing: always have been there and never will cease.

The overflow crew: what a summer of people who strive for something more. who don't strive " to make a living, but to make a difference".

Patrick Callaway: for riding with me the whole trip for no other purpose but to give me company. And then fly right back to get to Denver.

Quirky blonde: you know.

The Riordan's: Music is our passion. What a great group of boys to play along with and then:

Jonathan and Marcus: the craziest friends you can have. We have stories galore and hearts for God. Music wouldn't be instilled in me without these two.

and the Swaggas: ha, nothing else to say.

Kindness.

I pray that I never write anything out of spite or directly aimed at someone intentionally, but something the other day caught my thought. So hopefully, this is not a slander but a general assessment that I saw through a few specific events.

I believe that their are two types of kindness. Both types portray the good act of kindness, but one has a secret motive of negative connotation. The first kindness is beautiful and real, full of thought and creativity with a touch of unconditional. It has no other motive but than the genuine care for people. It is honest, beautiful, and incorruptible.

This kindness is portrayed by people who do it for the mere love of humanity and others.

The second type, the mischievous kindness, has a reflection at first glance that can be mistakenly perceived as pure and wholesome. It gives a warm opening and is very aggressive(which can be a good thing) but this kindness is mostly due to "show." It is only acted upon due to a sense of responsibility; as if it is a gift for others that needs to be given. People who display this type of kindness act as if they are superior to others and believe that their kindness is a "need" for others. They place themselves on their own pedestals and judge aimlessly. They have all the right answers and barely make mistakes.( Except for the ones that allow them to be "seen" as humble.) They always correct with "kindness", judge with "kindness", and put their two cents in with "kindness." And if they speak to you, that "IS" kindness.

This kindness is the epitome of fake, and nobody needs fake kindness.

Jesus spoke of the love of God as unconditional. Something so powerful and great, we may never fully understand it. The kindness he gave, although far more greater, can be seen as a glimpse in the first type of kindness mentioned earlier. This type of kindness is based on a "want too" and not on a "have too."; a hidden ambition, not a showy display. Sadly enough though, Christian's these days portray the second. We place ourselves as better people who live purer, walk straighter, and act nicer. We are kind because it's our job, and we do it because it looks good on paper.

We've lost the Jesus way, and created our way.

Its the kindness behind closed doors that Jesus portrayed. The kindness that never stopped no matter the cost of popularity or status, or the length of time or effort. Kindness doesn't make people better than anyone, and isn't needed to be shown just because you are a good person.

It should be an all-across-the-board, non-selective, pure, behind-closed-doors, Jesus-portraying kind of life.

A lifestyle that doesn't fit into a mold, but expresses itself in love.