By the Way I'm a Black Belt

Dear Life,

Are we seriously doing this again? Is it that time to throw everything you have at me and see if I survive it AGAIN? Well, (brushes off shoulders and proceeds to walk towards the battle we call Life) I have news for you sir, I will! And I'll do it with my hands tied behind my back and a smile on my face. Bring it!

Glori (Black Belt in Life)

Our Greatest Potential Can Not Be Reached Alone

If we were meant to live life alone, why on earth would what other people do and say affect people so much, why would it hurt so much to lose someone you love, or suck when best friends move away, or even more simply why would we have pets? Just all the more proof that we were meant/made to live life together in companionship...it makes sense no other way.

The Sleep Fairy is No Longer Getting a Christmas Card

Ok...wide awake at 5 am.  something is wrong with this picture. Is this what happens when you don't go out and drink on a Friday and Saturday night??? The sleep fairy f*cks you and basically says "you don't get any fairy dust to help you sleep tonight...you don't need it like all the other drunk bastards or functioning alcoholics do!".  Well sleep fairy...you are no longer on my Christmas card list...hope you're happy.

Self Soothing or Just Prolonging the Misery

Since when does growing up mean checking out of life? I feel like there are so many children running around in adult bodies anymore. I'm starting to wonder if it's a good thing that when we are adults we are allowed to legally self soothe. Sometimes I feel like people actually dealt with a lot more of their issues when they were younger and didn't have the choice to ignore them. We spend so much time soothing ourselves that we forget entirely that adulthood means actually growing up, taking responsibility for things, having no excuses, making the tough choices. Is there anyone that stares their problems in the face and sits down and solves things or figures out how to make things or be better anymore? Why are we so afraid of change and new chapters in life and of failing? Fear is crippling. And truth will set you free. Own it. Live it. I'll end my rant here.

The Internet Says So

On day 8 of not smoking for me. Here's what we have gone through within...
20 MINUTES: Blood pressure drops to normal. Pulse rate drops to normal. Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal. (So I didn't really need to buy those Uggs to keep my feet warm? And does that explain why I got ridiculously hot last night in the middle of sleeping and had to take my socks and pants off?)
8 HOURS: Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal. Oxygen level in blood increases to normal. (This one is boring...yay...my blood breathes better! (insert a super "excited" face here))
24 HOURS: Chance of heart attack decreases. (Always a plus when you also sign up to have your ass whooped every day at the gym. Ass whooping + smoking = heart attack...good to know that can now be avoided.)
48 HOURS: Nerve endings start regrowing. Ability to smell and taste is enhanced. (AKA you feel like you just got turned into a vampire with super senses. Do you think the ability to taste will also harbor an ability/want to cook? Lol).
So...here's the next 2 steps we are looking forward to...
2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS: Circulation improves. Walking becomes easier. Lung function increases up to 30%. (Was walking really that hard before???  I hope that relates to running as I have 3 months til my first mud run!)
1 TO 9 MONTHS: Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. Body's overall energy increases. (On the real, I really don't need any more energy. I might never sleep. But I could start thinking about changing my life goal to becoming a superhero if it does happen.) :)