Who. You. Are.

Whether you are a son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or friend, you must not forget a few things:


 1. You. Are. Important. Not a day goes by when you are not remembered for the subtleties: your caring smile, comforting hugs, or the way you seem to light up a room. You mean the world to so many people. Even though they may not tell you, or even show it, you have a way of changing people's lives. Thank you.


2. You. Are. Appreciated. You may think that your acts of kindness go unnoticed. They aren't. Thank you. Without you, things would be different, life would be harder, and some of the most precious memories would be forgotten. 


3. Your. Opinion. Matters. No matter how many times you have heard the words "I'm fine, I don't need your help" you proceeded to share your opinions and give advice anyways. I apologize on behalf of the stubborn people of the world. They should Thank you. You have helped more than you could have ever imagined. When you care about someone, don't take "no" for an answer. Continue to do whatever you can. Your opinions influence their success. Every decision you have helped them make has shaped them into the beautiful people you see today.


4. You. Are. LOVED. This is where the subtleties come in. Not everyone is confident enough to tell you they love you. You have to look for the signs. Sometimes it may seem hard to believe, but the signs are all around you. You are cared for. Accept it, Embrace it, and Share it with others.


5. You. Are. NOT. Alone. It's true. However often loneliness comes and goes, you are never alone. The Spirit is very much alive, at your side, and with you always, to get you through any situation. Take advantage of this opportunity. The Holy Spirit was given to us as a gift. This gift was given to help us get through hardships when Jesus left the Earth. If we weren't meant to use this gift, it wouldn't have been given. 


Now, there is a smile on my face because I may have just opened your eyes to the positive world around you. If you still do not feel as though you agree, at least remember that all prayers are answered. Whether you like the immediate result or not, there is careful reasoning behind every event. God does not neglect.
<3 Al

The "Little Things" in Life

As time goes by, we often hear about the "little things in life." I call them "the subtleties". Growing up Roman Catholic and being integrated into the Catholic school system was a great experience and I am very fortunate to have had that opportunity. Throughout my childhood, I was taught to call upon the Lord, praise him, thank him, and ask for his blessings. How often are we asked to LISTEN for God's answer.

When one calls upon the Lord,

There is no immediate reply.

There will be no angels harping,

or parting of the sky.

With God, it's often subtleties,

tiny acts of grace,

to try to create happiness

and restore a smiling face.

These graces often overlooked,

options never seen.

The Devil sneaks into the mind.

I'll tell you what i mean:

The mind is an everlasting space

to think and grow and love.

Only used correctly 

when following the man up above.

The Devil leads you to temptation,

to a life of sin.

But when you hear the CALL OF GOD,

you will always win.

As you view your life, the first things that you think of are the obvious ones. You see your friends, your family, schoolwork, duties at work, and the stresses in your life. More often than not, you forget about the little things in life, "the subtleties". There is more to life than the obvious. Subtleties are often taken for granted. As I began the year of 2011, things were nowhere near ideal. I continued to ask why things were the way they were, how things got that far, and if things would improve. I was calling to God but I was not looking for the subtleties. We must find happiness in our health, love in the smile of a stranger, and care in the greeting hug of a friend. More importantly than noticing "the subtleties" in YOUR life, be a part of creating subtleties for others.

<3 Al