Hold On (To Hope)

how.we.operate. · 05:33 AM

TibbySkye · 07:53 PM

This was my favorite thread! Thanks Nikki <3 before TH was reset, I visited it so many times. So let's get it back up!

March On by Good Charlotte
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-NN0rYcDI
Don’t cry
Open up your eyes and know
There’s someone else out there that feels this way

I’m singing to you
Cause I know what you’ve been through and now
It’s not so long ago I felt the same

Like soldiers
March on
If we can make it through the night will see the sun
March on, march on

I remember summer nights alone
Fireflies the only thing we own
All we ever dreams of California
I remember winters were so cold
Hunger was the only thing we know
And rock n’ roll dreamin’ was what saved us

Like soldiers
March on
If we can make it through the night will see the sun
March on, march on

Till we see the sun
Till we see the sun

Through the good times,
Through the bad times
Through the long days
Through the hard nights
Keep on till we see the sun

The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwfT0okfmEY (beautiful video imo)

I wanna have the same last dream again
The one where I wake up and I'm alive
Just as the four walls close me within
My eyes are open up with pure sunlight
I'm the first to know
My dearest friends
Even if your hope has burned with time
Anything that is dead shall be re-grown
And your vicious pain, your warning sign
You will be fine

Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin

Any type of love it will be showed
Like every single tree reach for the sky
If you're gonna fall
I'll let you know
That I will pick you up
Like you for I
I felt this thing
I can't replace
When everyone was working for this goal
Where all the children left without a trace
Only to come back as pure as gold
To recite this all

Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin
Tonight
Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin
Tonight
Hey oh here I am
And here we go
Life’s waiting to begin

I can not live
I can’t breathe
Unless you do this with me

Brave by Idina Menzel
(my favorite, gorgeous!) http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoID=27441831 Don't know just where I'm going
And tomorrow, it's a little overwhelming
And the air is cold
And I'm not the same anymore
I've been running in your direction
For to long now
I've lost my own reflection
And I can't look down
If you're not there to catch me when I fall.

If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave

All along all I ever wanted, was to be the light
When your life was daunting
But I can't see mine
When I feel as though you're pushing me away
Well who's to blame, are we making the right choices
Cause we can't be sure if we're hearing our own voices
As we close the door even though we are so desperate to stay

If this is the moment I stand here on my own
If this is my rite of passage that somehow leads me home
I might be afraid
But it's my turn to be brave
If this is the last chance before we say goodbye
At least it's the first day of the rest of my life
I can't be afraid
Cause it's my turn to be brave

And I might still cry
And I might still bleed
These thorns in my side
This heart on my sleeve
And lightening may strike
This ground at my feet
And I might still crash
But I still believe

Don't Give up You Are Loved lyrics
(youtube took it down

)
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Every one needs to be heard
You are loved

Aly and AJ "No One"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdm7FJktDOM

I am moving through the crowd
Trying to find myself
Feel like a guitar that's never played
Will someone strum away?

[Chorus:]
And I ask myself
Who do I wanna be?
Do I wanna throw away the key?
and invent a whole new me
and I tell myself
No One, No One
Don't wanna be
No One
But me..

You are moving through the crowd
Trying to find yourself
Feelin' like a doll left on a shelf
Will someone take you down?

[Chorus:]
And you ask yourself
Who do I wanna be?
Do I wanna throw away the key?
and invent a whole new me
Gotta tell yourself
No One, No One
Don't wanna be
No One
But me..

Your life plays out on the shadows of the wall
You turn the light on to erase it all
You wonder what it's like to not feel worthless
So open all the blinds and all the curtains

No One, No One
Don't wanna be
No One
But me..

We are moving through the crowd...

FastForward2012 · 07:40 PM

This was also my favorite thread.

Deadstar Assembly-Breathe For Me
Saosin-You're Not Alone
Saosin-Collapse
Between the Trees-The Way She Feels
Seether-Take Me Away
Seether-Rise Above This
Rev Theory-Broken Bones (Kinda)
Paramore-Miracle!

Popo · 04:11 PM

Third Eye Blind-Jumper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwfAKFg-0-Y (small chance the video will be triggering?)
EDIT: got off my lazy a** and looked up the lyrics

I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand.
I would understand.

The angry boy,
A bit too insane,
Icing over a secret pain
You know you don't belong.

You're the first to fight,
You're way too loud,
You're The flash of light,
On a burial shroud,
I know something's wrong

Well everyone I know has got a reason,
To say,
Put the past away

I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand.

And well he's on the table,
And he's gone to code,
And I do not think anyone knows,
What they are doing here,

And your friends have left you,
You've been dismissed.
I never thought it would come to this,
And I, I want you to know

Everyone's got to face down the demons,
Maybe today,
We can put the past away,

I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend.
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
I would understand...

(I would understand)
(I would understand)
(Understand)

Ya ya ya ya ya...

Can you put the past away?

I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
I would understand

(I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, )
I would understand
(I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, )
And I would understand
(X2)

Marshmello Kid · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 7th 2009, 08:34 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBpq_...e=channel_page Girls Express. . . might trigger

sushi_error · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 7th 2009, 08:58 PM

Never Let Down - Andrew W.K.

TheNumber42 · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 7th 2009, 09:01 PM

Suicide Man by nocreeps

It's a free download on a site called Jamendo. They have a lot of Creative Commons licensed music there for free.

Anomaly · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 8th 2009, 04:07 PM

Stand in the rain - Superchick
Meant to live - Switchfoot
Miracles-Parmore
When it rains-Parmore
We are broken-Parmore
Red Sam-Flyleaf
The greatest of these-Between the Trees
East to West- Casting Crowns
Praise you in this storm- Casting Crowns

Moyshi · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 8th 2009, 04:19 PM

Life- Our Lady Peace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21fz4eQITro

How many times have you been pushed around?
Was anybody there?
Does anybody care?
How many time have your friends let you down?
Was anybody there?
Did anybody stare?

How many time have your friends let you down?
Just open up your heart
Just open up your mind
How many times has your faith slipped away?
Well, is anybody safe?
Does anybody pray?

Oh, Life is waiting for you
So messed up, but we're alive
Oh, Life is waiting for you
So messed up, but we'll survive

How many days have you just slept away?
Is everybody high?
Is everyone afraid?
How many times have you wished you were strong?
Have they ever seen your heart?
Have they ever seen your pain?

Oh, Life is waiting for you
So messed up, but we're alive
Oh, Life is waiting for you
So messed up, but we'll survive

She gets high
She gets lost
She gets drowned by the cost
Twice a day, every week, not a lie

She gets high
She gets lost
She gets drowned by the cost
Twice a day, every week, not a lie

Oh, Life is waiting for you
So messed up, but we're alive
Oh, Life is waiting for you
So messed up, but we'll survive
All messed up, but we'll survive

TibbySkye · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 8th 2009, 05:53 PM

So Small Carrie Underwood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUtFEKhtB30

What you got if you ain't got love
the kind that you just want to give away
its okay to open up
go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
you want to shut the world out and just be left alone
but don't run out on your faith

'cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
is just a grain of sand
and what you've been up there searching for forever
is in your hands
when you figure out love is all that matters after all
it sure makes everything else seem so small

it's so easy to get lost inside
a problem that seems so big at the time
it's like a river thats so wide
it swallows you whole
while you siting 'round thinking 'bout what you can't change
and worrying about all the wrong things
time's flying by
moving so fast
you better make it count 'cause you cant get it back

sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
is just a grain of sand
and what you've been up there searching for forever
is in your hands
oh when you figure out love is all that matters after all
it sure makes everything else seem so small

Perplexity · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 8th 2009, 06:30 PM

Ah, there is some great songs being posted which I think will help others, well done up to now guys.

Whenever I feel down, there are a couple of songs that really make me think and give me hope:

Something inside so strong - Labi Siffre (I don't know if anyone has already posted that, but it's a really inspirational song, well, for me it is.)

Everybody hurts - REM, Is another song that gives me hope. The lyrics just listening to them, makes me feel less alone and that everybody goes through some sort of pain at one point in their life.

I'll definitely add to this list at a later date when I can remember some more songs that provide hope. That's all I can think of right now!

Katieeee · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 8th 2009, 07:30 PM

[1] Broken- Lindsey Haun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mToG9qAYOg&feature=related

[2] All in All- Lifehouse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boWzaVkFSJM

[3] The Voice Within-Christina Aguilera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBXrG1Oj1lI

[4] How to Save a Life-The Fray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmFi2snLr7o

[5]To Write Love on Her Arms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHaFrS3TE04

love__me · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 9th 2009, 04:29 AM

I was just about to make a thread for this, good that i saw this one, though.

Breaking Benjamin-Untill The End
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=oKKpd5piitc
Miley Cyrus-Make Some Noise.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-6JRIIYBk
Miley Cyrus- Life's What You Make It.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=pecPSXur5oM
Miley Cyrus-Nobody's Perfect.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=r9FzPE9eQU4
Mariah Carey-Hero.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=MeipHCpY7wQ
Mariah Carey-Through The Rain.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=EetzQsoiknE
Mariah Carey-Can't Take That Away From Me.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=6a-bHVHO1SU
Mariah Carey(With Whitney houston)-When You Believe.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=CxIN79n4jVo

That's all i can think of for now, i'll edit and add more when more come to my mind.

Bibliophile · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 10th 2009, 03:38 PM

Fame-Bring on tomorrow.

We have arrived at a moment in our lives
When the future passes into out hands
We can find out, are we really strong enough
To fulfill what the future demands

We can stand on the edge
And look out into space
And be awed
By the wonders we see

We can all make a pledge
That the whole human race
Will become what we want it to be

Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine

We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait

Long, long ago in a world we never made
We were children who were making believe
Closing our eyes
We were travelers in air
To a land we would not want to leave

But the fairy tale land, fades away as we grow
And we all have to say our goodbyes
And we now understand, that this world that we know
Can be ours if we open our eyes

Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine

We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait

Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
It's not too late

Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait

Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine

We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait

Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait

MadPoet · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 10th 2009, 04:13 PM

Links:

Dare You To Move
Don't Stop Dancing
Swim
Use your telescope
Stars
The Way She Feels
Learning To Breathe
The Shadow Proves The Sunshine
This is your Life

*Faith* · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 11th 2009, 07:24 AM

Only have one but,,,

Third Eye Blind - Tunnel

I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
I can't begin to know what you're going through
I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you

Just remember what I've told you
There's so much you're living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shinin' bright at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
So keep holdin' on

You've got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Brings a new life for your eyes to see

So remember what I've told you
There's so much you're living for

Magical Forest. · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 11th 2009, 12:24 PM

Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand

When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holdin' on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just, stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you

There's nothing you can say (Nothin' you can say)
Nothing you can do (Nothin' you can do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth

So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear

Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side
I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend, Yeah yeah

Keep holdin' on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just, stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you

There's nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

Hear me when I say
When I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change
Nothing's gonna change destiny

Whatever's meant to be
Will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah..

La da da da, la da da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Keep holdin' on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you

There's nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh
Keep holdin' on
Ahh, ahh
Ahh, ahh

Keep holdin' on
There's nothing you could say
Nohing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So, keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through

soul

Use this thread to post any cute, inspiring, hopeful, or funny pictures, quotes, short stories, etc. I hope anyone who is feeling like letting go or having a bad day will come to this thread and get cheered up!

xoJust_Juliaxo

AWWWWWWWWWWW! Those are the cutest kittens i have ever seen they actually made me smile an remember when i spent a week alone with my one kitten who is now cat just play an bonding with her. Thanks for making me smile!

soul

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
-Joshua J. Marine

"In order to be walked on, you have to be lying down."
- Brian Weir

soul

It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through sickness we recognize the value of health; through evil, the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through exertion, the value of rest.
- Greek Proverb

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
- Mark Twain

At the timberline where the storms strike with the most fury, the sturdiest trees are found.
- Hudson newsletter

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.
-Bernice Johnson Reagon

Remember sadness is always temporary. This, too, shall pass.
- Chuck T. Falcon

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
- Japanese proverb

You're on the road to success when you realize that failure is only a detour.
- Anonymous

soul

More kittens for Julia!

TibbySkye

awww omg kittens!!
You can see my pets in my profile album

here are some baby animals

:

xoJust_Juliaxo

AWWWWW! I love the kittens and the baby animals are cute... lol oddly enough they bring back a really weird memory it was when i got my face painted when i was little . It got painted like a panthers .... i looked so cute lol.

TibbySkye

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxo_fallenangel_xoxo

AWWWWW! I love the kittens and the baby animals are cute... lol oddly enough they bring back a really weird memory it was when i got my face painted when i was little . It got painted like a panthers .... i looked so cute lol.

Ahh memories. I remember every year at the fair, I would get my face painted like a fairy with lots of glitter lol.

Quotes:

" It takes water and sunshine to make things grow."

" Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance."

" Everything is different through someone else's eyes."

" If it is meant to be, then it will happen, no matter what obstacles get in the way."

" Out of those 31,536,000 seconds in the year, have you taken the time to thank your parents for all that they have given you?

Out of those 525,600 minutes in the year, have you taken the time to thank those who have done something good for you?

Out of those 8766 hours in a year have you taken the time to thank your true friends for always being there for you?

Out of those 365 days in the year have you taken the time to thank your family for helping you grow and develop throughout your whole life?

In that 1 year, have you taken the time to thank all those that you forgot to thank in all the past years before that?

Always say thank you because you never know if there is going to be a tomorrow."

soul

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come
from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would
consider a bum.
From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no
money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times
that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't
want to be bothered times."
"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.
He didn't.
He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look
like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.
After a few minutes he spoke.
"That's a very pretty car," he said.
He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly
blond beard keep more than his face warm.
I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never
came.
As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if
he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true
to the inner voice.
"Do you need any help?" I asked.
He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.
We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from
those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an
outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.
"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum
in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge
shotgun.
Don't we all?
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I
needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus
fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those
three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter
how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you
have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or
a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.
They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different
perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from
daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Author Unknown

Equnoxe

Quote:

Originally Posted by soul

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come
from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would
consider a bum.
From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no
money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times
that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't
want to be bothered times."
"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.
He didn't.
He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look
like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.
After a few minutes he spoke.
"That's a very pretty car," he said.
He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly
blond beard keep more than his face warm.
I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never
came.
As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if
he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true
to the inner voice.
"Do you need any help?" I asked.
He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.
We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from
those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an
outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.
"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum
in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge
shotgun.
Don't we all?
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I
needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus
fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those
three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter
how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you
have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or
a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.
They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different
perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from
daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Author Unknown

i like that, it applies to me in some ways....

Just remember, on the other side of your greatest fears or your biggest challenges is your most deserved reward.

ScottishFriction

Even after a cold, dark night, the sun still comes up. There is always hope.

Marshmello Kid

ScottishFriction

Wow Reid how did they do that?? That's so cool"!

Marshmello Kid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deedlit

Wow Reid how did they do that?? That's so cool"!

Lol, I have no idea. . .

But it's pretty

soul

"Language does have the power to change reality. Therefore, treat your words as the mighty instruments they are - to heal, to bring into being, to nurture, to cherish, to bless, to forgive." - Daphne Rose Kingma

They are Singing Your Song by: Alan Cohen
When a woman in a certain African tribe knows
she is pregnant, she goes out into the wilderness
with a few friends and together they pray and
meditate until they hear the song of the child.
They recognize that every soul has its own vibration
that expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When
the women attune to the song, they sing it out loud.
Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone
else.

When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child's song to him or her. Later, when the child enters education, the village gathers and chants the child's song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come
together and sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his or her song.

Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the person's bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.

To the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community
form a circle around them. Then they sing their song to them.

The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another.

A friend is someone who knows your song and sings it to you when you have forgotten it. Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.

You may not have grown up in an African tribe that sings your song to you at crucial life transitions, but life is always reminding you when you are in tune with yourself and when you are not. When you feel good, what you are doing matches your song, and when you feel awful, it doesn't. In the end, we shall all recognize our song and sing it well.

You may feel a little warbly at the moment, but so have all the great singers. Just keep singing and you'll find your way home.

soul

The Awakening
by Sonny Carroll

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...
When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you
stop dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice
inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening...

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world, there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process, a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive and that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love; and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms, just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right, to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you, to glorify you with his touch and in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul; so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen, is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers; it's just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state; the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted; things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind, and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Spirits&Rainbows

'The world is full of ugly things that you can't change. Pretend it's not that way. It's my idea of faith.'

'It is a brave act to despise death; but where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live.'

'Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong' - Winston Churchill

Wishable

This is an amazing thread.

"Some people feel the rain, others just get wet"
- Bob Dylan

"Take a leap of faith, cast away your doubt
darlin come what may we can work it out
the first step's always the hardest one to take
its a leap of faith"
- Lionel Cartwright

"Only when its dark enough can you really see the stars"

Carpe Diem.
Sieze the Day.
Never give up.
There is always hope.

Anomaly

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson, 1936

Popo · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 13th 2009, 04:17 PM

Rise Above This - Seether (Really Really good!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO2nqcN3EGg

Take the light, undarken everything around me
Call the clouds and listen closely I'm lost without you
Call your name every day when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down but I'll rise above this, rise above this

Hate the mind, regrets are better left unspoken
For all we know, this void will grow
And everything's in vain, distressing you though it leaves me open
Feels so right, but I'll end this all before it gets me

Call your name every day when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down but I'll rise above this, rise above this
Call your name every day when I seem so helpless
I've fallen down, and I'll rise above this, rise above this doubt

I'll mend myself before it gets me
(I'll mend myself before it gets me)
I'll mend myself before it gets me
(I'll mend myself before it gets me)

Call your name every day when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down but I'll rise above this, rise above this
Forty eight ways to say that I'm feelin' helpless
I'm Falling down, falling down, but I'll rise above this, rise above this,
Rise above this, rise above this doubt

Just Julie

This thread is beautiful.
Life is beautiful.
That sunset was beautiful!
(sometimes their all that's worth living for..)

And when Soul posted "more kittens for julia!" it brought a smile to my face. As if it was there for me to find too! =]
(As I'm sitting here with my cat purring on my lap)

soul

"Those who look for beauty, find it."

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness." --John Keats

silentmuffin · **Re: Hold On (To Hope) NEW -** January 14th 2009, 04:32 PM

I apologize if I'm repeating any, I can't really keep track, just going by what comes to mind.

Blink 182 - Adam's Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmLa_W_afH4

Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TILCIRspO0

Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQR3P_Righk

Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJrXt5WVVZk

Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me (about grief and loss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scLcUfhd2kY

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-HPOHu8mY

Nickelback - Never Gonna Be Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oHQhjNkJtI

REM - Everybody Hurts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh57ACP6bA4

Simple Plan - I'm Just A Kid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXiV9EhDN4o

Simple Plan - Me Against The World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3VdqxS8mEs

Simple Plan - Perfect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9qt_59zoKM

Three Days Grace - Never Too Late
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWapziQ2mAk

I'll try and add more as I think of them.

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