Lone Survivor

Sometimes we can forget that freedom isn't really free.

Its payed for by the lives of those willing to put their lives on the line to protect what we tend to take for granted.  Lone Survivor tells the story of a Navy SEAL, Marcus Luttrell, the only survivor of Operation Redwing.  11 navy seals lost their lives during the operation in 2005.

The men who fight for our freedom are true heroes.  Let's not take their sacrifice for granted, and more more importantly never forget those who die defending all of us from the lunatics who want to kill us all. 

They are true heroes.

Never forget.

#realtalk

Let's keep this brief....

My name is Ben Griffin.

Thanks to those who read my blog and left comments on my posts!

I remember when it was easy to forget

I remember when it was easy to forget.

Before life swooped in and decided it was time to turn off the show.

Before my memories consisted of a few dozen pictures on my phone.  

Before I hated social media because all it does is remind me that everyone else is having the time of their lives, and all I want to do is go back to the time when I was too.

Before remembering was all I had left.

Before all of this.

I remember when goodbye meant, see you tomorrow, and not, see you in a few years....maybe.

I remember when we hiked to the top of Timp to see the sun rise on another day, forgetting that it was one day less.  

I remember gazing at the stars as we fell asleep on top of the house boat in Lake Powell wishing that I could stop time and somehow prevent it from ruining everything.  

I remember when yesterday was today and tomorrow would never happen.

I remember when Santa was real and the tooth fairy existed because when I lost a tooth I magically became a dollar richer.

I remember elementary school and playing football at recess because someday I would play in the NFL.

I remember entering seventh grade and thinking that I was David and the ninth graders were Goliath.

I remember ninth grade and thinking that I was the shiz because hello, oldest in the school....and then sophomore year happened....

I remember when it was easy to forget.

I remember a friendship that became a brotherhood.

I remember last summer because everyday was how I imagined life is supposed to be.  It was the time of my life and every day I remind myself and remind myself and remind myself, because when the day comes that I forget I will have completely lost what I am so hopelessly, desperately trying to hold on to.  And I can't let that happen.

I remember when it was easy to forget, but now all I want to do is remember.

Because if I stop remembering I will slowly lose what I can't afford to let go.

I remember because that is who I am.  

I remember...I remember...I remember...

Black Out

Life or death, which one will it be?

The heart is an incredible thing.

With every beat there is a feeling.  With every pump, an emotion.  

Maybe thats why heartache is a million times worse than a headache.

Wounds to the heart run deep.  They last for years.

With every beat there is pain.  With every pump, sadness.

The muscle inside my chest causes me more pain than if I bruised and tore every other muscle in my body.

The thing keeping me alive can slowly kill me.

I can try running from it but it is pointless.

I cant run away from my own heart, if anything, the faster I run the harder it beats.

Harder and harder until all I can feel is the pounding inside of me and all I can hear is the unceasing beats thumping against my chest.

Its beating me to death.

But the heart isn't supposed to feel pain.

It is the symbol of the thing that all humans live for: love.

With every beat there is life.  With every pump, happiness.

The heart may at times cause pain but it also can supply the greatest form of joy known to man.

Its all I ever want to feel, and is why I want to live.

Love.  A life without it is as pointless as a book with no conclusion, as a beginning without an end.

The moment I feel it I'm addicted, and keep coming back for more.  And more.  And more.

I can never get enough of it.  

Its what I live for.

I spend days searching for it, and seem to forget that its all around me.

Its inside of me.

The thing keeping me alive can kill me, but it can also save me.

And its all from the heart.

The thing that can cause the most pain can bring the most joy.

So which one will it be?

Nature, Humans, and Human Nature

True beauty is yet to be touch by the hands of humans.

The way the canyon and the tress look during in October
The peace of the valley blanketed by a blanket of new snow in December
The blossoms of May and the summer sun of June.
The fall sunsets, the life of summer, the winter snow and the emerging world of spring.

Artists try to depict nature in the paintings, cameras can capture an image, but none can truly compare the beauty produced by this world.

Mother nature is an artist
The most gifted artist the world has ever or will ever see.

Nature-
That is what true beauty is
And nothing man makes can even touch it.
Strip away the material creations of man and all that is left is pure untouched beauty.

It seems the same can be said of human nature.
When uncorrupted it is pure.
When untouched by others and vain things it is as it is supposed to be.
Take away the vain and corrupted aspects of our lives and all that is left is who we truly are.
Who we are supposed to be.

What really matters...

What would it be like if we treated everyone like they were dying?

How would things be different?

How would we act?

What would really matter?

Stupid things like if someone is:

rich or poor

tall or short

strong or weak

good looking or not

smart or dumb

The list could stretch on....

these things wouldn't matter as much any more.

So, here's the newsflash for you.

We are all dying.

Well kind of, we are all going to die....and whats the difference really.

I am dying, but who knows it may take 80 years...but it will eventually happen

We are all on the same road, heading to the same destination.

We are all going to die - simple, redundant, cliché...well its true.

we are all going to die

So if we are all dying, why not treat others with the true respect they deserve?

In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter who drives the nicer car, or who can lift more weight, or who scores higher on a test?

it really doesn't 

That fact that we all will die is all that matters.

Live a life that you love, with the people you love, doing what you love.  That way when its over, even if its sooner rather than later, there aren't any regrets and coulda-woulda-shouldas.  That's what really matters.  

Treating people with the respect they deserve, that is all that matters.

Death shows that love, respect, and kindness are really all that matters.

So, let's remember what really matters.