Everything Happens For A Reason. "Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt."

Ever since I was a child, when I've felt down in the dumps or had plans fall through, people have always told me, "everything happens for a reason." Perhaps I bought into that sentiment when I was a clueless kid wearing heart-shaped glasses, but as an adult(ish) I have refused to ever believe that. Still . . . I wonder.

Back in the summer of 2009, before Charlie Sheen had tiger blood and Miley Cyrus started twerking, I planned on graduated college by spring of 2013 - plans change. Four plus years, more short-term jobs than I’d care to think about, an excessive amount of car repairs, a cancelled engagement, and more homework than anyone should have to do in life and I’m still in school. In fact, I’m going to be staying in school for yet another semester and will be leaving Iowa State with a degree in May. But I digress.

Since my tween years I’ve always wanted to have things planned out. It’s not that I fear change, I tend to embrace it, it’s that I hate uncertainty; I hate not knowing things. If I sit down to watch a movie with someone who has already seen it and I’m actually enjoying it, then I don’t stop asking them, “What happens next? Do they die? Does this happen?” I’m the same way with life in general. I want to know what is going to happen, when, how, and if there is anything that I can do to expedite the process. When my big plans fall apart, so do I.

Recently, however, I have realized that that is a silly thing to do. Not because sulking doesn’t get you anywhere but because most of my failed plans have led to greener pastures. Had I graduated seven months ago like I was suppose to, my life would look very different right now and I’m not sure how much I’d actually like it.

I never would have had my current internship, which would’ve meant failing to meet countless amazing people and remaining oblivious to the Iowa music scene (and it is fantastic!). Iowa would definitely not be the state that I’d currently be calling home and I wouldn’t be thinking about possibly throwing a festival of my own some day. Plus last month I met a pretty incredible girl. She’s smart, funny, creative, kind, and whether she believes it or not, she is going places and I wouldn’t mind tagging along (not sure that'll happen, but I'll find out).

Today I am a very different person than I was even just a few months ago – a better person, too.  I may never be able to break my habit of making major plans (and I probably should have some plans). I may never be able to properly write one of these posts without getting distracted by the music playing in my head. I may never accept that everything happens for a reason (which is still up for debate), but I don’t have to because somehow things will simply work themselves out (with a little push).

For staying until the end . . . 

(Sometimes) Opinionated

I don't think that people should have political careers. It's not that politics and politicians shouldn't exist, they should. What I mean is that if someone decides to work in politics, then I believe that they should only be allowed to do so for a predetermined amount of time.

This would serve multiple purposes and hopefully resolve some problems. Today, many politicians are not willing to make tough calls or unpopular decisions. They are worried about making everyone like them, so that they can get reelected. But if reelection didn't matter, if they weren't selfish, then they'd be able to take on these challenges.

Running for office should be a public service, a selfless act. So, why has it become a selfish one? Money plays an entirely too big of a role - from campaigns to conventions. If political careers didn't exist, then there would be no room for selfishness, the type of people running for political office would be different, and there would always be new blood.

I know that this little dream of mine will never happen. We're too entrenched in our old ways. Everyone reaches for white or black, calls themselves a republican or democrat, and forgets that there are more colors in the crayon box, more directions to go. Our current government shutdown (which is absolutely ridiculous) is evidence of this my way or the highway mentality.

I could write about this a whole lot more and invest more energy into coming off a bit more eloquently, but then I'd just end up losing myself in frustration and rage over our current political system.

*raises glass* Here's to change.

Everyone Should Believe In Something

Everyone should have their own passions and beliefs, but there are still guidelines to follow.

1. Don't attempt to force your beliefs on anyone.

2. Don't believe anything that causes harm (of any kind) to anyone (including yourself, but especially anyone else).

3. Don't allow yourself to be completely blind. Think for yourself.