I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the inside. I do not mean that the ghosts may not wish to come out of hell, in the vague fashion wherein an envious man 'wishes' to be happy: but they certainly do not will even the first preliminary stages of the self-abandonment through which alone the soul can reach any good. They enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have demanded, and are therefore enslaved: just as the blessed, forever submitting to obedience, become through all eternity more and more free. -----C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
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So as I turn 21 and step into 'manhood' I realize exactly what that entails. I am expected, and self-required, to have the willingness to make sacrifice and to do it with a sound mind and a good heart. This however does not mean that I am to have 'good intentions' but rather be true with deed and action. Especially in this day where people's "word" is a wishy-washy suggestion rather than commitment, I can only aspire to use all of my free will to form a solid foundation with what I say.
More and more as my life goes on I will be given people's trust, and as a man, the credentials of my reputation and everything I stand for will be based on what I do with those gifts that are given to me.
This is not to say that I am perfect or even expect to be close, but rather, even in my times of failure and mistakes, I will be humble; never being to 'good' to apologize or make things right. This act seems somewhat easier to do when I am actually in the wrong, but to do this when committing an offense within confrontation, whether I am right or not, that is the separating line.
Even now as I sit hear writing this, I realize that, even greater than sacrifice in any form, I need to have mercy and grace. We, as humans, in are self-surviving, self-sustaining ways, are way to quick to point and blame. I'm saying these things with my own conviction as well, because I am far from innocent in these matters. But if we can step out of that norm that is almost expected of us, and we can say with meaning, things such as "It's ok." and "I forgive you.", how much easier would life be? If we could simply, not really overlook per say, but acknowledge the fact that everyone is simply human, and realize that we as such are 'forever' doomed to make mistakes, and not get so fired up over the trivial things in life.
Now this last statement is almost contradictory in a way, in the sense that yes, we are guaranteed to get angry and 'blow-up' from time to time, but I think we should try, harder than we do, not to let the mistakes of others get us so riled up. Who knows, maybe even in doing such people will have more grace upon us, and I don't know about you but I'm never hesitant to accept a little myself.

So as I conclude I vow to do all these things previously stated and I hope in you reading this you may be "enlightened" if you will.
God bless.

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u have my

~ElectroBaby
~GoHome
~illixim
~LostPyroKitten
*lucidstuntman
~rayaneaj
~LadyCrimson

not necessarily in that order