So it begins!

Welcome to my first original post on my very first personal blog.  As you've already read by the description, I'm utilizing this as a tool to look at the past, take an objective look at the present, so I can make choices in the future that will help me on the path to becoming the man I want to be.  To that effect, I've posted all the "notes" I had written on Facebook over the last several years.  They will help to give insight into my maturity level and state of mind accordingly.

I can honestly say that I've matured and grown more in the past year than I ever have before.  Lately I'm looking at the world through a whole new perspective, able to see the big picture more clearly, and think more about my choices before I make them.  Having said that, I've also found myself repeating old patterns of behavior when I get frustrated, upset, or depressed.  Today, I'm living through one of the most difficult times of my life.  However, I can't help but notice the lessons I am learning from this experience. 

I am learning to see the ever higher hurdles as challenges to rise against, instead of falling back in retreat.  I'm finding the harder I work to make it over these hurdles, the more confident I feel about myself, and the more I look forward to facing the following day.  It's not always easy, and I have had the thought "This couldn't possibly get any worse." countless times, right before it gets worse.  I've almost given up several times.  Had it not been for my incredible mother, and the most amazing circle of friends to ever walk the earth, I just might have given up.  I am fortunate in that respect.

From this day forward, my posts will contain the events (and adventures) that are significant to me in some way, unique thoughts and concepts running through my mind, or even just a tool to release some of the intense emotions I tend to feel.  This will be a healthy way to put it down, get it outside of myself, and share a large part of who I am with anybody who cares to know.  This blog will contain thoughts and opinions that even those who know me closest might not know are within me.  This is a new way for me to look at myself, and you to understand more about me.

Welcome to my Colorful Shades of Grey...