When you can tell the story and it doesn't bring up any pain, you know it is healed.
—Lyanla Vanzant
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.
—Lao Tzu
Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
—Confucious
It's okay. It's okay to want someone you can't have. It's okay to keep friendships when you don't want them, or want something more. It's okay to cry when you're hurt and it's okay to stay mad at someone who hurt you.
Believe it or not, it's always going to be okay. That's just how it works.
Sometimes, things don't always work out the way you want them to, and a lot of times, it seems like they never will, but it's okay. That's how life's supposed to go.
It's all about learning how to deal with the bumpy parts in the road and waiting till they're smooth again. It's all about forgiving and forgetting. It's all about waiting and wishing.
That's just how life is.
Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.
—Unknown
The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel.
—Steve Furtick
In life, you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, some will love you, and some will teach you.
But the ones who are truly important are the ones who bring out the best in you. They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it's worth it.
—Unknown
It's okay to want someone you can't have. It's okay to keep friendships when you don't want them, or want something more. It's okay to cry when you're hurt and it's okay to stay mad at someone who hurt you.
Believe it or not, it's always going to be okay.
That's just how it works. Sometimes, things don't always work out the way you want them to, and a lot of times, it seems like they never will, but its okay. That's how life's supposed to go.
It's all about learning how to deal with the bumpy parts in the road and waiting till they're smooth again. It's all about forgiving and forgetting. It's all about waiting and wishing.
That's just how life is.
—Unknown
The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.
—William Morris
Zoe Means Life →
I just found that a new and dear friend of ours, Zoe Inciong passed away last night. I'm deeply saddened and inspired in so many ways. We've only met Zoe a few times, but her very being and strength as a 15 year old fighting Ewing Sarcoma.. is truly an inspiration.
I received an email back in September 2011 from a friend of a friend of the Inciong family, leading me to the blog entry of Zoe's mom, Maria. And in this blog, Maria mentions that Zoe is a fan of AJ Rafael and hopes to meet him one day. We finally got to make it happen in December 2011.
Since then Maria and I have kept in touch especially as Zoe's 16th birthday was coming closer and we wanted to see if AJ could visit Zoe during her trip to Disneyland from Make-A-Wish Foundation or perform for her birthday party. Scheduling wise we couldn't make it happen, until AJ called me the night before the party to tell me he was going to make it. It was an amazing moment we can't ever replace to see Zoe's reaction, and to feel the love of all of her family and friends.
Meeting Zoe is one of those things in life that really are meant to be. And even if we met her for a few moments, we are so much more honored to have met her. Zoe not only reminds us of the kind of impact music has on a person's life, but she's allowed me to take a step back and just remember the impact of human life. Many of us today have all lost someone to the battle of cancer, and I myself try to remind myself every day that one of the inspirations for working in the industry that I'm in today - is because of my best friend who passed away from Lymphoma Cancer. (Blog link)
We can find inspiration in Zoe, in all of our loved ones who have battled cancer, those who are battling it today, and most especially in the family and friends of those with them all the way.
God bless you Zoe. You've touched my heart in a way that changes and motivates me. Thank you. My prayers go out to Maria, Randy, Teo and the rest of the Inciong family. God bless you all.