As birds take wing, they sing through life; so why can't we?

*Photo credit to Bell X1; found on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/bellx1
Isn't that awesome? Bell X1 is launching an acoustic tour! And right after I mentioned them in my last post, too. :) But if you want to see them in Nashville, The Basement is strictly a twenty-one and up venue. Which is ironic, because lately I've been shocked over how old I am (I'll be twenty in January), but now I'm sad because apparently I'm too young to see one of my favorite bands. Oh, well. I think I'd rather be too young for something than too old for it.

Anyway, it's raining hard down here in Tennessee. As we've been experiencing a drought, this is good news. I haven't seen rain in months. It was getting to the point where I no longer remembered what it looked like.

If you'd like to hear a nice rain song, check out R.E.M.'s aptly named "I'll Take The Rain" from their album Reveal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlIj6BxUS6E

So enjoy your day, whether you're old or young and whether it's raining for you or not. And have another picture from my photography.

~

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." - Luke 6:37 (the mercy of God is astounding; I think this statement from Jesus demonstrates this concept)

I always know where you're coming from.

It's late at night here, but I just remembered that Bell X1 will be releasing a live acoustic album soon and wanted to share this with all the music fans out there:

http://www.bellx1.com/shop/FieldRecordings.htm

For those who don't know, Bell X1 is an Ireland-based band that is, frankly, a lyrical beast. Go listen to "Beautiful Madness" if you don't believe me. Or "Eve, the Apple of My Eye." They are just that good, my friends. :)

And for those who aren't huge fans of awesome music, there's always the new film The Amazing Spider-Man. Why, yes, I do occasionally go to the movies. And let's just say that this one lives up to the adjective in its title. Majorly. So go see it. If you disliked Tobey Macguire as Spider-Man, go see it (Andrew Garfield is nothing like him). If you have a fondness for C. Thomas Howell (who played Ponyboy in the film The Outsiders), go see it (he's not a huge character, but he has a few lines and is definitely cool as usual). And finally, if for some strange reason you like the Sheen family, go see it. No, Charlie thankfully does not make an appearance; Martin Sheen plays Uncle Ben winningly. :)

Now you've been recommended some Bell X1 and even a movie. Hooray! Also, here's a picture for reading my opinions:

This here was taken by me. It's Jason Castro, y'all, from when I saw him in concert last month.


Finally, I will leave you with some things I've learned lately:

1. Stand up for yourself and others. Sometimes speaking up is the right thing to do. It may be hard to tell someone you're angry with him or her, but if it's a serious matter, you should definitely confront them. Why go around pretending all of the time? We're not puppets on a string. And I don't ever want humanity to lose the freedom to choose what is right from what is wrong. God gave us that freedom, and humans have no right to take that away.

2. Life is hard, unfair, and good all at the same time. Appreciate it. Even in the midst of struggle and disappointments, there are still always going to be things to look forward to. And for that matter, there are things that are good right now. The present is a wonderful time.

3. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are the best fictional couple ever, and credit is due J.K. Rowling for making them up.

Okay, so the last thing listed wasn't all that intelligent, but I wanted to lighten the mood a bit. :) And what better way to lighten the mood than to make a Harry Potter reference? I love that series.
All right. I know when it's time for me to get some sleep. So enjoy the life you have, and don't look back so much at things that don't matter. Here and now is all we have on this earth. Don't waste your time, and look to God for the answers. Always.

~

 ^"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." - Deuteronomy 4:39