foreign soil.
we were on foreign soil.
we had made it this far, on so little time
but now we were here.

looking around, i expected to see things that were different
but never like this
we were on foreign soil.

I have been determined only a few times in my life.  We misuse this word alot, but really, it comes down to a drive inside us to do whatever it takes to accomplish this thing.  That is determination.

The dictionary defines it as: "Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it."

I was determined in pursuing my wife.  I was determined in pursuing my calling.  I was determined to follow God.  I was determined to graduate college.

Being determined means there is something pulling you in the opposite direction.  Whether it be a nay-sayer, some obstacle you might not make it over, or even your past.  Being determined comes with its challenges.

No one has ever woken up and said, "I'm going to be determined today...  Maybe."
This sounds ridiculous but we do that every day! There are many things in life that we say we are determined at, but then at first trouble we bail.  Or we hold off until second, or third, or maybe even the 300th trouble, and we bail.

Being determined doesn't mean never failing, but it does mean not quitting.

In college, I failed alot.  I wanted to give up many times.  You see, I don't learn the way the education system teaches.  Due to my imaginitive and creative thinking, along with my ADHD, it is hard for me to retain knowledge by reading, and many times writing.  A doctor actually told me once that I had selective hearing (its a real thing!), and that during class, I could easily miss sentences in my notes, where I just don't notice them.  So I had to get my notes, notes from a friend, and notes from a professor to cross reference.  And again, I don't study well.
But I was determined to finish in four years, to start my life.  I did everything I could to graduate, despite the odds.  It meant me swallowing my pride, and begging professors to let me into a class that could count for a requirement; it meant studying, which I was beyond terrible at.  It meant emotional breakdowns becoming more and more common the closer I got to graduation.  But I pushed through.

This isn't an excuse or a 'woe is me' story, but rather a story of victory, of motivation! We need more of that in today's world I think, motivation.  Determination can do some unbelievable things with just a little motivation and encouragement.

So what are you determined on right now? What are you pushing towards?

the poster hung for the world to see.
a man, wanted by those who wrote the laws, for crimes against their taste.

most people never noticed the poster, just walking nonchalantly by.  but others based their entire perception of the world on them.  if a neighbor or friend found themselves on the wall of wanted men, these people would be cast from normal society by those who deem the wall judge and executioner.

but the wall is no judge, no jury.  no executioner.  the wall is no parole officer.  the wall is a wall.
the wall of wanted men.

The sound of the weights colliding with each other. Clang clang clang.
The breaths of repetition could be felt as you entered the room.
Each person beating their body into submission.
Each person defying the limits of their body.

'your cheap' she said, glancing over her shoulder in the store.

'excuse me? you don't know me.' he said looking over his glasses.

'you just seem like that type of person, i didn't mean any offense. hi' and stuck out her hand.


www.oneword.com is an online writing exercise that you can try for free.

I promise to be strong for you.
To make sure you never fall to far,
and if you do, I'll surely pick you up.

Because strength isn't about repetitions or weights, but about stubbornness and willingness combining in a singular, beautiful fashion.

And I promise that for you.

Tables.
Topped with flowers.
Across the entire room.

People were eating off of them, leaning against them, and sitting on them.

But no one noticed the tables.
No one could pick the tables out of a lineup.

I had been to the bench only once before.  When I first met you.  You wore blue while the rest of the world wore green.

I sat next to you and said hello, you looked at me and took my hand.



visit oneword to test your writing skills.  you have 60 seconds and one prompt word, and an empty text box- you do the rest.

Check out this site: www.oneword.com.  Its an awesome writing tool.  They give you a word, and you have 60 seconds to write.  


My first word: Mango.  here is what I wrote:

He looked at the fruit on the table. “Do you think fruits feel happiness?”

“Maybe, maybe not.” She said, looking away from him. They had been sitting at the table for hours, talking about fruit. All the while staring deep into each others souls.

“I like to think that they do.”

You get one word a day.  You have 60 seconds.  Ready... Set... Think! (Wow, that sounded a lot lamer than I thought it would, and I was pretty sure it would sound extremely lame)

 You can keep track of it, login, share, its awesome!  Go check it out!

And when you do- check out my profile.  I will post my entries from there here, under the category 'one word'.