Broken Heart

I think that it is normally more interesting to hear about the heart that has been broken from a relationship because then you get juicy details sometimes rivaling the drama of Kardashians, or entertainment magazines. No, I am not going to spill my guts or failed relationship attempts in this post, there is always time for that later (or never), but this morning I witnessed something that broke my heart in a different way.  

I was driving to a meeting on one of my town’s most trafficked streets, so stopping right away wasn’t an option, there were too many people driving like crazies late for work. I saw out of the corner of my eye a female running on the sidewalk, but she was wearing jeans and something didn’t seem right. I saw that not too far behind her was a man, and he suddenly took off running after her and he suddenly threw something at her. That is when I had to make a U-Turn because something has to be done when a person is in trouble! What I saw happened so fast that it took me a minute to get back to the location where I saw the interaction, but once I got there I saw that the man was gone and the “woman” was on the other side of the street…but in fact was also a man, dressed in a “pretty woman” outfit. Suddenly the whole thing was clear to me. And my heart broke.

People, we have to deal with our identity issues and insecurities now! Time is not always on your side, don’t wait. If you do not know whose image you bear, that you are a magnificent creature, a being more detailed and complex than anything else on this earth, then you are not going to live a life worthy of that complexity. I need to “soap-box-it” for a minute. I am tired of seeing girls bearing it all to attract some guy in order to feel valued. I am tired of seeing guys obsessed with video games because a game won’t create an opportunity for rejection. I am tired of seeing people work out like crazy to achieve a certain body image, when the purpose of being healthy and fit is to have a body that is most capable of being able to carry your personality, thoughts, and heart in ways that it can best interact with other people.  Ok, I am stepping off the soap box.

Because of whose image you bear, you are worth more than the life you have settled for. You are capable of great things, go for it! If something his holding you back in your thoughts, attack it. Walk in the opposite! For example, if you think nobody likes you (who doesn’t have that thought at some point?) so you shut yourself up indoors, then be proactive and find a group of people to hang out with. Yes, it may be awkward (see my post on awkwardness here), but so what?! Challenge yourself and get out there. We are all links in a chain, you need someone and someone needs you. Find a strong person to link up with and someone you can help. We live in a community (whether local or global) that needs strengthening, people, and it starts with you!

I have realized that I like to end my posts with a video to drive home a point. I know this one may seem long, but by now you should realize I do not suffer from bad taste, so watch it. Seriously, my mind was blown after I watched this video I do not own the first time. If you do not have much experience studying the Bible, then you can start the play button at 9:52.

 

 

 

 

 

More Good Stuff

We all want more good stuff.  I mean, you would be crazy to refuse if someone offered you more good stuff. So I have decided that when we say “no” to something good, it is probably because we don’t have the knowledge of what is being offered, OR, we don’t want to be uncomfortable and try new things.

I believe that Modesto has good stuff to offer. If we live here, let’s enjoy it! I think most negative conversations I have regarding this city are with people that don’t know what is offered here. I have personally been affected by the nation’s economic disaster, but I aim to show you the positives of this place so that we can re-build and invest here! Start trying new things, step out of your boring, restrictive box and get out there!

This past year I visited the Prospect Theater, a tiny little building located on the outskirts of the downtown area.  The Prospect Theater Project was brought to life by people who wanted a place to practice the arts on a regular basis. I visited on a night they had a poetry slam. I had NEVER been to a poetry slam before and was a little nervous because I thought it would be full of people snapping, dressed in gothic clothing, full of strong emotions and bad language…not my “typical" environment. I was partially right, but what I didn’t know was how freaking cool it was going to be. It was welcoming environment where people could be creative with words, an art form that I didn’t necessarily appreciate before (ironically, because I love to write).  Yes, there was some shocking content, but there was also some truth being spoken and truth is often shocking.  Visit their site here to read up on what else they offer.

Because I went to the Prospect Theater and had such a good time with this new experience, I decided go to the Ill List event with a friend earlier this month. This was a professional poetry slam (forgive me, poets, if I use the wrong lingo, I am a newbie!) that Modesto has been promoting for years! What the heck, I just hear about it now?! Needless to say, or rather I need to say, I am an instant fan. 8 poets from around the nation were invited to show their talent, and we were not disappointed. I heard some awesome poetry being performed and was thoroughly entertained and challenged. I got to mingle with people that I wouldn’t normally run into, you know how people get stuck in their “circle” of friends. Well I hate being stuck in one circle, I want to be a part of ALL of them, and so this was amazing! After the slam, the poets said that this is the only event in this style, and we have it here, Modesto!  This year’s winner was Carlos Robson, I am posting a piece he did at the Modesto slam, though the video was taken elsewhere. Take 3 minutes to watch it (I do not own this video), it is about an autistic boy and entitled “Amazing Grace”:

If you are interested in this type of thing, check out this freaking cool website I found a while back: www.p4cm.com

And as a bonus, watch this video which I sadly do not own, of my favorite ladies of word (with awesome hair):

 Hmmm, let me try:

The Ill List was rad,

I didn’t go last year, by bad.

But when my rhyming gets better,

I will perform words organized by letter,

For the betterment of my community,

Who knew it could be done through poetry?

Please forgive me this ditty,

But I just love this city!

Yeah, yeah, I guess I need a little work… it looks like I will “have” to attend these events more regularly for education and inspiration. And since I brought it up, why do you try something new, take someone with you and check out these types of events too?! I would love it if you posted some new things you have tried, or new local places you have visited so that we can check them out too! We will from this point on call them “Success Stories.”  Yeah, I dig it *snap, snap, snap*.

This One Horse Town

For some reason, Modesto gets a bad rap. Ok, there are lots of things that may negatively influence a person’s view on this town, but nothing will change unless we look at the positive, right? If you don’t enjoy where you live, then perhaps YOU are not contributing? I have decided to highlight a few of my favorite places in this town so that maybe they will bring you some joy too?!

As a product of the 80’s, I am very familiar with that old show “Cheers”, you know, where “Everybody knows your name.” I want to pause a second, so that song becomes stuck in your head, perhaps a quick listen will be sweetly nostalgic for you. This is not my video, I found it on YouTube.

Well, friends, we have a place like that in Modesto and that place is Camp 4.  You walk into a stylish yet comfortable environment, and are greeted by the best staff a wine bar could present. And before this becomes another boring “review” (as my intention is not to rate an establishment, but show you the good things Modesto has to offer), I just say that if you want a place to hang out, this place has great wine, beer, people, and of course my favorite, the 3-cheese-panino.  Check them out here on Facebook.

Downtown Modesto is becoming a more welcoming and visually appeasing place too! If you are not between the ages of 18-20, then perhaps you are tired of the “club” scene downtown (I am sure you noted my sarcasm by my use of quotation marks)? Well, they are beginning to create “parklets” downtown, and although this may not be a finished work, it is definitely a starting point!  If you are interested in getting involved, even if you just want to show that you appreciate this work, perhaps send an email or write to the City of Modesto and let them know you back them up on these types of city beautification projects? If you don’t tell the city that you want this, they are not going to spend money on it! Here is a brief article on the downtown "parklets."

 Are you newer to the area and looking for some sort of community to join? I know of just the place! Now, I am first going to add the caveat that there are a TON of churches in Modesto, lots of good ones, but the one I have been attending is different than others I have visited. It is a community.  It is a place where you can deal with your ugliness in safety. Yes, there are two services on Sunday; Yes, it is unlikely that you will sit long before someone walks up to you to meet you; Yes, God is spoken as One in whom you can find your purpose, identity and acceptance. But on top of all these things, the whole, crowded, lively place is divided up into community groups that meet over the week to share life (The good, bad and ugly). You know what that means? It means all these people actually like each other AND they welcome others to participate. As a whole, this is one friendly, adventure seeking, artistic, musical, God finding, food loving community.  This place is Redeemer Church. Here is a link for more information, or just ask me!

Finally, one of my favorite places is the Virginia Corridor. You know, the pedestrian path that runs along the old train tracks alongside Virginia Avenue? I love this path! It is pretty, safely lit, and long enough now to get in a good walk or a decent run. Now that the pedestrian bridge over Briggsmore Ave. has been completed, the path has extended to Bowen Ave. They have a doggie water fountain on one end, doggie clean up bags and trash cans at every street intersection. Additionally, the path runs up behind Roseburg Square, which means you can stop for frozen yogurt or amazing Mexican food if you need a break. Winning! This is a great trail and I fully suggest you get some exercise on it, and bring a friend (me)! Here are a couple of pictures I found online:

I am reading back now and see that I have written a lot. So I won’t add any more locations, but I do want to add that the best things about Modesto are its people! I love being able to walk into Starbucks, Target, the grocery store, and see people I know.  I would guess that a large number of us have stayed here because our families are here. Use that to your advantage, the more we hang out with each other and get into each other’s lives, the more fun this place can be! So make it a better place! Invite people into your home, or go try new dinner locations and bring new friends with you, be creative and be a part of this city!

Annual Oktoberfest Event 

 Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit

 Camp 4

 A community group dinner

 Another community group dinner

 Ice blocking

 

I am sure there are a TON of places that I should have listed but don’t know about. Will you post the places you love below so we can all try them out?