..thankyou.

..today is the 17th of March..and time is indeed ticking.  I take the time now to look back upon my journey into Korea..from past to present and the experiences I have already encountered.  Currently, the day is lazy and somewhat gloomy, with construction outside of my dormitory and the lulling chant of a workman on a megaphone..droning on and on about the same phrase.  I am still sick…just relaxing in my dormitory gaining my strength and health. 

On my computer..im listening to my favorite Korean Artist..  M. C. Sniper..”Better than Yesterday”.. and Yun Mirae ’s remix..songs that I have made my theme for my stay in Korea.  Every day is a challenge in Korea.. a struggle to survive with my morals and ethics intact..it is so easy to compromise with the world at your fingertips…but for what purpose is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul??

I will not lose focus of what is important. 

I take the time now to reflect.. what have I truly learned and gained from this time?  I truly feel blessed indeed with what precious time I have been given, and I am happy.  That statement is very important, because whether we realize it or not..we have all been given much.  The trick is to see what has been given to you…and choose to be happy.  This is an ever-evolving constant decision..but one that i nevertheless must make…for my own benefit. 

 I thank God first and foremost.  In life, you will encounter many people.  People with faith, without faith, strong and weak-willed…the enthusiast, the pessimist, the instigator, peace-maker, joker, compassionate person, loving, selfish…

however…the most impactful people in my life are the people who have faith.  The people who have seen life..in all of its grittiness and ugliness, yet have felt the heart of God and know the truth in it.  I met such a person yesterday, the pastor of an inter-denominational church here in Seoul.. “Jubilee Church”.  He told his convoluted story from rags to riches..to having the world only to see the emptiness in the promise.  I respect him for his choice, and seeing clearly what others have seen..but have chosen to disregard.  Truth is often obvious, but we have to choose to see it often times…because often it is profound and its implications are life-changing.   

I also want to thank my family.  My family has sacrificed tremendously for me.. and I am so blessed and happy to have them.  I am so happy to have my father, who could have statistically bounced like so many other fathers, but chose to be upright and a prescene in my life..for good and for bad.  I thank my mother..my true advocator in this life.  She’s like the most wonderful person, and even though we are all weak sometimes..her strength and endurance for life is admirable and a testimony to all of the strength and spirit of human-nature.  She is my heart. 

I am so lucky to have my brother..without him I would not be the person I am today.  From day 1, he was my partner in crime, and even though our ways are not the same..he is the only person in this world who can say from start to finish that we’ve been through everything together.  He was my role-model for many years, with his charm and intelligence.  I feel God has many plans for him..if only he takes the time to stand up for himself and get rid of all the bad influences in his life.  I know in my heart he can do magnificent things in life..if he chose to stand for God.  I know God has a special place in his heart for my brother..I can feel it and I can only wait to see the marvelous plans he has in store for him unfold. 

For everyone else..no one is perfect in some way or another…  From this day..until the last breath is taken… I can only ask myself and everyone who might be reading this a few things.  To be honest.. most importantly, to yourself.  To fool others is in itself something..but to look in the mirror and see anything but blatant truth..  when it looks you eye to eye is foolish beyond comprehension.  People are so selfish these days and I would also ask that everyone take the time to be more considerate..and be the person to have the heart to take the extra step to make a positive impact for humanity.  It is so easy to keep an empty stare and protected heart against the world..but i remember that the opposite of love is not hate..rather indifference.  Make a difference from the little things we can all do…every big step starts from the simple act of making a decision, and doing it. 

I would like to take the time now to say thankyou.  Even if I have never met you..you chose to take the time to read this blog..and hopefully learn from my experiences.  To you.. I say thankyou.  To the people who I know, I thankyou for being there for me, and helping me in my life.  I really appreciate your love and concern, and would only ask that you share it as much as possible for those who are down and out.. give me an orange and I’de say thankyou..give it to an orphan or some starving kid and you might have forever changed a life. 

I say thankyou to Nae Epoun Sae. She has been strong for me when I have needed her to be, an ever present source of love and support.  Every day is a new challenge.. nevertheless I am thankful for every day we share and the opportunity to have such a special person in my life.  She nags me a little sometimes..however every morning when I hear her voice..it melts my heart in a way that I cannot explain.  Thankyou.

I say thankyou to all of my friends who might be reading this…you know who you are.  Its cool here in Korea..but honestly it would be so much funner if you guys were here.  To go out and chill..eat the food and travel around Seoul would be ridiculously crazy.  But until I see you guys I say thankyou so much for your support and love through the comments.  It means a lot to me, and even though I dont reply to everything..that does not take away from how much it means to me that you guys are there.  Be strong and stay healthy…see yah in a few.  Thankyou.

much love guys..