Sing it for the people like us... The people like us.

If you're reading this, and we are anything alike, then you probably listen to music on the daily. No, I don't mean on the radio on the way to work in the morning just jamming along to anything on the radio. I'm talking about really listening to music. The lyrics, connecting to what the artist is saying, the point they are trying to get across. I love music with meaning. When the artist is singing for a cause, a reason, to make a point. One of my FAVORITE examples of this this right now would be Macklemore's new hit, "Same Love". Same Love is basically a 2013 anthem for equality. Preaching bold statements such as, "When kids are walking 'round the hallway, plagued by pain in their heart, A world so hateful, some would rather die than be who they are, A certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all, But it's a damn good place to start." This line speaks to me, not just as a listener, but also as an individual. Being a gay man in this world, not having the same basic rights that straight men and women do, this song is something different and it's very VERY bold.
Being someone who has turned to music to block out the world, or to calm me down and relax me. Or if it's just to listen to and enjoy it, I have been with music my whole life. Like many of you. Not just listening, but with choir, show choir and just singing. It's something very dear to my heart and something I know that will never diminish from my life. It's a constant, because we will always have new stars that will be joining the music world and create chart topping tracks for our enjoyment.
I felt the need to share this to just show that not all music that is created today is trash and poppy garbage. Some of it has meaning and underlying messages. You just have to look for them while listening. I love bands that are a little alternative and a little grungy/christian rock/punk. Their music -I feel- has the most meaning behind it because that's what they strive off of, is creating songs that relate to many people's lives. A few good examples about this would be: Tonight Alive; Icon For Hire; Hey Monday; Darling Parade. Those are just a few of the bands that I listen to on the regular. I love their sound, each has their own tone and tempo that make them unique. <3

Well, that's all for this. Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend, folks.
Love and hugs as always.
Jesse

Self Harm: The external result of internal pain.

Self harm. Such a touchy subject to talk about anymore. Not that it wasn't touchy before now, but anyways. Basically, self harm is when you intentionally cause yourself physical harm through various methods. The most common of those is to cut your arms, thighs, legs, wrists with a sharp object like a pair of scissors, a razor blade, glass, even a paperclip. Others include burning yourself, binge eating or drinking and the mutilation of one's own body.
Some say that self harm is just a call for attention and that the ones who do self harm are just looking to get noticed whether it be in a positive or a negative aspect. What they don't really know is that almost every person who self harms has an underlying reason for doing so. Just because someone does this doesn't make them a freak or an emo person. To them it's a release. A way to get all of that inner stress and anguish out of their system. What people need to learn is what they can do to help someone who self harms. No, I don't mean save them with the power of Christ or to expel the devil from them. To help them through whatever they are going through. To be there for them when nobody else is. Just being that friend who sits there and listens when nobody else will could very well save someone's life someday.

"She paints a pretty picture, but there's a twist. Her paintbrush is her razor and her canvas is her wrist." 

"She cuts."
"How do you know?"
"I can tell, I an see it in her clouded over eyes. In the way she pulls her sleeves passed her wrists, in the over paranoid and nervous way only a cutter would know or recognize. I once asked her about a few cuts I saw. She blamed the cat. How do I know she was lying? Because she doesn't even have a cat."


"Everyone has scars they don't to talk about. Mine just happen to on my body as well as in my head."

There are going to be those who self harm for the rest of their lives, but what we can do is at least accept them for the way that they are. The most common reason for self harming is because that person feels alone and scared. Others cut for the stress of life. Not being able to take the pressures that are shoved their way. So cutting relieves that stress. Even if it's just for a couple of minutes a day. It helps that person cope with whatever they are going through.

I just wanted to put this post out there because I was one who suffered with self harm for a while. I also tried to end my life on several occasions. This is a topic that hits very close to home for me, so to see so many people making fun of those who self harm is just unfathomable for me to deal with. It's like they don't understand depression or Multiple Personality Disorder. I can't understand the people in today's society.