humans are capable of the most amazing things. the capacity to love, to hate, to save, and to break. We are given freedom within our brains, a choice. to be strong and to really live and experience life. or to run away from our fears and pain, to merely cope and allow our circumstances to sink our hearts. I think I'd like to live again.

There's something beautiful about being broken. Though one would never just choose that. We'd all rather be comfortable, it's far easier to be distracted, to let yourself think you're "ok" or even "happy". There is beauty in brokenness, there is beauty in being crippled with nowhere to escape, the beauty is this: you're forced to find yourself, to look in the mirror and make that decision to be better, to be strong. You find out who your friends are, those that believe in you and who would pick you up when legs are far too tired of running. You find the strength you didn't know you still had. You remember that your heart is in fact still beating, you're still breathing, and then remember where you're hope is found, and for this you become; better, stronger, wiser, and in time unstoppable.

"it is important to test your strength at least once in your life. to not necessarily be strong, but to feel strong" -chris mccandless

I am strong. I am alive. Don't give up on people. Don't run away in the face of fear or doubt or failure. Don't let your heart grow cold or hard. THERE IS HOPE. Even in the darkest of hours. So be honest, be courageous, believe in the impossible, dream bigger than your heart and mind allow, never, ever stop. make it happen. Give yourself up for someone else that might not even deserve it, at all. Believe in that person. Change the world. Please don't give up on people. don't walk out. Just don't. When you get walked out on, forgive. Love. Believe that tomorrow can be better than today was, or last week, last month, or last year was. Hold on hour by hour, day by day, let your heart heal.

I am strong. I am alive.
I've found myself, even when I tried to lose myself.
Now I've never been so inspired. Never felt so strong. I've worked hard the last ten years and my dreams are coming true. Nothing could make me change my thankfulness for that. I've realized that I have people, not just a few, but a lot that love me, care about me and my life, and believe in me and my ambitions. My life has been like a movie lately. All the ups and downs, the love, the loss, the good, and the bad, but the impossible has been overcome. I'm blessed for what I have. life. My band has taken me so many new places, I've made so many new friends, had new experiences, and shared these with my best friends. The crazy part of it is, this is just the beginning. I couldn't have picked a better start even if I was in control. I believe. My heart is strong. My dreams are bigger than ever.

So dear friends,
take heart. don't lose sight of hope. love people, and let people love you. love well. give your all, your everything. don't be afraid to get a little burned. remember there is beauty in brokenness and refinement. SO CHOOSE TO BE STRONG, TO GET BACK UP, AND LIVE, REALLY, TRULY LIVE.

much love, and hope, and strength
ben