"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

I always loved The Osmonds version of this song:

Smile

Sometimes I wish I smiled more.
But I don't much anymore.
And it's not like I don't appreciate things,
because I really do...even the smallest
act of kindness...I really appreciate.

But it's really hard for me to smile anymore.

If I go to a gathering or around people I will.
But my normal expression is very serious.

A lot of people in the street stop me and
ask me why I look so down all the time,
or that I look very tired.

I do always feel tired...very tired.

I feel bogged down sometimes
just thinking of things.
Whether it's my own things,
medical things, or just the world
and what I see and read online.

The negativity I read every day.
The anger, the hatred online.
Watching or reading the news.

It all gets me down.
There is just so much of it really.

Maybe that's why I like David Archuleta.
He always brings a smile to my face.

"Until You Won Me Over" by Trent Dabbs featured on One Tree Hill

Why you gotta look so sad 
Why'd you pick today 
Don't talk yourself out of this 
We're all afraid 

They say it comes when you don't look 
So I'll help you look away 
You always try to make me smile 
Let me do the same 

Oh I was given the sunlight 
A thousand chances to live a sweet life 
Oh I cut all my loses 
I thought I lost you 

Until you won me over 
Until you won me over... darling 

I'll live off the hope I find 
To talk to you all night 
And we'll put all the stars together 
And make them line 

Running circles in the wind 
As we're falling free 
I'm never looking back this time 
Just stay with me 

Oh I was given the sunlight, 
A thousand chances to live a sweet life 
Oh I had cut all my loses 
I thought I lost you 

Until you won me over 
Until you won me over... 
Darling ... darling 

Oh I was given the sunlight, 
A thousand chances to live a sweet life 
Oh I had cut all my loses 
I thought I lost you 

Until you won me over 
Until you won me over... darling

Shoulders- For King & Country- Lyrics on Screen

Laundry Day

Today I went out to do laundry.
As I was waiting for it, I sat outside on a bench.
I had a lot on my mind.
I was thinking of Mom and Bella.
I was thinking of all the hate in the world.
It bothers me that there is so much hate
in the world.

I sat there for about 20 minutes.
I closed my eyes to look up at the sun.
It was nice and sunny outside.
I just wanted to feel the sun on my face.

I guess you could say I was having a
conversation with God. I always like to do that.

When I opened my eyes and looked
down at the bench I saw a little medal
right beside me.
Now, I was sitting there for 20 minutes
with my eyes opened and didn't notice
the medal.  So I don't if it was there and
I just didn't notice it?  Or, if someone put
it there when I had my face turned up to
the sky and my eyes closed.

It was a little crucifix with Mary and Joseph on it.
I picked it up and turned it over.

It said:
"Jesus, Mary, Joseph
Be with us on our way."

I took it to mean
God is with me.
I can't change the world.
I can only do my part.
Just keep doing good.
Everything will be ok.
I am always with you.

Forgiveness

Because of my insecurities, I make a lot of mistakes
and use poor judgment, and make poor choices.

Just know that I am truly sorry.

Because I admire or care too much it
ends up looking like something else.

My need to be liked ends up ruining things.

I want to keep trying to do better.

I know God forgives me,
but do I forgive myself?

I beat myself up so badly.

I hope one day
I will like myself enough
to not seek other's approval.

I know deep down inside
I have a good heart and God knows my heart.

But, I still struggle with insecurities
that end up making things much worse.

I hope you can forgive me.
I hope I can make better choices.
I hope I can forgive myself.

Trent Dabbs - Stay By Me