Once there was freedom then there was none. The ability to exchange ideas has been replaced with intolerance. Rhetoric is hyper charged and vitriol is all that is left. You can not even peacefully espouse your ideas because you might strike a nerve. Political correctness has changed peaceful dialogue into fearful words if some one does not agree with your ideas. So silence everyone but my point of view. Then violence is the response if you disagree with me. When did civil discourse become so convoluted, what is hate speech anyway?

My job isn't going the way I planned so I have a drink. I got in a big fight with my wife so I have a drink. My kids are having problems at school so I have a drink. I got behind on my bills so I have a drink. My family keeps telling me all their problems so I have a drink. I then turn and look down into the bottle, and it sits empty. I'm forced to face the morning sober and my life really stinks. All the answers that I had are gone, and now I'm just left to think. Did drinking really solve anything, I'm not sure that it really did. Though when I wasn't sober, the alcohol kept my problems hidden. So now I have decision to make, do I face my life on my own or do I buy another bottle full of answers?

Try as you might, some people will not change. The Heart Wants What It Wants and will not be dissuaded. Regardless of how wrong it may seem to those from the outside, love can be a hopeless campaign. It may take years to accomplish a single thing. It may be a whirlwind romance or love at first sight. Love may be young and old or it may cross class lines. Sometimes love must be worked for, it may take years to earn. Sometimes it's giving freely and turns out not to be worth the effort. Whatever love turns out to be, it is different for each heart. It can bring two people together or It can completely tear them apart. Sometimes love is just an impossibility, and illusion we fight for but can never really achieve.

Take all the wealth from everyone that has it and give it all to the poor. Change government officials every four years regardless of if they want to leave or not. Assign everyone a job based upon their abilities. Give everyone an equal chance. Train everyone to go to college, so no one is left out. Make every home the same size and dictate that no one can have more children than another. Set retirement for everyone to be the same if they want it or not. See that the bureaucracy works like clockwork and that no one gets left out. Let's give liberalism a try, I'm sure it will work out just fine.

When the journey becomes too great the world will flee. Family will turn away and friends will not be found. I do not hold them to account, because some trials must be mine alone. If I am to come into my destiny, I may have to be tried by fire, but it will temper me. It is god who orders my path, so I must press on. The things that seem for my harm will work for his glory and my good. Sometimes I must walk alone.

I have fought many battles and I have not always been Victorious. My emotions have been shattered and my heart torn to shreds. Some of those I love have betrayed me and some enemies have saved me. Though I have been knocked down I've always gotten back up. Some wounds are deeper than others, but I have always found a way for them to heal. The scars that are upon me are not always visible, but I would not give them up for anything. Though you may not see a warrior, I promise you I am steadfast in my resolve. I do not know what challenge I will face tomorrow, but I am prepared to battle it all. My scars they do not Define me, they simply stand to remind me. When things seem to be their darkest, I will fight my way to the light. I will stand up for what I believe and I will continue to fight. I will wear my scars like a badge of honor and of them I will never be ashamed. The show others what I'm capable of and that if you are willing you can achieve great things.

When the sand is spoiled with footprints, you need only wait a little while. The waves will wash in as the tide rises and it will wash away the past and leave a clean slate for you to start again.