We'll Always Have Paris

I love the line in the film Casablanca, when Rick knows that he is not going to see his former lover Ilsa again. He tells her that, "we'll always have Paris" referring to a brief courtship they had on the eve of WWII, when events split them apart. He we letting her know in this moment that 1) they will most likely never see each other again, and 2) they can both share a cherished moment, and store that in their memory bank forever.

While ideas like this aren't very realistic and might sound good in a movie, I am fascinated by it. I am fascinated by the idea that two people or a group of people can share a moment, store it in their memory banks, and revert back to it in hard times or nostalgic times.

My family and I went on a trip recently to Natural Bridge, where we spent many hours bonding and hiking. I stupidly forgot to bring my Nikon camera, so at first I was bummed that I wouldnt get a chance to capture any of these awesome times. But then I got to thinking... Do I really need a camera? What would I do with the pictures? Collect them in some sort of scrapbook and let it collect dust? Post them on facebook so the whole world could see special moments with my family? I'm not sure if the whole world cares, or if they need to see these moments. There might be some moments where they are supposed to be behind a curtain--and the only parties that can see those moments are those parties that were there.

One of my best friends just got engaged this week, and it was a very touching moment. The way he had it set up was essentially having all his friends there at a small gathering, so there can be pictures and a video of this special occasion. Pictures are great! A video is fantastic! Don't get me wrong on this. But I will never forget this memory; not because of a few facebook photos or a video, but because of the excitement, tenderness, and vulnerability of the moment.

I always tell my friends when I propose  it's going to be a very simple moment. It will be a very intimate moment, but very simple. No cameras, no video, not even friends. It will just be me and her sharing that moment. Then we will always have it. We can always revert back to it. And it will be special because NOBODY else experienced that moment but us. Doesnt that sound cool or am I just being crazy? Maybe my girlfriend will say no unless all of those other elements are around us, I have no idea!

It is on the eve of fourth of july... Happy Independence Day everyone!!!

Best,

Eric

Risk and Reward

So far 2013 has become the year of risks for me. I tend to be attached to my comforts, and live my life governed by fear... The complete opposite of how God wants me to live. He wants me to live my life to the FULLEST!

Back in March, I decided to take a roadtrip by myself to West Virginia. I set a destination (Hillbilly Hotdog Stand) and decided to go. This trip wasn't about hot dogs, but it was about living life outside of fear, and trusting in God. Many things could have gone wrong on the trip--pack of coyotes or pack of hillbilly's attacking me, car troubles out the wazoo, crazy weather. But I needed to do this for myself. I needed to do this for God. It took me 3 1/2 to go grab lunch, and I wouldn't take it back in a heartbeat.

I'm about to take another risk--moving out and living on my own. I would be living in an urban area close to my work. I lived in the same town for 25 years. I would consider myself to be sheltered, as I don't know how to do many things, and I haven't experienced many things. But living on my own, I would get baptized by fire in a sense. This risk would equal great reward.

I think that complacency is agonizing. Alot of times I just don't make moves. I don't move out. I dont ask the girl out. I get afraid of job descriptions when looking at promotions. But this year I learned that taking risks is rewarding. Yeah, you could get your heart burned. Things could get messy. Things could get 10x more confusing. But the reward is so much greater.

I think that taking risks is good for your faith. I think God puts us in situations where we are called to be bold and take risks.

What would life be like if we choose not to live life in fear?