duly noted

i am an observant person. i notice pretty much everything. i don't think people know the extent of what i observe. that's the beauty of being a quiet person i guess. i notice what other people are looking at. i notice the type of smile they have. i see if people have dead eyes or not, and if their laughter is real or fake. if you have ever had a few bats in the cage, as jerad faudi would say, i've probably noticed. if you have ever had a hole in your clothing, i have seen it. i am a details person, so i notice small dumb stuff that doesn't pertain to life at all. it is kind of annoying sometimes.

even though a lot of my observation seems to be visual, i do notice things that can be intellectually or spiritually stimulating as well that i can apply to my life. so in light of all this contemplative observation, here are a few things that i have observed/learned/noted in the last few days. some are important, others are not.

people who spend their lives focusing on only wealth and beauty rob themselves of so much else and make themselves completely unattractive in the process.

having stuff to do and having a schedule is so much better than lazing around.

sometimes it is ok if the biggest debate you have in a day is whether to condition or not in the shower.

shoving a q-tip too far in your ear hurts.

less is often more. (you were right, mom)

looking at pictures of "perfect" people is not helpful for self esteem, even if you are beautiful. don't do it. it just drags you down and makes you unsatisfied with what the Creator gave you.

if a creeper in the car next to you keeps staring at you and matches your speed for quite some time, while flashing a pedophiliac smile in your direction, for heaven's sake, grow a lead appendage and drop that sucka!

relationships are nothing without communication. on all levels.

you can never have too much prayer. always strive to improve your prayer life.

long, thought-provoking conversations are good for the soul and mind.

most things are best in moderation.

filling your mind with garbage of whatever sort is not ideal.

never take loved ones for granted. they leave you too soon.

looking back, lots of times you wish you had worked harder at something.

goals can be good.

not fighting is better than fighting. just as choosing to laugh at something rather than become upset at it is way better also.

you never know what another person is thinking. don't assume things.

singing off key at the top of your lungs and dancing in a dorky manner is super fun. it's also entertaining for the cars passing you.

short nails are the way to go. accidentally scratching random people you don't know with your long nails is kind of awkward.

those are some of my thoughts from the last few days. take 'em or leave 'em.