I know, right!! Shocking. I’m just as surprised as you are…. But no, I am not the poet, playwright and ever celebrated author of the Elizabethan age (Elizabeth I) known as William Shakespeare. Here’s how I know. We were born a few years apart, in two different communities, separated by a small pond, possessing somewhat similar but definitely dissimilar abilities, i.e. we both write a little. Wm is an author and creator of works of literary genius, many of which are performed for literally thousands of folks each year, on stages across the world. His works have been responsible for many middle and high school aged students’ panic attacks when they were asked to memorize a large portion of ROMEO AND JULIET in literature class. His works are known for being raw and real, in an Elizabethan era old school English kind of way, all the while embracing LOVE. Love even if it causes ones early and agonizing un-alive-ing. Um, well. It’s TRUE. Those two wacky kids did drink the stuff from the bottle, didn’t they? Me, well, I’m the Guy that lives in SE Alabama. Just your average Joe. I’m somewhat humble, but certainly bold, and it’s likely you may feel as though I write about almost anything and everything and yet really nothing. Wm S. created works of literary art, many of which continue to live on as gifts for the ages even today. Joe from the South writes from the heart, sometimes broken, but always with no rhyme or reason for his rantings. Joe’s messages aren’t always clear, but they always resonate with him. BTW: I’m Joe. My rantings are mostly for selfish purposes. and… The final reason I know we are not the same guy is simple. The name written in my underwear isn’t Wm. Shakespeare, it’s Joe from the South…. So, that’s us. Wm. and Me. He and I. Just the two if us.

So, you might be saying, GET TO THE POINT JOE, why even write today…? Fact is, I asked myself the same question. Several times, in fact. I allowed that question to bounce about in my fairly large, but certainly SEXY noggin for quite some time. At least until I came to the realization for why writing today is important to me. FYI: For anyone that doesn’t know what a “noggin”, a noggin is a person’s head. Now that I think about it, maybe I CAN teach you something in the stuff I write???? Now, the reason for todays rant. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about LIFE.

Here is what I’ve been thinking about. Some questions I want answered. Where am I today in my own LIFE? Is my LIFE the life I wish to have? Does my life have purpose? Value? Does my LIFE have meaning? Am I contributing to society and culture? Will I EVER accomplish my dreams and aspirations? Do I have enough time to do all the things I want to do? Am I getting the MOST out of whatever LIFE has in store for me? To be a bit more intimate with you, Will I ever meet the one? When? Will his eyes be the most beautiful blue? Will he sing and play guitar for me as we spend sweet moments together? Will we live a Looooong and happy life with one another? Lots of questions seem to be bouncing about in my noggin. Maybe too many. The questions are plenty, but the answers aren’t as easy to come by. Here is what I think.

I am, today, exactly where I am supposed to be TODAY. Tomorrow, I will be exactly where I am supposed to be then. I am living the life I am and have always been destined to live. Some days I feel as if I am existing instead of living. Those two words have vastly different meanings. One is good and the other, not so much. I will meet the ONE, if and when I am ready to do so. I just have to be open and willing and have patience. I will do my best to give instead of taking. I will try to live up to my potential. I want to make a difference in someone’s life. I want to make someone and ME happy. I want to contribute to society and culture and make a positive impact. And finally, I want to live life in all directions, collecting experiences, making friends, growing and learning and becoming the best me I can be.

I am at a crossroad in my life. Tomorrow, I will have courage and confidence to be able to move towards the things I most desire. I will do whatever I need to for me to fully believe in the changes I want to make and the wonderful things that live on the other side of those changes. I will remember that those changes are, by design, the next step in making my life the life I want it to be. I will seek out happiness and joy. I will allow myself to experience the good things and people in life. I won’t dwell on the bad things or the things that bring me angst and anxiety. I will Love and allow others to Love me. I will be kind and generous and try to use good manners with others. I will try to answer the questions I posed today. And I will try to be the best version of me that I can be.

For now, though, I think I need to take my vitamins and get a few hours of really good rest. It’s going to be a busy day for me tomorrow. I hope your day is all you want and need it to be. Best wishes.