continuing to move forward.

there comes a point in your life when the choice to sit and be quiet is kicked to the curb by standing up and shouting.   this entry is going to be completely random because it's coming from a place of both total frustration, anger and disgust.  

while i have been described as stubborn and very head strong, i have never been known to be a closed minded person.  i'm the type of person that sees a lot of "grey" in between the black & white world that some people wander through.  i try very hard to see the "other side" of a lot of issues and beliefs.  in fact, i've often said "you can believe whatever you want but as soon as those beliefs are pushed on me or any other person - we have a problem."

i think there is a fine line between being passionate and stepping on the toes of other people by preaching your beliefs and trying to make laws that affect everyone based on those religious beliefs.  i've never wanted this  blog to be political or dramatic. 

i come here to vent, brag and just waste time. 

i come here to post pictures and be light hearted. 

i come here because this is MY little corner of the internet world and it's a place that i feel safe to post my thoughts, frustrations, sadness, joy, love, and personal growth. 

i think, somewhere along in the evolution of the digital age, people have confused what is exactly included in their 1st amendment rights when it comes to private/personal pages that they may visit online.  

i want to let those  people in on a little secret - 

1.  you DON'T have the right to post your negativity and hate on the pages/profiles/blogs/facebook accounts of other people. 

2.  you DO have the right to respectfully discuss varying opinions and beliefs on the pages/profiles/blogs/facebook postings of other people.

3.  you DO have the right to post your hate filled crap on your OWN pages - and you have the equal rights to respectful dialogue. 

4.  you DO have the right and it is encouraged to simply scroll passed differing viewpoints if it's not possible for you to remain civil within that discussion.

5.  you DON'T have the right to dictate how you think my page (blog or facebook) should look or what beliefs i display on my pages.

over the past few years i've held my tongue, out of respect i have had for a friendship and the fact that everyone is entitled to their belief (even if *I* feel it's a COMPLETE douchebag stance on certain issues).  

however, life is too short to sit by and act and behave like what has gone down is okay.

it's not.

i am moving on with my life and away from negativity.  i know that it's important to surround myself with differing opinions and personalities.  i mean, if everyone were like me, aside from the world being filled with awesome!  the world would also be filled with stubborn, hard headed, people that would probably argue all the time.  that's not what anyone wants.

as hard as it is to walk away from a 29 year old friendship it has to be done.  it's not an easy pill to swallow but it's one that has finally slid down my throat and i have accepted that it's over. 

i had to give myself permission to end a toxic situation for my betterment.  i had to convince myself that it's not always about the loyalty of a friendship - it's about surrounding myself with uplifting and positive people.

if you've stuck with this post to this point, i thank you. 

i hope for nothing but good for this person and their family but i'm moving forward without them.