Affirmations on life

Turning a negative situation in to a positive is a difficult thing to do. I think it's an important life skill to handle defeat and be able to channel it into future success. One way to look at it defeat is that it is one way of not accomplishing the goal. Also, there is much to be learned from failure arguably more than through success because with success people often become complacent and put forth less effort, where as people with prior failures know they need to maintain their efforts in order to not return to failure. Every one has faced defeat or hardships in life at some point, and the importance lies not in the failure but rather how the person handles it. Support is another key factor because when a person is down its nice to know someone has his or her back whether it be friends, family, or God. Trying to move forward without help often leads to more failure. Therefore in any negative situation, learn from it, move on, and don't be afraid to reach out for help.    

Nature Connection

I had a connection with nature one time when I was in Laos. I was at a place where they let walk right up to the edge of a waterfall on rocks, and it was an extraordinary sensory experience. The water made a great deal of noise as it crashed on the rocks below, and the view of the surrounding area was great too. I felt very much at peace there despite being very high up. I wouldn't say the experience had a profound effect on me, but every time I revisit the place in my mind I get a feeling of peace. I don't know if I really found the truth in nature, but it was certainly a time I found peace in nature. 

Team Edgar

I chose Poe because I like the eerie, Gothic feel of his stories. Poe uses the ladder of suspense very well in both the Pit and Pendulum and the Fall of the House of Usher. In general, I find Poe's stories to be quicker and more enjoyable reads. I also prefer the short stories to the expanded novels of Hawthorne. Another thing that I find more interesting is Poe's life. He faced tons of challenges and hardships in his life. It undoubtedly contributed to his unique flavor of Gothic tales and yet another reason why Poe was my favorite.