It's been far too long...

Well...

I know that it has been nearly a season since I have blogged...it shan't happen again.

I have just celebrated my 22nd complete years since my birth...meaning that I just turned 23. My wonderful sister surprised me by flying 3,000 miles from her school in Cedarville, OH to Oympia, WA! It was a very nice surprise and was just what I needed to help me survive until December when she is scheduled to come home for Christmas.

As I begin this 23rd year of living, I have resolved to make some changes. I am inspired to better myself. As my life seems to be swirling around me, I know that there is one thing I can always count on, one thing that will forever be an anchor, one thing that won't be shaken...and that is, and will continue to be, the one and only object of my focus.

I often find myself being so human and trying to calm the swirling ocean of life down by myself...it always ends up in a humiliating and humbling reality...I was not meant to do this thing called "life" in my own power. Why I, time and time again, try to be in control baffles me. I know...I believe...I have seen...I have learned that it is futile to flex my "human muscles" and say "...I got this one." Herein lies the specific point of my realization:

Trust is healthy and humility is necessary.

We must become truly humble so that we can trust others. Likewise, trusting others is an act that assists in building humility. I realize that this blog may be wandering...I apologize. This is really just how thoughts are being processed in my mind as I type.

To wrap this up...Trust...Humility...think about these to characteristics in your life...are you flexing your "human muscles"? When chaos seems to envelop your world, what is your reaction? A friend of mine gave me some great advice last week: "We have the option to choose how we will react to situations...so choose how you will react..." So, do you react with trust and humility, or do you react with pride? Just some thoughts, friends...

When the old becomes new.

As is to be expected, a large majority of my postings on here will, in some roundabout way, relate to music or the arts...shocking, I know. Keep in mind I said, 'a large majority...' and did not say, 'all.'

As of late, I have developed an absolute obsession for the new David Crowder Band album. There are many, MANY reasons for this desire to soak in the "money" beats...the electronic sounds...the catchy tunes that the album exudes. However, I had an epiphany this week...a slap in the face, in fact...as I listened to the whole of the music, I began to realize the true genius of Crowder...

...Lyrics.

I'm not positively certain why this has just now hit me...something that seems so blatantly obvious...

To be completely honest, it wasn't even a song from the most recent album, called "Church Music," that had an immense impact on my mind...it was the song "Wholly Yours" from the "A Collision" album that held the moment of discovery in it's grasp.

I am full of Earth
You are heavens worth
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity
You are everything
That is bright and clean
The antonym of me, You are divinity

Wait.....stop.....read that again.....slower this time......really read it.........

Wow.

And the truest sign of grace was this
From wounded hands redemption fell down
Liberating man

I have been familiar with this song for nearly 5 years now...knew all the words, but did I really know them...? I had them memorized...until this week, when the old song of 5 years ago became new to me...for a second time.

I encourage you, friends, don't just know a song...know a song. This doesn't even have to be an application to religious/worship music...before you start memorizing any tune...know it. Before you start sighting any source...know it. Before you start following anything, or anyone...know them.

Know...don't just memorize.

-Mitch

The Beginning.

Imagine a place with me, if you will...

...a place for my two cents, and for yours...a place were ideas turn into conversations that, in turn, result in relationships...a place where, for lack of a more effective avenue, I can attempt to document, through text, the way that my brain processes life around me...that place is now real, my friends...and that place is HERE.

For better or for worse, I have created (along with the assistance of my supremely beautiful and talented girlfriend) this space where I will be sharing with you emotions, activities, ups and downs, interests, etc. and my "Thoughts" relating to all of the madness.

With that, I am ecstatic to welcome you to Thoughts. A Novel by Mitch Kuns. Read. Absorb. Enjoy.

-Mitch