On aging

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Dove Beauty Sketches

Chris Ashton Kutcher

Celebrity is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "the state of being celebrated." So, if we look around at the people who are deemed "celebrities", who is really worth being "celebrated?" 

It seems like people can be a celebrity for any reason these days. ANY REASON. You no longer have to be talented, beautiful, smart, or even gifted to be a "celebrity." You can be one for having a sex tape, you can be one for being overly obnoxious, you can be one for being drunk, or irresponsible or just plain odd. But there are those who are worthy. Those people who are extraordinarily gifted, or beautiful or smart. 

But even those people tend not to speak up. 

It seems to me that even the people deserving of "celebrity" do not speak up about things that actually matter. They don't provide guidance or actual advice to the people who make them a "celebrity" in the first place, their fans. I don't know if this is their duty or not, and most people would probably say its not but at the same time, I would hope if someone could use their influence for good then they would. 

Which brings me to my point: WATCH THIS

That's what "celebrity" is really about. 

Kindness

"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. "

-George Saunders

Oh, the well written graduation speech. There seems to be nothing better. It has become a custom for, as stated by George Saunders, "Some old fart, his best years behind him, who, over the course of his life, has made a series of dreadful mistakes (that would be me), gives heartfelt advice to a group of shining, energetic young people, with all of their best years ahead of them (that would be you)." Being confronted with an elder with advice to give, makes you aware of your life and the choices you've made. 

This is a speech worth sharing. 

Full Text Here

August

When I finally get to reference to someone that its August, I immediately think it should be Autumn. However, the air is still thick and hot outside and there are no vibrant leaves in sight. Autumn is my favorite time of year. The air seems like the first sip of crisp champagne and there seems to be magic all around turning the leaves to exciting colors. 

Normally in Texas, it is at least middle to end of September before what I described above even begins to happen but today, the first day of August I can't seem to contain my excitement that Autumn is indeed coming soon. 

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

-Albert Camus

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”

-Henry David Thoreau

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” 

-Lauren De Stefano, Wither

“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple...” 

-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” 

-Yoko Ono

“Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” 

-Nora Ephron

"I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.” 

-Lee Maynard