funny papers

life is a strange ride. we spend so much time trying to make sense of things, chasing goals, & trying to keep everything in check. but if you really stop & look around, you’ll realize it’s all a bit absurd. we all go through these highs & lows, contradictions & chaos, & sometimes, it feels like the world is spinning way faster than we can keep up with. but maybe that’s the point. maybe the answer isn’t to try & control everything, but to embrace the madness & laugh at it.

it’s easy to get caught up in taking life way too seriously—constantly striving for success, checking boxes, & meeting expectations. but the truth is, we all have our weird moments, our embarrassing missteps, & our “what the heck am i doing?” days. & instead of seeing them as setbacks, maybe we should just laugh it off. after all, who has it all figured out? no one. life is full of randomness & curveballs, but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. it’s the messy parts that give us stories to tell, & sometimes, the best way to cope with the chaos is by laughing at how ridiculous it all seems.

when we try to control every single thing around us, we forget that the most memorable moments in life are the unexpected ones. the times when things go completely off-track but somehow still turn out okay. whether it’s an embarrassing moment with friends, a bad day at work, or an unexpected twist in our personal lives, those moments are part of the ride. instead of letting them get us down, maybe we should lean into them. we can’t control everything, but we can control how we react. & sometimes, the best response is to simply laugh & say, “well, that was weird. on to the next.”

at the end of the day, life isn’t about having everything perfectly figured out. it’s about rolling with the punches, accepting that things won’t always go as planned, & learning to laugh at the unpredictability of it all. so next time life throws you a curveball, don’t take it too seriously. embrace the absurdity, laugh through the chaos, & keep moving forward. because it’s all part of the journey, & you might as well enjoy the ride.

-rl.

take your mask off

in a world that constantly pressures us to be something we are not, its easy to lose sight of who we truly are. we often wear masks to fit in, to avoid judgment, or to protect ourselves from rejection. but its time to drop the pretense & be authentic. removing the mask isnt just about showing others who we are, its about embracing vulnerability & allowing ourselves to be seen.

wearing a mask is exhausting. its a constant performance to meet others expectations, leaving us drained & disconnected from our true selves. the longer we stay behind the mask, the harder it becomes to remember who we really are. but when we remove it, we free ourselves from the fear of judgment & open the door to self-acceptance.

taking off the mask is a bold act of self-love. it means accepting ourselves with flaws & all without needing validation from others. when we let go of the fear of rejection, we create space for deeper connections & a life thats truly ours. we begin to realize that our worth isnt determined by the mask we wear but by the person we are underneath it.

society often pressures us to conform & fit into predefined roles, but when we stop pretending & embrace our individuality, we reclaim our freedom. taking off the mask is an act of rebellion against a world that demands perfection. by stepping into the light, flaws & all, we unlock the power of being truly ourselves, without fear or shame.

the beauty of living without a mask is that it sets us free. no longer bound by expectations, we can live authentically, embrace our imperfections, & connect with others on a deeper level. its time to take off the mask & show the world who we truly are is because thats when we can finally experience the fullness of life.

-rl.

hurry up tomorrow

personal transformation is a journey that begins with the decision to move beyond the pain & regrets that have defined much of ones past. these moments, though painful, hold lessons that are essential for growth, but they should not dictate the future. the past, filled with mistakes & missteps, often clouds the present, making it difficult to see the possibilities for a brighter tomorrow. yet, deep within, there is a desire for change & a yearning to break free from the shackles of what was & create something new. to transform is to acknowledge that the past doesnt have to be a life sentence; it can be a starting point for something better.

this desire to move forward isnt just about letting go of past hurt, but about seeking redemption. redemption isnt simply about seeking forgiveness from others; its about finding peace with oneself, coming to terms with past actions, & working toward becoming a version of oneself that reflects hope, love, & growth. there is a deep yearning to rewrite the narrative, to stop living in the shadows of mistakes, & instead step into the light of possibility. this process involves confronting those parts of oneself that are hardest to face, owning up to past wrongs, & seeking a path that will lead to inner peace & external harmony.

as this transformation unfolds, it requires an openness to new beginnings. a clean slate doesnt simply arrive by wishing for it; it must be earned through actions that reflect a commitment to change. the willingness to embrace vulnerability, to start over despite the fear of failure or judgment, is a powerful catalyst for growth. its in these moments of courage where fear & uncertainty are met with determination that new chapters are written. every day presents an opportunity to choose differently, to act with intention, & to make decisions that align with the person one wants to become.

at the heart of personal transformation is self-compassion. in the pursuit of redemption, its easy to be harsh with oneself, to constantly look back & regret. however, true transformation is rooted in the belief that change is possible, & that the mistakes of yesterday do not define the potential of today. healing begins when we can forgive ourselves for our past, while also taking responsibility for our actions. this delicate balance between self-forgiveness & accountability is essential for growth. it allows us to move forward with a clear conscience, knowing that each step we take is an effort to become better, kinder, & more aligned with our true self.

ultimately, personal transformation is an act of hope & belief that even the deepest scars can fade, & that a new beginning is always possible. as one moves through the process of healing, redemption, & renewal, there is an unwavering sense that change is not just a dream, but a reality that can be achieved. the past, no matter how heavy, no longer holds power over the future. by embracing the possibility of transformation, one steps into a new chapter, ready to write a story of resilience, love, & growth. take care.

-rl

11pm.

there’s something truly empowering about being able to step back & acknowledge the effort you’ve put into something, regardless of the outcome. its easy to fall into the trap of beating yourself up when things dont turn out the way you envisioned, especially when youve poured your heart into it. but the truth is, effort is never wasted, even if the results arent immediately visible. when you give your best, youve already succeeded in one of the most important ways by showing up & trying. the intention behind your actions is what truly matters, not just the end result.

its natural to feel disappointed when things dont pan out, especially when your intentions were pure & genuine. you gave what you had to offer with the best of your ability, & yet, it may not have been enough, or it may have just not aligned with the outcome you hoped for. but that doesnt make your efforts any less valid. sometimes, life doesnt follow a clear-cut path, & not everything will unfold as expected. but that doesnt mean you should discredit your efforts. instead, recognize that each situation is an opportunity for growth & learning.

owning the parts of the situation that couldve gone better is a sign of maturity & self-awareness. its important to be honest with yourself about what you could have done differently. self-reflection is crucial, but it should never lead to self-blame. acknowledge your mistakes or missteps, but dont get stuck in them. every misstep is simply a lesson waiting to be learned, & every moment youre still standing means you have another chance to apply that lesson moving forward. you dont have to be perfect to be valuable, & you dont need to have everything figured out to keep growing.

in those moments where the direction feels unclear, when it seems like youre moving forward without knowing exactly where youre going, trust the process. life is rarely linear, & its often filled with twists & turns that make it harder to see the path ahead. yet, as long as you continue putting one foot in front of the other, you are making progress. even if you dont have all the answers now, the very act of pushing forward is what will eventually guide you to clarity. trust in your ability to navigate through uncertainty, knowing that even a small step is still a step toward something meaningful.

ultimately, its about embracing the journey, no matter how unclear or unpredictable it may seem. celebrate the fact that youre not letting setbacks hold you back. keep moving forward with the understanding that lifes experiences, good & bad, are all shaping you into who you’re meant to become. & even though the destination may be uncertain, what’s most important is that you’re doing the work, putting in the effort, & learning along the way. keep your head up, stay resilient, & remember that each effort, each experience, brings you closer to the growth & understanding you need to thrive. be good to yourself & those around you. be safe & god bless you

-rl

look what you’ve done.

2k24. lookin back on what this year has consisted of is such a bittersweet feeling because all while navigating through the peaks & valleys, so much growth was transpiring & it ultimately led me to being where it is that i am today & for that i am forever grateful. yk we always say that all things happen for a reason & sometimes we question the reasoning behind the things that happen to us but all while there is a reason, there is a purpose. this one is going to be a little bit more personal than usual but we all gotta give back to ourselves & allow all that comes with us have it’s day.

there is a deep sense of appreciation for all life threw @ me in the last 365; it provided an opportunity for me to gather an understanding for the world, people, & my faith. it all comes back around full circle just to say the least & all that is meant to find its way into our lives & our knowing WILL always make itself known. it was all while i had truly hit my rock bottom that most of this understanding transpired & stems from; it almost serves as the foundation for all that comes before & after. one thing after another continued to happen to me & all i could ever ask for is a reason “why?” whether it was being jobless with no money to my name, a really ugly breakup, or the passing of my dog, never did one thing ever seem to outweigh the other but all contributed to finding my way back in the most humble fashion.

i can truly say that it all was a huge learning experience ; a huge mind for insights. this served as a great reminder that it is never in the best interest of one to lean on their own understanding but to turn your heart to God & allow him to place his holy hand over your life & show you what it is that is truly meant for you. trust that once i began to give him that control, the difference was night & day. things that didn’t serve my spirit right found their way out of my life with an ease that felt as close to natural as it possibly could have & the blessings started to unfold & present themselves in ways that i couldn’t begin to explain & now by the good grace of God, i can truly say that i am in the best place of my life that i have ever been & there are no words that can justify the feeling of gratitude i have going into this next year.

from a strong relationship with family who never turned their back on me & stuck with me through the ups & downs, to a love from an individual that knows no conditions. to my family, i thank you all with every bit of me for always believing in me, even when it was hard to believe in myself. you guys all held me up while i was down & showed me that while all else goes wrong, family will always be there. & to my cilla, thank you for showing me that love has no limits. thank you for pushing me to be the best person that i can possibly be & bringing the best out of me every single day. i owe it all to y’all & God, without y’all, i am nothing.

to the person reading this that may be trying to find their way throughout all the adversity they are going through in life, continue to keep pushing. all that is going wrong shall pass & you will find yourself on the other side of things. continue to trust in God & his process he has for you, & continue to serve him & those who are in your life that contribute to your peace. maintain being an honorable person to those who may not always serve you right. continue to always walk with grace & purpose with every step you take. may God be with you & yours, until next time! -rl