dustinahkuoi

Dear 21 Year Old Me...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:07:42 -0500

Dear 21 Year Old Me,

I am writing to let you know that currently I can out run you…school you on the b-ball court…dance longer (and better while I’m at it)…plus I’m stronger than you and your clothes are too big for me.

So…even though I may stretch a little longer than you…recover a little slower than you…and my hair might be a little more gray than yours…I can still kick your butt.

Sincerely,

36 Year Old Me

(P.S. - If you are reading this letter and aren’t 21 year old me…I hope you can overlook the cockiness and hear the encouragement. Just under 3 years ago I was stuck in a rut…miserable with my health and ready to quit. But slowly and steadily…day by day (with help from faith and friends) I was able to turn disgust into discipline and desire. I am still learning and trying to take better care of myself…but I just thought you might want to know it can be done…don’t give up!)

Thanksgiving Encouragement...

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:56:51 -0500

I distinctly remember feeling empty, confused, broken and desperate two years ago on Thanksgiving day. My eyes were filled with tears that ran down my face…and the taste of salt was present as I yelled out to God. The holidays can be a wonderful time for many…yet weigh heavy for others in pain. Two years later…after lifting my head up with the sun one day at a time…I can say without question that God’s love has kept and sustained me despite my doubts, failures and frailty. It has brought me into wide open spaces with a joy that comes from God who cannot be shaken. Be encouraged today…hope is present…the God of the vast universe is also close…and holds your every tear in a bottle. His love is a symphony…He does not drown out the sounds of your weeping…but rather…He weaves them into the very fabric of His composition…they blend into new movements that no ears have heard. These redemptive melodies are the most beautiful sounds you will ever hear…and they can be sung in the midst of any crisis or calamity…they are not just songs reserved for good times…they are the soundtrack to our complex and broken lives. You don’t have to be a perfect vocalist to sing them…you just have to open your mouth…make a joyful noise…make them your own. Though it’s hard to hear when our ears are so clogged up with cynicism and our eardrums are wounded from the shrill and harsh tones of empty promises…if we can be still and listen carefully…God has written a new song for us every single day. In fact he writes them by the nano second… because there’s just too much rich material in the depths of His love to ever run out of lyrics or melodies. These songs are beautiful when sung on Sundays…but Sunday should be a collective crescendo of our daily songs.

So…take heart…know that you are loved. Our human hearts are too complex for bumper stickers or Billboard signs…but they are understood by the Father…they are held close by Him…He is life support…He is breath and nourishment. Nothing else satisfies…Happy Thanksgiving beloved…be loved.

"Emotion turning back on itself, and not leading on to thought or action, is the element of madness."

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:24:46 -0400

““Emotion turning back on itself, and not leading on to thought or action, is the element of madness.””

- John Sterling

"Grace pens the most creative, mind blowing and inspiring stories. It travels with every shift in..."

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:51:34 -0400

“Grace pens the most creative, mind blowing and inspiring stories. It travels with every shift in plot and is just as present in conflict as it is in resolution.”

- Me

One of my favorite Mumford and Sons songs. Perfect to listen to...

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:39:22 -0400

One of my favorite Mumford and Sons songs. Perfect to listen to tonight as it storms outside

Another beautiful time lapse video shot by the same person as...

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:55:40 -0400

Another beautiful time lapse video shot by the same person as the last one…stunning

Breathtaking time lapse footage. Love to all tonight

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:55:11 -0400

Breathtaking time lapse footage. Love to all tonight

“Now I can sing you the storyline and if you like my...

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:57:28 -0400

“Now I can sing you the storyline and if you like my story, fine. But ain’t none of the glory mine.” - Cee-lo Green

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:46:01 -0400

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”

- Mother Teresa

Beautiful! Musicans from all around the world make one song

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:18:38 -0400

Beautiful! Musicans from all around the world make one song

On why he plays in the subway “I wanted to reach more...

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:18:06 -0400

On why he plays in the subway “I wanted to reach more people” and “There are people who can’t really get to concerts…I like to give them something special…always working on something” - I love it

Musiq Soulchild “Newness” - Behind the beat Neo...

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:20:27 -0400

Musiq Soulchild “Newness” - Behind the beat Neo Soul…smooooove

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light."

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:02:24 -0400

““Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.””

- Theodore Roethke

Hanson’s (yes the boys that brought us MMM Bop) new song...

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:02:43 -0400

Hanson’s (yes the boys that brought us MMM Bop) new song “Give a Little” - Lot’s of joy in the song and video (And a bonus smoove version…Quest Love’s Remix http://tinyurl.com/6zq8jlx)

"See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how..."

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:47:08 -0400

““See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…we need silence to be able to touch souls.””

- Mother Teresa

Here is a random Pandora station suggestion for the debonair,...

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:46:11 -0400

Here is a random Pandora station suggestion for the debonair, urbane and buoyant souls out there…or those that wish to be: Astrud Gilberto

On my way home from a run…celebrating this beautiful day

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:34:19 -0400

On my way home from a run…celebrating this beautiful day

I know this song is somewhat older…but I’ve always...

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:00:01 -0400

I know this song is somewhat older…but I’ve always loved this melody. If you’re single and at a coffee shop right now…look up and let me know if you fall in love…haha

Good night…here’s one of my favorites “The...

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:54:00 -0400

Good night…here’s one of my favorites “The Ballad of Love and Hate” by The Avett Brothers

“Oh Pain” - an original song I wrote recently. Hope...

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:15:14 -0400

“Oh Pain” - an original song I wrote recently. Hope it is an encouragement to you today…much love (Lyrics included under video)