Bloodsucker- 1. An animal, such as a leech, that sucks blood. 2. a person or thing that preys upon another person

Have you ever had someone that you knew, after talking with them, they seemed to make you feel tired, drained, empty of any sort of energy? Have you ever met someone who took pride and felt joy from talking about others, having malice intent, and causing drama? Have you ever met someone so bent on spreading rumors that they dont even know they do it? These are what I like to call bloodsuckers. They prey on people. They prey on peoples feelings, their heart, their emotions, circumstances, situations, and welfare. They deflect any attention to their own lives by shifting focus on others. Bloodsuckers steal life from you, and once they do, they're done with you and on to the next. They often are not trustworthy but tend to appear to be. They are the anti-trust. They are the anti-love, the anti-peace, and the anti-joy. Its the misery loves company personified.

Bloodsuckers are those that we need to stay clear from. By being in their very orbit, they'll cause you to lose focus, lose shape, lose hope, lose individuality.

We need to surround ourselves with people who love, cherish each other, and genuinely care about someone else's wellbeing. Im trying to work hard each day to be a lover. Im working hard each day to be someone who encourages and gives life to those around me. We dont need negativity in our lives. Life sucks already. All of that other stuff is just extra; stuff that can be tossed away without an afterthought, or regret.

Spreading rumors and vicious lies brings down a persons spirit. You can also cause great damage to someone, to their integrity, and to those whom they love. In fact, bloodsuckers can be blamed for the recent rash of teenage suicides due to how their words and actions bully.

Who do you surround yourself with?

Original Article

So I usually do a post like this about every time there is a seasonal change whether wise; my life seasons seem to coincide with whats going on with nature. This time is a bit different though. Ive seemed to be preparing for my new season over the last 6 weeks. Fall seems to have arrived in atlanta practically over night, but Ive been planting seed and rearranging and reorganizing and rezoning for a while now. And everything is finally settling down.

I felt as if I was coming into something new since late August. After seemingly hitting rock bottom emotionally and spiritually, I ran home to Orlando to find love, comfort, peace, and wisdom. I got it, picked myself up from the floor and began working on the repairs of the brokenness. Some outward things I started doing was centering myself. Instead of having so many fringes of myself trying to handle so much, I decided to make my circle of gravity small. I got quieter, remembering the "listener" side of me...being slow to speak. I began staying away from the things that would try to suck me in and involve me in malice and ill intent. I cut my hair off. I rearranged my room. I cut out people who sought to bring me down and not lift me up. I stepped away from the drama. I also began attending a new church, the Church At Chapel Hill. And while I love Buckhead church and will attend on some Sunday nights, I feel I need to be at this new church now for further spiritual gro wth. Ive also rearranged work and project schedules to give me more "me" time which I was seriously lacking.

[caption id="attachment_905" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="My new haircut"][/caption]

My favorite change, though, is love. Ive regained love. I have actively started seeking out ways to show love. I want to hug more and let people know how appreciated they are. These actions and words are hard to come by here, so ive decided to tackle it.

What changes are you making as the new season breaks on us?

Original Article