For Sara, Love Austin
My name is Austin and I’m going to tell you why I’ve chosen to be happy.
Before I start I just want to clarify that I am not a hippie type person by any means, just someone who has seen how much of a cruel person I was and is trying to live his life in the most humble, respectful, polite manner I can humanly be.
I am 23 years old and I work for a High School as an Assistant to the Director of Technology. I like my job and I enjoy what I do. I have always been a tech person. I have a beautiful fiancee Sara that I love very dearly, I have been with her for 5 years. I am great friends with her brother Jeremy who is more like a brother to me now more than anything. I have two other friends Logan and Jared who are always there to help me when I need it. I am truly blessed and I am thankful that I am lucky to have relationships like these.
My family however is broken these days. My one brother lives out in Colorado and my other in town. Long story short, there have been many fights and no one really talks to each other. To say I don’t care is an understatement, I used to not care at all. 5 years later however I am beginning to realize how much I truly do care and wish that we could go back to being a family. Life is full of mysteries isn’t it, just one riddle after the other, an endless puzzle. So how does one find truth and put their feet to the ground and push on? Attitude.
Life is all in the mind, yes there are events that define you, but it is always up to you to figure out how you will deal with it. The world truly is a messed up place, but it is still up to you on how you are going to live each day.
For me, I’ve chosen to stop being cruel, spiteful, hateful, angry, and malicious. It hasn’t helped me in the 23 years I’ve been alive. I know it’s easier said than done, but I’ve just become so tired of being an angry person, even though I have every right to be! I want to be happy, I want to be happy for my Mom who is the best Mom I could have, I want to be happy for my fiancee, I want to be happy for my friends. I want to set an example for everyone not for some “Self-righteous” quest for satisfaction, but because I am tired of being filled with hate. Hate will kill you.
On a happy note one of the things I have started doing is taking up new hobbies. One of them right now is smoking meats. I am still a novice but I have started to get pretty good. One of the books I have been reading is by Aaron Franklin who runs a BBQ called Franklin’ BBQ in Austin, Texas. His story is inspiring and truly humbling, it is definitely worth reading. Hopefully, one day I can wait long line and eat that legendary brisket. For me right now though BBQ has been a great way to have my family and friends over and share each other’s company. Because I am truly at peace when I am in the company of people that I love, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
If you'd like to email me
Austin Bard
Ohio
[email protected]