I am the type of person who likes to think, plot, plan, and even scheme. Most of those thematic synonyms are devoted to storytelling, but the first one on my list is geared primarily toward myself. I often silently sit or stand and think about all sorts of things, but if anyone asks me what I am doing or thinking, I respond with, "Nothing."

This is not a philosophical question or a quote from anybody, but it might sound like something someone said or asked. It is just a thought roaming around in my mind lately.

I think that sharing one’s beliefs is not inherently bad, but you should always consider the cause and effect to the best of your ability before doing so. That being said, I am going to do it anyway.

Words express what the one saying or writing them intends, but sometimes the intended message can be lost within the mind’s translation.

Let me start by saying that nothing here is any kind of justification for anyone’s actions. This is simply a representation of a thought process that I use while writing to create those characters that people love to hate.

Out of everything this individual did, I think this statement holds the most truth and is the most difficult thing anyone can do.

We live in a world where terrible things can and do happen. Take a good look at the events of the 20th century for example: World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Cold War, and The Gulf War are all events that brought about destruction in one way or another.

When I find a quote that is at the core of what I believe, it makes me smile.

This post marks the start of my second year of Ex Tenebris, I mention this because when I take the time to look back at my life, I see plenty of things that make me ask myself plenty of questions, and those questions are just 1/3 of why this blog exists.

When one person makes a statement, it can be received in all sorts of ways, and sometimes, thos words can lead to ideas that may or may not be connected to what was said.

Given the title, you might think that this post is about something that I have come to realize about the world, or maybe I have an idea that I think has to be true in my mind if not anyone else’s.

The truth is that Ex Tenebris is all about the thoughts, ideas, and experiences that have shaped my life. This blog is what it is, and the reason for this particular post is for me to insist that there is a difference between truth and reality.

This quote comes from a person whose career and life ended sooner than it should have.

At some point during your life, if it has not happened already, you will experience the darkest moments of your existence, and you might not even recognize it for what it is until that point in time has passed.

This quote is from an Author who is widely recognizable even if you have never read anything he wrote.

I am not sure when I figured it all out, but it had to be sometime when I was younger. Like nearly everyone, there are things you learn in the first few years of your life that once you are older you cannot truly pinpoint where that little bit of information has come from. But somewhere in my childhood, I learned that there two types of dreams.

I have written about love before (A Look at Love), but this particular Author has summed things up quite nicely.

I just want everyone who is reading this to know that I am fixated on the lies people tell, and for the past few years, I have been obsessing over the lies I am going to tell others. Now, if that sounds odd to you, simply replace the word lies with the word stories, and it will all become clear.

This quote is one that I first heard in my early adult life from my professor, mentor, and friend Bryan H. Barrows III. I know it has been years, but I am sure it is not only my opinion that you were taken from this world too soon.

If you have not figured it out by now writing is my thing and while I do not possess the ego to place myself on the same level as the giants of the literary world; I do hold my mind in high regard. The thoughts, concepts, and Ideas that come out of my gray matter are uniquely mine and I value them. That being said, no one is perfect, and while I strive to be the best that I can be each day, I still tend to make mistakes.

There is no shame in taking a look at one of the greatest minds our world has ever produced when in search of wisdom.