The Story's Conflict

1. Baking cookies is exhausting.
2. A night with family is the best kind of night.
3. Write a blog post - Megan might get angry if you don't.
4. If there is no conflict, there is no story.

I am currently sitting at my kitchen table, surrounded by my family (mom, aunt Arlyce, uncle Rich, and cousin Joseph). Let me start off by saying that my uncle Rich is insanely brilliant and creative. He just got back from a script-writing conference in Hollywood. One of the main things he learned was "If a scene does not have conflict, there is no story."

My uncle, being the brilliant man he is, applied it to life. If life does not have conflict, then what is the point? Take a huge break-up. If it didn't hurt and if it didn't create some emotion, then that means there wasn't much there before.

Can you list all the fights you've had with friends? How about can you list all of the crazy things you've done in the past year? I know I can tell so many stories of fights/conflicts I've had with friends and I can tell you about the crazy antics that have happened too. Every single one of them has had a conflict involved, whether it be between myself and friends or myself vs myself.

And I've learned from each of them too. Try to remember a day where something crazy or weird or exciting didn't happen - pretty much impossible. If there is no conflict, there is no story. If there is no story, then there is no lesson. Without a lesson, then what is life? I try to learn something new every day (heck, that's why I blog). If I can't find something in my day that I can learn from, then what is the point of it?

Something can always be learned - no matter the situation. If a day seems too boring and utterly useless, create conflict. Scary, I know. But, why waste a day when posing a risky question or doing something a bit out there could create conflict and present a lesson?

Conflict also brings change. On a large scale, if a country disagrees with another, they will surely let the other know. But on a smaller scale, if something is not right in a relationship, the best thing to do is confront it and work it out. If it isn't talked about, the problem will still be there and change will never happen.

Don't be afraid of conflict. Without it, there pretty much is no life. So live, speak your mind, and learn.

Peace!

-Nicole

Cats (A Post by Melissa)

1. Cookies are delicious.
2. Flamboyant.
3. Milk is a good thing.
4. Melissa says salty olives are gross. Nicole disagrees.

Aww Yeah!

-Melissa

(Note: My friend Melissa decided to make an appearance on my blog. I agreed...and I have no idea why I did. Either way, enjoy the randomness.)

Breathe

1. Cookies are delicious and you make friends if you have leftover dough.
2. Laughing is fantastic.
3. Sticky hands are one of the greatest inventions ever.
3. Don't let things get you down.

I was feeling down today. And it sucked. I felt like a pest to my friends and I didn't feel like bugging them. Thankfully, they bugged me. It was fantastic.

We ended up goofing around, playing with some sticky hands someone gave us. Talked with my new-found twin and the girl I tackled (see last post). Spent time Skype-ing someone I have never met, but throughly enjoyed talked to. Enjoyed some Tang and a ton of cookie dough. Talked some more. Roommate came back from a debate tournament...intruded on her Skype conversation with her boyfriend a few times.

Most of the day was spent laughing.

All I have to do is remember to breathe between the laughter. Enjoy life...because it is fantastic.

Peace!

-Nicole