Thank you, Aretha Franklin, for summing 2010 in one little bumpin' phrase:

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me . . ."

Amuse me.
For me, this year has been all about redefining ___________ (insert your choice word here).

My choice word?
respect.

I find it annoyingly ironic that the term "respect" is thrown around so casually - like a newborn over a flaming bonfire pit. Careless. I find it annoyingly ironic that some people demand respect, yet they never define it - never give it.

I've heard the phrase that respect should be earned. Yet, I believe the manner in which you earn it is what is to be respected . . .

I think most people miss the point of respect. I think they forget that it's not something that magically appears in one simple poof with fog lights and a hearty "hoorah" and fist pump by the genie look-alike that elegantly graces the background of your mind.

My heart deeply believes that respect is a fragile thing. It's hard to gain, it's hard to give, but it's even more difficult to grow.

Respect, in its fundamentally raw self, is something that needs to be nurtured.

Respect, I believe, is like a beautiful tree. It needs to be nurtured so the roots have permission to explore the dark tunnels of dirt, create a firm grip on the deep soil. Nurtured so that it may gain its colorful hue from the moisture stored purposefully away in the ground. Nurtured so that when spring has sprung, it may survive the dry and stiff summer heat and the unforgiving winter. Nurtured so that when the weight of the stagnant ice bears heavily down on the branches, respect will not break, because it has been loved from the beginning root.

So here's to you, respect. Forgive us for being careless with you. I pray that you will continuously be redefined, gained, given - but most importantly, grown . . . in all of our lives.

"Quitting Is Such A Cowardly Thing"

Quit, Quit, the orchestra of pain seems to sing

Just walk away. No

Sprint, Sprint, quitting is such a cowardly thing

Endure, Endure the birds cry before heading south

But they see warmth. So

Fly, Fly and do not let that word escape from your mouth

Surrender, Surrender the old man states

You cannot win. That

Smoke, Smoke will only suffocate

Speak, Speak, my deceitful heart cries
It is your place. Wait
Believe, Believe, naive enough to buy the lies

So quitting, quitting, here I cause the bell to ring
Walking away. Yes

Sprinting, Sprinting, to quit is not such a cowardly thing.

"The Last Leaf of Fall"

The last leaf of fall helplessly dangles
In these unforgiving gusts of wind

Hold on, you strong, obstinate root
Don't let your fiery orange color descend

You must remain an accessory to this tree
Otherwise people will not recognize you
Instead they welcome in the winter
And disregard the beautiful autumn hue

Cruelly torn apart, you will be
Frayed beyond the point of recognition
Slowly dissected by such careless words

And winter's prideful ambition