What doesn't kill us, can only make us stronger

So lately I've been doing a lot of thinking. Just a lot of looking back at how far I've come and what I've been through. All the good times and hard times... 

It's in our human condition to dread and resent the hard and bad events that can come in life. I know this to be personally true of myself. In the moment it's like the entire world is coming down, it's as if there's no end to the grief and pain. You find yourself at night asking: will it ever end? Why me? What did I do to deserve this? 

And if you're like me it's hard to realize the true reasoning behind such trials... 

So this Sunday in church in Sunday school there was a lesson on trials and struggles. So I'm sitting there listening and interacting recollecting some of my more recent trials. One thing the lesson was good at was the fact it allowed an ageless phrase I've heard since I was a child... A phrase heard on the football field, at jobs in the past and out of my fathers mouth, "if it doesn't kill you, it'll only make you stronger..." 

We've all heard that saying a million times! But have we ever thought to contemplate and truly think what it actually means? 

So ask the question... Have you ever realized for the most part after a trial sometimes it's always followed by a clearly earth shattering lesson or revelation? It's like yeah the moment will be terrible! Like there's no way out but then once the storm ends.... The sun comes out again! 

It's like if we don't fall full prisoner to our trials and adversity a lesson shall follow. 

For example my car.... 

To the friends and family who've fought through that trial with me I'm super grateful... But back to the story... 

I'm going to be honest I'm the guy who if there's a problem with the car i send it into the dealer. I don't know cars... I've never had to fix a car or anything my dad on the other hand is awesome with cars, but as a boy and a young man as he worked on his cars I'd be doing my own thing... To be honest I regret not picking up on that valuable life knowledge sooner. So anyways; my car was have serious brake problems! I mean the car would lock up and the calipers were like blazing hot to the point that they were red!!! 

So over and over for about a month I had to send my car to the shop many many times! I had to take public transit which consisted of the Marc train and the metro to the bus to get to work! I mean it was just insane. It was stressful, I missed some classes, and it was actually expensive including repairs, car payments, and the fare for public transit. It was hard to say the least all this going on as I start a new job. 

Well at the end of the trial the struggles got easier. At the last repair after a month the car company finally decided to switch out the entire brake system, for pretty much free! It was so crazy to think I had dodged an extremely costly bullet! 

But when it was going I was just so out of it! So pissed off! But it turned out to be a huge blessing! What seemed like such a hard time turned out to be a great turn out! 

I mean not all trials end so nicely, but most come with lessons. Life was constructed that way. I look at it like God puts us through these trials to teach us the lessons you can't learn from an earthly instructor. 

It's hard to be thankful for those trials. But I think if we put in our heads that these trials are eternal lessons then I believe we'll find ourselves less stressed when we find ourselves in a predicament. 

So I'm issuing a challenge... Lets put in our minds to be thankful and look out for the lessons. Yeah I'm not saying be super happy and excited for every bad thing, but remember that God has a plan and he won't give us more than we can handle. 

The Artist- 

Spiritual Monday "Pioneer in us all"

So typically I aim to make a post on Sundays about something spiritual.... Sometimes, well okay most of the time it never ends up being that easy. But as I lay in bed and think back, the words of one of my friends came to mind, "You are a pioneer!" Yesterday at the monthly munch and mingle at church my friend uttered those words to me. So I thought I'd take the time to write around that.

So like I said at the annual munch and mingle which is traditional in Mormon singles wards I was stuffing my face with sun chips salsa and anything else that mixed into the Styrofoam bowl. My buddy and I were talking about the church and he was telling about the 6 generations of members, and I was going on about how crazy it was that I was the first of my family to join the church. He out of no where so naturally replied "You my friend are a Pioneer!"

Now when I think of pioneers my mind drifts back to the Oregon Trail computer game which gravitated my
attention in my elementary school years, or even more prominent in my memory the stories of the mormon pioneers who trekked across the United States in the mid to late 1800s.

Pioneers aren't simply those pulling carts across the countries and though their legacy shall live forever and the great trails they blazed for future generations, a pioneer can take up the burden and task of trail blazing every day.

So back to the munch and mingle...

I remember standing there half my mind on more chips and then the other half on people I haven't even met yet. Future generations that would know my faith through what I would call one of the most defining moments of my life to date. When I get down and think about my baptism of which it will be two years in October, I don't tend to think of myself for the most part. I tend to focus on generations of Royster's who aren't here yet. In a sense to them, I'll be a pioneer. It's quite a calling to take up. Like every step you make you realize that this could affect someone you may never meet. Every trial you face you realize that it'll touch a little one, that will prob come to existence in the next ten years. It's touching to think about that every move I make will affect more people than just myself.

I think about Pioneers often, and this is beginning to parrallel a previous post on legacy, but cares!

When thinking about pioneers, I think of my great grandfather Will Royster. He moved here from North
Carolina in the early 1900s. He started a family, which out of that family I was born. I don't know who or what I'd be if he hadn't taken it upon himself to be brave and move North to Maryland. His legacy is quite a big one to live up to.

Pioneers come in all shapes and sizes, of all walks of life. I look at Pioneers as usually being the first of something. Brave enough to trust in something greater than themselves and push onward with their dream. Pioneers don't care what others think and will fight on to the finish line for their desired end goal. Usually they have no idea what the future holds or what the end result will be, but they do it in the belief of a better life.

I started my spiritual journey 2 years ago almost to the day when I began to seek out my faith for the 2nd round as I like to say. (It's actually 4 years ago with a 2 year break in between)! But nonetheless when I called my friend 2 years ago for her to teach me more about my faith it was the single greatest thing I've ever done in my life.

Pioneers don't do it alone though...

Usually it's with the support of a very strong support system of friends, family, and neighbors. I've preached in previous post the greatness of my friends and family, and that still holds strong. But seriously it's true, from the Missionaries, to my friends and family both old and new, it has been that support system that has allowed this journey to continue. From my family and friends who've known me for years on years, to my friends within the church from my old ward in Odenton to the new on in Glenn Dale, it is you all who have been there for me and who have kept me going.

I consider myself a strong person, with a goal in mind, and that is to be as successful as I can be and raise a beautiful family for all eternity. I know I can't do it alone. The pioneers who set across the country to Utah didn't do it alone, my great grandfather raised a rather large family here in Maryland, political and civil rights pioneers worked together for change in the country we live in today.

What I'm trying to say without rambling on until 12am, is that we are all pioneers in our own light. In some way shape or form we are all blazing a path that there is no return from, that generations to come will sing our names. It's what we do today that will affect what happens to those who come tomorrow.

I honestly have no idea what the future holds, but compared to two years ago around the same time period, I'd say it looks quite bright. I'm so blessed to have such a strong faith and testimony, and wonderful friends and family both old and new to help me along the way. One thing I've seen this summer is the fact that I know I can count on them, and I hope they know they can count on me. The trail is thick and hard but I know I can make it. The backing of millions of pioneers from all corners of the world are behind me.

Like my friend said "You're a pioneer", well I'd like to say to all of you who read this "YOU'RE A PIONEER!!". As you go through life, don't forget that. Never forget every step you make is a step on a trail to be blazed.


The Artist-

It's about to take off!!!!

So phase one of "project suburbs" is nearly complete. Almost all my proposed team members for my creative team have accepted my request to join. All but one who agreed to help me in more of a mentor type role!!! Which is still very awesome! 

So I am nervous about this project. As I've stated I've been writing since I was 14 years old. I've written it all; books (short and long), poems, lyrics, and even two children's stories. But never a movie. It'll be a test to see what my team and I come up with. 

To be honest I have a vision in my head of what the movie and story will be like. But... There's no telling with the end product will be like. I'm working with 4 other minds on this. Truth be told that'll be a trial in itself. But it'll show my growth as an artist. 

The other thing is that I've never written a screen play. I've worked on my buddy's mini films behind the scenes, but nothing on the lengths ill be involved for my own film! 

I do have faith in my friends and all those involved. It's exciting seeing how fast things are coming together. Already two musicians have expressed interest in the project. (Look forward to a post on them in the future). I've even talked to a few proposed actors and actresses for proposed parts! It's just so exciting epic how fast things come together. What went from a group text message to 6 of my closest friends has now become a tangible plan!! 

So as always stay posted for more updates. It's gonna be an awesome ride!!! 

Note: (names of team members and actors/actresses, and musicians won't be undisclosed until prob a week from now) stay tuned! 

The Artist- 

Lets get excited!!!

I'm so excited about the progress of the movie project we're calling Project Suburbs. We're still in considerations of a main title. 

It's so exciting to see how excited my friends are and just the support we get. I believe this will be a fun project yet even more fun and amazing for the audience. 

I have a few people in mind for key roles in the film and I have my creative team for the most part on board. Two musicians have already agreed to put in work on the film. Also I have a stellar editing team ready for when we start writings.... Names of my team will be introduced once everything is solidified. 

You can check back here on The Guardian for updates as well as twitter and Facebook. 

Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I will!!! 

The Artist- 

Lets Make a Movie Folks

So I've been writing probably since I was like 14. I've written books, poems, and even lyrics, but I've never dabbled in the art of cinematography or screenwriting.... UNTIL NOW!!!!

So about December I devised an idea for a plot and story, which at the moment I'm not going to go to in depth in. But all I'm going to say is that it's the a type of college/suburb movie that's never been done.

So while at work today I decided to text 4 of my closest bros to try and get a creative team together... They showed there interest! So then I hit up another one of my boys, who was I thought my be interested, found 3 editors and even a DJ for some music. I'd say for the first day of what we'll call (PROJECT SUBURBS) we're off to a good start.

As the project develops, and as the vision grows, I'll be posting news and Vlogs on here from on set and behind the scenes. Utilizing Facebook, twitter, and Instagram I'll be posting casting calls! Like this is legit exciting, so exciting I've literally reverted from  my usually grammatical and professional style of writing in my posts.

Oh Well!!!

I know 2014 is gonna be sick and so is the rest of 2013. Check back for details and information. Who knows you may even play a part in the project!!!!

The Artist-

The ride to work

I sit here in this union station metro stop awaiting my ride to my job. I sit here with my music on as individuals ill probably never come into contact with walk to and fro separate destinations. There's not much communication between my home and my job..... A few head nods, a smile here and there and the always without fail subtle head turn at the cute girl walking past you... 

So I sit here on this metro, my mind still buzzing after the conference talk I had listened to moments before on the Marc train, thinking of the day ahead and vibing to some chilled out trip hop. 

But it's in that moment I ask myself.... How did I get here? 

When did I join corporate America and become a soldier of the 9-5 counting the week down to the weekend? When did pension and 401k become common words? When did I ditch the khaki pants and t-shirt for sleek stylish dress clothes? When did I go from becoming a missionary project to a missionary leader in my ward? 

Not to create a cliche but it all feels like my life changed yesterday.... But dead serious it seems like over night I woke up in this new world. Was I in cryogenic freezing? 

These blessings though seeming like they happened overnight of course didn't. The steps to get here can easily be recalled like computer data, fuzzy at first but then clear. What seems like over night, really got started two years ago when I decided to WAKE UP!! 

I had to Wake up to the fact there were powers bigger than myself. I had to wake up to the fact for a while I wasn't on the right path. Now as a disclaimer I've never had legal troubles or anything to destroy my life (knock on wood) but I was out in situations where god had to pick me up and put me back on track, like the trains that get me to work. 

I look around me at the bus stop I'm at now in the heart of silver spring. Beautiful office buildings and high rises create the back drop on this rather overcast day. I can't help but be a little proud that wow I've made it! Years of college, trials and tribulations, battles in faith and learning of myself in the last 2.5 years was all worth it. 

Now I stand at 24 in a power position to start my life maybe settle down within a few years, but nonetheless the opportunity is here. No matter what looking back on my journey is quite a story, it's my story.... My journey... 

So I sit here at the bus stop waiting on this bus for work, praying silently my dealership can fix my car! But I sit here finally taking a look back to recollect my journey. I can't help but smile. This is living proof life will pass you in a flash and a call to everyone to enjoy it for all it's worth. 

Good morning 

The Artist-