Chase to be a Waterfall

TLC once said, "Don't go chasing waterfalls," but lately I haven't been listening to them.

Over the past couple of days, I've been waterfall hunting- not intentionally, but it's just kind of worked out that way. Remember that blog about adventuring more locally? Well, I found out I've lived within a 10 minute drive of two waterfalls for the past six months, so I decided to pay a visit to the great, local bartenders of nature.

Of all the peaceful, relaxing, majestic and picturesque things about waterfalls, there's something I find quite peculiar: waterfalls seem almost immortal. Maybe it's just me, but whenever I'm watching a waterfall, I can't help but wonder where all the water keeps coming from. They just seem to pour and pour and pour and never stop. They never seem to run out of water, ever. It's like the body of water they come from never runs dry or changes. Gallons and gallons of water all from them each day, yet the body of water above never seems to change. It's astounding to me. They just keep pouring out. It makes me wish I was more like a waterfall, myself.

I'm truly astounded by the way waterfalls can continue pouring out all the day long, seven days a week. They never need a break. They never get tired. They just keep going and going, no batteries included. Sure, it rains and they collect run off, but it still seems like that wouldn't be enough for the amount of water that seems to come out of them. Waterfalls are like the little fountains that used to be in your grandmother's house that had a pump in them, pumping water all the day long, except they aren't fountains, and they aren't at your grandmother's house. They're in nature and they just keep doing what they do all day long. 

I wish I was more like this. I wish I could keep pouring out day in and day out. I wish I could give 100 percent at everything I do. I wish I could be completely, emotionally invested in every conversation I partook in. Even more so, I wish I could pour out more to others more than I pour into myself.

I wish I were more like a waterfall. I wish we all were. The more waterfalls, the more pouring out, and the more pouring out, the more filled up we would all be.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Chase to be a waterfall.

Silence: The Ultimate Third Wheel

For some people, listening to leaves fall isn't peaceful. It's scary and stressful because it's quiet. The silence is violent, especially within a crowd. As soon as silence hits, it's awkward, and it leaves one alone with thoughts, insecurities and curiosities of what others are thinking. Sometimes though, that's not the case. Sometimes, silence between people is pure gold.

It's 1 a.m., and I'm still awake. I'm sitting with a good friend and former college roommate in the basement of the house we're staying in. The lights are still on, but the television is off. There's conversation, but there's also silence. The conversation varies. Sometimes, faith comes up or memories of the past, and other times it's discussion about who has the ugliest looking feet. The silence though, is special. It's one of those silences that you don't feel any pressure to break because the silence is all that needs to be said; it's completely comfortable.

It takes a special kind of friendship/relationship to get those special kinds of silences. You may have noticed this, but any time you're in a circumstance in which you find yourself meeting someone new and having to make small-talk for a long period of time, silence is the enemy. If there's silence, it's awkward. However, that's not the case tonight. The silence is chill, calm and comfortable. 

Sometimes nothing needs to be said. You can just sit there in the company of someone you care about, and that in itself is enough, which is a strange concept. It's like each one of you knows what the other person is thinking, so the thoughts just take over, like telepathy. 

I'm not saying that I have the gift of telepathy or anything, but I think I definitely have the gift of a good friendship.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: The best friendships are the one's in which silence is the third wheel. 

The Power of Unity

Have you ever tried to play matchmaker with your friends? You know, like when you’re dating someone, and then you try to hook your best friend and his or her best friend up together. If it works, it’s the best feeling ever because you know you’re set on double dates for a lifetime! If it doesn’t, well . . . things have the potential to be a tad awkward. Anyway, the point I want to make is that it feels amazing when you see two people who never knew one another before that you care about get together and enjoy one another’s company. There’s nothing like seeing unity between people who had no unity before. There’s power and life in it.

This is why I love unity so much and why I love striving to see it happen. I love playing the matchmaker, not just in relationships but in friendships and business situations, as well. I love whenever I have two different groups of people I know come together to hang out and everyone has something in common. It always makes for a good time. I also enjoy seeing people connect who have never connected before. When folks find common ground in something and begin to share successes and struggles, it’s one of the realest things humans can do.

Lately, I’ve been reading the book of Nehemiah (Knee-huh-my-uh), and it’s a book full of unity. It’s a story of a guy getting together an entire group of different families and people in order to achieve a common goal based off of a commonality- their faith. Nehemiah is essentially a book about a guy who finds out the wall of Jerusalem has been knocked down. He goes off to rebuild it, and with the help of the Jewish people coming together, they rebuild the entire wall in just 52 days, despite (a lot of) opposition- An entire wall around a city, while fighting off bad guys in just 52 days. That’s fast, especially for ancient times. More so than just finishing an entire city’s wall in 52 days, everyone in the parts surrounding Jerusalem became terrified because of the work God had done in them to finish the wall saw fast. All the people from the outside looking in saw the unity the Jewish people had in their faith in God, and the outsiders were afraid all because of the unity they saw, and all because of the unity they saw, they saw God. Weird how all that works, huh?

Unity is a powerful thing, and that’s why it’s so special. It’s amazing when people can set aside their differences, come together over a common cause and overcome whatever obstacles are in their way. Whether it’s the United States turning from their political differences and coming together during a time of national crisis, a small town like Stillwater, Okla. coming together time and time again after a tragedy or simply a couple set up on a blind date, when unity happens, it’s a special thing. There’s nothing like it in the world. Strive for unity.

-Cliff

Cliff’s Note: There’s beauty in unity.

Small People, Dream Big

I had a dream that I played football, basketball AND baseball for Oklahoma State University all at the same time. I was a three sport starter at a division one university. I had another dream that I backpacked across Europe with nothing but a couple changes of clothes, a passport and a few friends. I've even had a dream that all of the cows my family owns could talk, and that they specifically told me that they did not want to go to McDonald's, but instead wanted to go to Whattaburger (smart cows, huh?).

Aren't dreams great? They're like little movies playing in your head while you sleep for 8 hours every night, so you're never bored. Not only that, but they're inspiring, too. They make the impossible seem true, even if it's just for a night, and they always leave you wondering, "What if that was real?" Dreams take people places, not just in the head, but in real life; however, in order for them to take you somewhere, you have to follow them.

Everyone has dreams. It's a part of life; however, it seems like dreams tend to get smaller the bigger we get. Every little girl dreams of becoming a princess and every young boy dreams of becoming a knight. Princesses and knights look different to each kid, but there's no doubt that all boys and girls dream to be a hero or heroine of some sort. There's just something interesting about how the smallest people, children, tend to have the biggest dreams. Then, we grow up and we aren't quite the princess or the knight we once dreamt of, and the dreams seem to change into nightmares or become unrecognizable. 

I want to ask you a question right now, and I'd like you to try to answer it.

What is your dream? 

It doesn't matter if it's impossible, doesn't exist or doesn't make any money. What's your dream?

Now, here's the challenge: tell someone that dream. Tell your mom, your best friend or even me, if you want to. Just message me or email me. I love hearing dreams, and I'd love to encourage you in yours.

I realize I talk about dreams a lot. It's because I'm passionate about them, and I want others to be passionate about them, as well. There is life to be had outside of living for the weekend, and that's why I want to challenge you to try to put your dreams into words, even if it doesn't make total sense.

Be a small person. Dream big. Who knows what could happen?

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Dream it. Say it. Share it. Do it. 

'Stressed Out:' A Song Review for Those Growing Up

Here's something different. I could blog about adventures, faith and life lessons all day long, and I'd likely never run out of anything to talk about, but let’s go somewhere else for a bit. I have 100 days of blogs to cover, so I figure I have some leeway with different things to chat about. 

I love music. It's one of my favorite things on earth. It usually doesn't matter what kind it is, I just love music. I enjoy country, rap, rock, alt, folk, electronic, and all the above. Without music, life would be quiet and quiet isn't always good. Life needs some background music, whether you're driving down the street or watching a movie, it wouldn't be the same without music. Here's to music, and here's to one song that I currently can’t stop listening to. 

The song is 'Stressed Out,' and the artist is Twenty One Pilots. Honestly, I feel like it describes a lot of my life right now, as I transition from school to the real world. If you'd like, listen above, and read below:

I wish I found some better sounds no one's ever heard,
I wish I had a better voice that sang some better words,
I wish I found some chords in an order that is new,
I wish I didn't have to rhyme every time I sang,

I was told when I get older all my fears would shrink,
But now I'm insecure and I care what people think.

My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think.
My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think.

Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days,
When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out.
Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days,
When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out.

We're stressed out.

Sometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I was young,
How come I'm never able to identify where it's coming from,
I'd make a candle out of it if I ever found it,
Try to sell it, never sell out of it, I'd probably only sell one,

It'd be to my brother, 'cause we have the same nose,
Same clothes homegrown a stone's throw from a creek we used to roam,
But it would remind us of when nothing really mattered,
Out of student loans and treehouse homes we all would take the latter.

My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think.
My name's 'Blurryface' and I care what you think.

Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days,
When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out.
Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days,
When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out.

We used to play pretend, give each other different names,
We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away,
Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face,
Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."
Yo.

We used to play pretend, give each other different names,
We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away,
Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face,
Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."
Yo.

Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days,
When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out.
Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days,
When our momma sang us to sleep but now we're stressed out.

Used to play pretend, used to play pretend, bunny
We used to play pretend, wake up, you need the money
Used to play pretend, used to play pretend, bunny
We used to play pretend, wake up, you need the money
We used to play pretend, give each other different names,
We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away,
Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face,
Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."
Yo.

I relate to this song a lot. I relate to the struggles of writing and originality, and I definitely relate to the idea of caring more about what people think of me now, rather than when I was younger. The nostalgic thoughts and pressures to grow up and provide for not only myself, but my future family also haunt my mind quite often, as well. The way I can relate to this song reminds me that I'm not alone in these thoughts, which in a way, is a form of encouragement. Growing up is scary, and it's easy to "wish to turn back time to the good, old days," but it's an unavoidable part of life that definitely has its perks.

I'm glad I don't have to grow up alone, and I'm glad there are hundreds of thousands of other twenty-something-year-olds experiencing the same types of thoughts and feelings.

Don't stress out, friends. You're not alone. 

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Growing up is a part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to stop dreaming. 

People Are Valuable

Before time began, God was. Infinite and perfect. Existing outside of time, but defining time. Then, in an absolutely controlled moment of chaos, He spoke everything into existence. All beauty and beast and light and life.

Galaxies upon galaxies; infinite upon infinite.

AND THEN! Mankind. Lovingly crafted in the image of that universe creator. Made in “Our” likeness. The first words about humans are words from God’s mouth, placing infinite value on his special mammals.

I spent the last year living in Seattle, where I worked with, served, and loved, a big ol’ mess of humans. More than any other time in my life, I was immersed in an unapologetically raw, vulnerable, and often dirty, expression of humanity. It was life changing. Exposed to very visible brokenness, I walked away with a better understanding of the redemptive power of people loving people like we were commanded to. The type of love that we’re called to is the most powerful of equalizers. There is no room for “us” or “them” in a love that says, “Love your neighbor as your self.”

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus gave two answers. Either Jesus was bad at math, or He meant exactly what he said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” I see Jesus making two very intentional points here:

1.     Earlier in Matthew, Jesus says that he has come to fulfill the law and the prophets; here, we see how that happens: love. Don’t miss how huge this is! The law, which existed to help people stay in right standing with God, was fulfilled by love: the love of Jesus as evidenced by his life and death; and the love of man for God and fellow man.

2.     Another statement that shows the value that has been placed on humans! I believe that “love God” and “love your neighbor” are the same commandment. Not because man is equal to God, but because love for God cannot exist without love for neighbor also existing! Jesus had every right to say that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God, and leave it at that. The fact that he didn’t – that He added the second part – offers a glimpse into the incredible value God has placed on people.

The most Christ-like thing we can do is to sacrificially love our fellow man. As followers of Jesus, and emulators of Him, we have a clear call to love our neighbor. Even to death. What a beautiful calling. How incredible that God has invited us in to the act of love. How humbling.

The world needs your love. People are valuable. It’s time to act.

-Clark

Clark's Note: There is no room for “us” or “them” in a love that says, “Love your neighbor as your self.”

This was a guest post done by my good friend, Clark Schofield, whom I met in Seattle in the Serve Seattle program. Big thanks to him for contributing to Cliff Notes on a topic that needs to be addressed more. His God-given passion and love for people are a blessing to all he comes in contact with.

Why 'Home' and 'Adventure' Should be in the Same Sentence

I spent 80 percent of this weekend driving around in a 1990's Toyota mini-van, and it was one of the most life-giving weekends of my entire life. It was the people, the beauty and the music. It was a camera in my hand, and it was having no agenda. This weekend was perfect.

This past couple of days, I drove around Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It's an island that's about a 30-minute ferry ride away from the mainland, and it's an island that's free from big cities and full of authentic, untouched Australian 'Bushland.' I have to admit, out of all the places we've visited while we've been here, this was my favorite. It trumps Sydney, Carnes and all the above. This is just personal opinion, of course, but for me, it was a wonderful experience exploring some of Australia's most preserved land. It had me wondering, "why don't more people come here?"

I talked to many locals around the Adelaide area before we left for KI, and many of them had never been, and the ones who had been had only gone when they were young. This amazed me. It's a place of such natural beauty, yet people don't seem keen to make the two and a half hour trek to the small island. It seems crazy to miss something so beautiful that's so close to home, yet honestly, it's the same deal for me; I don't explore home either.

Have you ever had the chance to explore what's around you? Or, better yet, Have you ever had the desire to explore what's around you? Your home. I mean like really explore it and appreciate it for what it is. It's super easy to take something for granted when it's close. It's easy to say, "I'll see it sometime. There's always next year." And then you say that for 10 years, 20 years and so on, and then it's too late. You've missed it. You've missed the adventure that was closest to you.

So far, I've missed it. I've missed the adventure closest to me. This is how I've treated my home state, Oklahoma, most of my life.

In reality, Oklahoma has some wonderful natural beauty that I've never taken advantage of. It's home to some of the oldest mountains in the world, the Wichita Mountains, it's home to a mini desert in the Little Sahara, and it easily has one of the most scenic freshwater lakes in the country at Beaver's Bend. I haven't explored hardly any of these places, and these are just a few of the many examples of local adventures that I haven't explored because honestly, what adventure could I ever experience at "home."

How wrong I have been.

The truth is, there's a lot of adventure to experience in one's home. Just like I've taken for granted all the wonder in my own home state, it's easy for others to do the same. No one ties the words 'home' and 'adventure' together in the same sentence very often, but I believe we should. There's plenty of adventure to be had right where you are, so have at it. You'll undoubtably see something you've never seen before. 

Go explore home.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Before you adventure across the world, adventure across your home.  

P.S: If you're interested, and want to join, I'll be planning some weekend trips across my home, Oklahoma, starting after the new year. If you'd like to join, get in touch with me. We'll make it happen.

Photo Blog: Kangaroo Island | Day 2

If you're going to South Australia, I definitely recommend going to Kangaroo Island. We spent the day experiencing some amazing beauty, and yes, we did finally see a kangaroo (I almost ran over it as it ran out in front of our car). Enjoy today's shots!

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Today's stops on KI were Admiral's Arch, Seal Bay, the Little Sahara and the Remarkable Rocks.

Photo Blog: Kangaroo Island | Day 1

One of the best things about traveling abroad is actually getting to travel. There's nothing like escaping the city blocks, buildings, and busyness. Cliff Notes will look a tad different over the next few days, as I'll be posting more photos than writing from the weekend trip we're on in Kangaroo Island. Photos are worth a thousand words, after will. Here are some shots from day one. 

Kangaroo Island, Day one: Zero kangaroos, one lizard.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: We went wine tasting, and visited a honey farm, a eucalyptus distillery and a beach called Emu Beach (which had no emus).

Church Doesn't Have to be at 'Church'

Last night, I went to Church.

There wasn't an amazing, world-renowned pastor speaking. There wasn't a great band with a guy in skinny jeans leading everyone in Hillsong United covers. As a matter of fact, it wasn't even at church. We just had church.

I was in a room surrounded by 14 other brothers and sisters, two babies and one dog. Eleven of the folks were from Adelaide. Three of us were from America. One of the folks is moving to Melbourne shortly. One of us Americans just arrived after traveling 10,000 miles today to join us. The ends of the earth were in one room about to go out to the ends of the earth once again.

There was food. Each person brought one of their favorite dishes to share, so we had a meal.

There was prayer, as we praised what God was doing in our lives and went to Him asking for relief in other areas.

There was worship through reading of scripture, reflecting on it and praying for its application in our lives.

It was Church.

It was a group of brothers and sisters who love and care for one another coming together to share a meal and share life together. It was a group of men and women from all different backgrounds coming together in Unity for the love of Christ in the living room of someone's house. Some of us were being sent out from that place to go to new cities and new countries, and one of us was coming to that place for the first time. It didn't matter though; we were all brothers and sisters sharing, encouraging, laughing and genuinely loving one another, and it was beautiful, just like the Bride of Christ is supposed to be. It's a memory I will cherish forever. 

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Go to Church (not just the building).

Creation Didn't Have to Make Us Feel Anything

(Photo: Greg McCown)

As I'm writing this, it's storming outside.

There are flashes of lightning illuminating the night sky and claps of thunder rattling the windows. 

I've forgotten how terrifying, yet amazing the sudden clashes of thunder and flashes lightning can be. The way the thunder seems to rumble from far off in the distance until it sounds like it's at the front door and the flashes of lightning bursting like camera flashes from the heavens are calming reminders of home. But why?

The sights, smells and sounds of storms don't have to tie into my emotions, but they do. Nature doesn't have to terrify, amaze and comfort me, but it does. 

Have you ever thought about that? Storms could have just been storms and nature could have just been nature, but instead we're tied to it all.

Rain puts us at peace.

Thunder humbles us with a sense of fear.

Lightning puts us in awe.

Storms don't have to make us feel peace, fear and awe, but they do. Why? Because we have a God who gives us peace, who we should fear and who we should be in awe of. I think He likes to remind us He created it all.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: There is evidence of God in all of creation. We just have to look for Him. 

4 Ways to Form Political Opinions (when you don't understand politics)

Politics are hard. They are divisive, confusing and full of big words that I don't understand most of the time, which is probably why my first and only 'C' in school came my senior year of high school during my concurrent U.S. Government class. It was a class full of conflicting viewpoints, arguments and essays about things I didn't understand, and frankly, didn't care about. 

It's hard to care about something when you don't understand it, even if that 'something' is in control of the country you live in. The only thing I really knew about politics growing up was not to talk about them in public because it was along the same lines of asking how much money somebody made or how much a woman weighed. I didn't know how to pick someone to vote for, what issues to look at, what sources were reliable and unbiased and, most importantly, how to form my own political opinions. I was pretty much left with whatever I heard my family or peers talking about, and I was clueless on how to form my own political opinions and decisions.

In America, being that it's a democracy and all, it's probably pretty important to know how to form one's own political opinions. Without that ability, we'd be a country of sheep following the person in front of us without any idea of why we're doing what we're doing (that's how I felt anyway). So, as the new election year approaches, I've set a goal to not be a sheep anymore. I've set a goal to learn how to form my own opinions and how to think for myself on national and global issues, and if you've felt like a political sheep your entire life too, I'd ask you to join me. Here's a few easy ways to start:

1) Challenge your own opinions
A good way to start forming your own opinions is to challenge the ones you already have. Challenge them, learn to defend them, and accept the possibility of being wrong about them. These are all good things. The better you can defend your opinion, the stronger it will be, and the more you're exposed to other opinions, the more credibility you'll have defending your own opinions.

2) Don't automatically dismiss differences
There's something to be said for listening to other people, especially when those other people don't have the same viewpoint as you. The only way to learn is to listen, and as soon as we start dismissing somebody the moment they say something we disagree with, we miss the opportunity to hear the viewpoint they're coming from and learn something new.  

3) Check out isidewith.com
isidewith is a pretty sweet site that, essentially, gives you a quiz over some national and global political issues and matches you with the top candidates who share the same ideas and opinions as you. It's like Tinder for politics. It's a great way to start looking further into candidates and issues on your own, and it helps explain what some of the 'big-word' policies and issues mean.

4) Follow social media
Because of Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites, keeping up with politics has never been easier. Even if you're 18, it's easy to click the follow button of a few political news sources and read a summary of a debate in 140 characters or less. It takes 10 seconds. Try it. 

As Americans, no matter how young or old we might be, it's important to know who and what we're voting for and the reasons behind those decisions. If you're clueless, like I often am, when it comes to politics, take some simple steps to at least begin to understand how to form your own opinions. At 18, it's easy to be apathetic, at 24, it seems even easier, but don't be. Challenge yourself. You and your country will be better off for it.

'Murica.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Politics are hard, and forming your own opinions is harder. Do hard things. 

Why I Write

For a long time, I've really enjoyed writing. It was my favorite subject in school because I was never any good at math or science, and it opened the door to creativity for me. I always enjoyed taking boring research papers and trying to turn them into something my teacher would actually enjoy reading. Writing allowed me, a quiet introvert, to express my thoughts and emotions in a way that didn't draw a lot of attention to myself, and it became a platform and stage I could be myself on. Writing is like the introvert's Madison Square Garden; it's a stage you can perform and be yourself on without anyone watching you.

I love the creativity of writing, too. I enjoy listening to stories and the ancient art of storytelling, and I love how writing can appeal so greatly to one's emotions. Why else would 75 percent of social media now consist of sharing articles full of inspiring stories and thoughts on life and how to live it? Writing puts letters together to form words and words together to form sentences and thoughts that match emotions and experiences. Writing is life-giving to me, and it's something I'm passionate about and love sharing with others. Hence, this blog.

As of late, however, it's become too easy for me to exchange my passion for success when sharing my writing with others. I've fallen into the trap of experiencing a taste of successful writing and trying to pursue that, rather than pursing the passion for writing. I've become more worried about what will get the most "shares," rather than focusing on being inspired by what I see, experience and feel. I've slowly drifted into the dangerous waters of pleasing others, rather than pursing passion. I started Cliff Notes in August so I could begin to write on a more 'professional' level and begin to take my passion for writing more seriously. Cliff Notes started to follow a dream, not to get shares.

 A few days ago, I wrote a post on why dreams are worth 30 minutes a day. I wrote this, not only as a motivation for others to follow their dreams, but also as a motivation for myself. Those who follow my social media, may or may not have realized I've been writing and posting a lot more over the past couple of weeks. I've written a lot more as of late because I'm trying to pursue that 30-minute/day goal and follow my dream. I want to be a writer, and to write for a living requires writing every day. Being a writer would be a dream come true.

With that, I've set a goal to post 100 blogs in 100 days. In order to make this happen, I'm asking for a lot of help. I'm asking for help from friends to write guest posts and I'm asking for accountability to keep writing. You see, I don't just want to write in order to "post 100 blogs" or clog up everyone's newsfeed, and I don't want just my voice heard. I want to write and share writing relevantly, and I want to write quality content that inspires, reflects and challenges myself and others. The last thing the internet needs is more "content" that just takes up space. Writing is a gift and passion God has given me. I want to steward that gift well, and I want Him to be glorified through that gift.

So here's to 85 more days of writing, and cheers to you if you've been reading and following Cliff Notes. I truly mean it when I say that every time you read a post or give some feedback, you're helping make my dream come true, and I can't thank everyone enough for that. It's like my own, personal Make-A-Wish foundation. It will be interesting to see how this season of writing evolves, but you can be sure to expect to hear from some other inspiring writers, as well throughout the process. I couldn't be more stoked. 

Let's make a deal. If you keep chasing your dreams, I'll keep chasing mine.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Writing is like the introvert's Madison Square Garden; it's a stage you can perform and be yourself on without anyone watching you.

Cliffhangers: Oct. 25 - 31

A list of some of my favorite articles, photos, videos and good news from the week:

A funny article here by Jon Acuff on 'Halloween Hating:' Stuff Christians Like

Teenagers in Michigan created a pallbearer program to carry homeless war veterans in their final hour. Pretty cool: Good News Network

Here's a good article summarizing some of the conflict in the Middle East: Relevant

Some cool photos photographers took to prove hope in humanity: Huffington Post

A really great video explaining possibly how/why Donald Trump's campaign is so successful: Storybrand

A great read on the difference between resting and being lazy: Relevant

An Oklahoma artist wrote a song to remember the lives lost in Stillwater, OK this past weekend: Pistols Firing

Finally, my favorite Halloween clip of all time: "I got a rock" = my life.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

-Cliff

There's an 'lol' in Halloween

Ever since I was born, I've celebrated Halloween. Don't ask me how a new born baby celebrates Halloween, but he does. One moment I'm a baby, and *poof* the clock strikes midnight (just like in Cinderella) on the morning of Oct. 31 and I'm a ghost baby. I probably scared my mother half to death after she put me in that costume. I don't know if they were expecting me to walk through walls or be the next Casper, but unfortunately neither happened, and thus, I was a normal, drooling baby the next day. Now, don't take this as hating on Halloween, but there's a reason there's an 'lol' in Halloween (yes, I know the letters aren't in the same order). Halloween is a funny holiday, and it's a holiday people celebrate in funny ways. Let me explain.

I've been to lots of parties in my time, and I've dressed up for a lot of them; however, not once have a ever gone to a party all dressed up and thought, "Wow. This is a great party, but do you know what would make it better? Candy corn. We need candy corn." Why is the face of the Halloween candy market candy corn? It never fails, half of the houses you go trick-or-treating at hand out candy corn. It's possibly one of the nastiest candies on the market, and it just makes me feel like I'm chewing on Nemo the clown fish the entire time I'm eating it (this is strictly opinion, of course, so if you love candy corn, my apologies).

Next, after all the families on the block have bought over-priced candy corn to hand out to every kid down the street except their own, it's time to buy costumes. No need to rush though because weeks before Halloween itself, the costumes are out. Go into any Walmart, Target or superstore and you'll see the Halloween costumes out in full force starting in September. Why all the preparation? All you need is two hours, tops. Grab three slices of bread from the pantry, stick one on your head and one on each foot, and *poof* you're a sandwich . It's a winner every year. 

Got your costume? Perfect. Now it's time to teach the opposite of what's been taught all year. For 364 days a year we've taught kids not to take candy from strangers, but now, for one day a year we're going to teach kids not only to take candy from strangers, but to also go wandering up to their doors or cars dressed in costumes and ask for said candy. What? Don't get me wrong; I lived for this back in the day. I longed for the year when I would finally be able to go trick-or-treating by myself, but now it makes sense why my parents wanted me to be older than the ripe age of five to go by myself. Collecting candy from strangers dressed as pumpkins; it's a strange concept.

Finally, now that I'm older and understand the peculiarity of trick-or-treating, I've found a better activity, that may or may not be just as weird: carving pumpkins. Culture has decided that slicing faces into pieces of produce (that are only used once a year might I add) and then lighting them on fire in front of our houses is awesome. I agree. This has turned into the prime event after succumbing to the dreadful age of being "too old" to trick-or-treat. I join the folks going out in hoards to local pumpkin patches to pick a favorite one for carving up more carefully than the Thanksgiving day turkey. It's an art, and so is Halloween.

However you do Halloween, keep doing it weird. It's what makes the memories.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Boo. 

(p.s. Sorry, mom. I know the photo at the top is not your favorite.)

Looking in as the Dust Settles: A Note from Matt Fletcher

Now that I’ve had a little time to digest what happened at the Sea of Orange Parade on Saturday, I’m starting to see things a little more clearly. No, I don’t understand why any of this happened. I’ll never understand why these things happen. But I am now able to see just how lucky we are, as Oklahoma State, despite how unlucky we appear to be these last 15 years.

I don’t know what it is about Oklahoma State and the Stillwater community that makes us so strong. So resilient. I’ve never really understood why we are the way we are here. And sometimes I think I take it for granted.

While I worked at the Information Desk in the Union, I regularly spoke with families visiting campus. The parents were always so blown away by how friendly everyone was to them during their visit. My response was always, “That’s just the way we are around here.”

I may not ever be able to put my finger on it. Do we just attract that kind of person here? Is there something in the water? Are we doing something to everyone once they’re here that molds them into the Cowboy Family? I have no idea what it is, but I know I couldn’t live without it.

When I heard the news of what happened at the parade on Saturday, I was far from it. I was in the parade that morning with the OSU Spirit Squads, but we were near the front, right behind President Hargis and Ann. I had already stopped by my office to respond to some emails and made it to the stadium to review the script for the game when we heard what happened.

From there, my day was probably very similar to everyone else’s. I tried wrapping my head around what was going on. I found a quiet place in the stadium, let out some tears, and prayed. Then I headed to the Alumni Center to prepare for the pregame pep rally I help put on. I sat in a hallway with members of the Spirit Squad, including Taylor Collins, the Pistol Pete who helped take victims to Stillwater Medical Center. He never mentioned a thing about it.

As a matter of fact, no one said anything. The hallway that is usually filled with energy and laughter was completely silent. No one spoke. Most buried their heads in their phones, trying to get the latest information. Some fought back tears. We were told the pep rally was canceled but The Walk was still happening. When we loaded up to head outside, the students had one of those moments that made me proud to get to work with them. “Let’s get out there and put some smiles on those faces,” Preston Whitlaw, the other Pistol Pete, said in hopes of rallying the troops. And they sure rallied.

Having the game on Saturday was a tough decision for our administrators. Looking back, I agree with the decision completely. In the moment, we were all unsure how we were going to get through it. Our job is a little unique on game days. No matter what the situation, whether we’re losing by 80 points or there is a horrific wreck at the Homecoming Parade, it is our job to rally our fans into having a good time.

I was incredibly proud of our students for pulling together the way they did during the game. As someone who also had to “fake it” during the game, I know it wasn’t an easy task. But it did get easier once we got everyone into Boone Pickens Stadium. As it has been mentioned by several others, it felt good being in there with the OSU Family. Personally, my most comforting moment was during pregame when I got to lead the Orange Power chant. The fans got going and I closed my eyes on the 50 yard line for just a few seconds and listened. It felt like I was getting a hug from 59,000 people.

The OSU Family is special. I hate to admit, but it’s something I take for granted far too often. But in situations like this, I’m incredibly happy to have them on my side. I just hate that we keep having these moments to prove how strong we are.

But that thought reminded me of a lesson I tried to teach a few weeks ago, when I was privileged with the opportunity to speak to FCA. In my talk, I spoke to the students about 1 Corinthians 10 where God says you will not be tempted with more than you can handle. I told them that when you are going through difficult times in life, it helps to look at it as a compliment from God, because he will not put you through something you cannot deal with.

And maybe that’s a way to look at all of this. We talk about these last 15 years and the tragedies the OSU Family has had to pull together for over and over. Although it’s heart breaking, maybe we can also take it as a compliment from God. At least He knows that the Cowboys are strong enough to pull together in difficult times like this and be an example.

And although we’ll never fully heal from this horrible event, I know we’re going to continue on and stand strong as a family. I know this because I’ve already seen it happening. I saw it in our Spirit Squad’s rally during the game. I saw it Sunday night when more than 1,000 students showed up for the candlelight vigil at the Student Union. And I see it in every picture of hospital visits, fulfilled GoFundMe pages, and tokens of remembrance at the pole on Hall of Fame and Main.

I love this family. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. 

- Matt

This was a guest post written by my good friend, Matt Fletcher, the Fan Development Coordinator at Oklahoma State University Athletics. Big thanks to him for contributing to Cliff Notes on such a difficult topic in light of the recent tragedy surrounding the Oklahoma State University family. 

Life's a Puzzle. Do it.

I like puzzles, but only when I know what they're supposed to look like when they're finished. If someone hands me a 500 piece puzzle in a plastic bag, but I have no idea what the finished product is supposed to look like, it doesn't usually work for me. Even if all 500 pieces are there, I still have to know what colors go where and what shades make up each of the borders, otherwise, it's no puzzle for me. It would just take too long to figure out. I don't have the patience. 

Sometimes life feels just like this. It feels like a giant puzzle that you're given all the pieces to but don't know what the end product is supposed to look like. You have all the right pieces, but you're not sure where they all go, so you have to piece them all together slowly but surely as they come. I guess that's why we have a lifetime to figure it all out.

I've felt like this a lot lately. I'm going through situations, interviewing for jobs and facing difficulties that only make sense now because of what I've experienced in the past. It's as if I was given the pieces a long time ago, and they're just now fitting together, whereas before I was just sitting there with those pieces thinking, "Why do I even have these?"

It's as if everything happens for a reason, as cliche as that is. Could there really be some great, Puzzle Master handing out all the pieces to everyone, in order for everyone to work out there own puzzle at their own pace. I'd bet my puzzle on it. Some puzzles are bigger than others, some are different shapes and some are different colors. Some puzzles have smaller pieces, others have bigger pieces and some take longer to solve than others. The point is this: life can be puzzling at times, and we don't always know why we're holding the piece we are until we find the corresponding piece. Sometimes, that takes years. 

My very first internship in college was an events internship at the university's library. Since then, I've had several other event-related jobs, without ever actually trying to have event-related jobs. Weird, right? Now, I'm applying for an events-related job at a major concert/sports venue. Will I get the job? I don't know, but I do know I have the puzzle pieces to match it. In this unique case, it's not like I was every trying to collect 'events' puzzle pieces; They often just seemed to be handed to me. For now, I'm not sure, but it may seem they were handed to me for a reason. I can't wait to find out.

What pieces are being handed your way? Do you like the shape and size of them? If you do, great! If you don't, keep holding on to them. You never know when their corresponding pieces might show up.

-Cliff

-Cliff's Note: Life can be puzzling at times, and we don't always know why we're holding the puzzle piece we are . . . until we find the corresponding piece.

5 Answers to the Question: 'Why Travel?'

Traveling is more than paying lots of money to get on a plane and go somewhere. It's more than sightseeing a city's tourist hot spots and more than blowing up social media with "cool" posts. Traveling is about changing one's perspective on life. No two places in the world are exactly alike or do life in the same way, and the more places you can see, the more ways you can see how others do life. The beautiful thing about traveling is that it doesn't have to be across the world or across the country, and it can be as expensive as you make it. Even taking a trip to your next closest city will expose you to new ideas, new people and new walks of life. Travel, and here are some reasons why:

1) Learn why others think the way they do

One beautiful thing about the world is that no two people think exactly alike. If there's one thing traveling can teach you, it's that people have legitimate reasons behind their thoughts, ideas and beliefs, and some of those thoughts, ideas and beliefs are the exact opposite of yours. Some of our biggest national and global problems stem from political differences, but did it ever interest you to know the why behind those differences? Traveling and experiencing new cultures begins to reveal, at least parts of, the reasons why others may think differently about a situation than you do.

2) Growing up

There's something about traveling that helps a person grow up. It's like an adventure or a quest, not always to find oneself, but even more so to find out about others. A part of growing up is discovering the world and how it works. It's about discovering the answers to all of those "why" questions you've always asked, and it's about seeing the pictures from all of your school textbooks come to life. Traveling helps turn the childhood moments of learning into the adulthood moments of experiencing. 

3) Meeting people

When traveling, especially traveling alone, you're required to meet people. Meeting people will be a part of asking directions, interacting with locals at the downtown pub and exploring a new place. There's something special about meeting people that are in different places, experiencing different walks of life that you may have never thought about. Being able to swap stories across states, countries and cultures is a special art form that's centuries old and that will continue to be centuries new until the world can be traveled no more. 

4) Understand what its like to be on your own

Even if you're traveling in a group, there will be some sense of being on one's own while traveling. Maybe it's just the idea of being away from home or being away from family and friends, but there's always this sense of independence while exploring. Home is miles and miles away and cell phone reception may or may not be available, so it comes down to figuring out a situation and enjoying the independence that comes with a side of adventure. There's an African proverb that says, "If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together," but there's anything wrong with experiencing pieces of life on one's own and learning from that.  

5) Make memories

This one is as cliche as it comes, but memories are some of the most valuable pieces to a person's life. They're hope to cling to and old stories to laugh at. Look at it this way, which are you more likely to remember and reminisce on in the long run? A new shirt or a concert featuring your favorite band? Traveling makes memories. Memories are made through experiences and experiences come through seeing new things.

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Traveling isn't about the money you spend or how far you go. It's about the way it changes us and challenges us. 
 

Why Your Dreams Are Worth 30 Minutes a Day

Has anyone ever told you that you can't do something? Not in a way that says, "Don't touch that," but in a way that says, "That's impossible." Maybe they said you weren't smart enough, weren't rich enough or weren't good enough. Maybe they said it's not logical, it's too big of a risk or the odds are too great. Whatever anyone has said, forget about it, at least for this instance. Forget what they said and remember what your heart said when you had the idea. Remember your dream.

Now that you've thought of that dream, ponder on it for a moment, and try to remember why you thought it was possible. Don't concentrate on the reasons why it might be impossible, but concentrate on the reasons why you believe it is possible.

You see, dreams don't just come out of nowhere. They form over time, and they form out of experience. Maybe it was a sport you grew up playing or a business idea you had that could change the world. A dream is founded in something, and that something is usually passion. We all have a passion for something, and it's because of that passion that we all have hopes, dreams and wishes.

As a recent college graduate, it seems like most of these dreams take shape around college-age individuals. It's a time people begin to be more exposed to the world and more aware of the opportunities out there to change it, so "dream jobs" develop. Many times, it's after college that those dream jobs seem to slowly turn into just dreams. Steady 8 - 5 jobs are found, and routines develop. Families are made and life goes on, but then what about that "dream job?" Does it just die and go away, or does it turn into a haunting nightmare because it was never pursued? I don't want to find out.

Dreams need to be pursued, and they need to be enjoyed. They need to be met with goals and practical ways of achieving them, and as difficult as that sounds, maybe it's not that difficult. If your dream is really your dream, it will be backed with passion, and that passion will be fueled by joy. If you have a dream and want to do it, there will be joy pursuing it.

Here's my challenge to you: Spend 15 - 30 minutes a day doing something in pursuit of your dreams. It doesn't have to be anything that costs money or radically alters your schedule; it just has to be something that puts you on track to see dreams come true. Maybe it's something as simple as sending emails to organizations or companies you want to work for, or maybe it's as tedious as learning an entirely new skill. Whatever it is, try it. Dreams don't have to stay dreams. They can come true, and that in itself is why pursing them is worth it.

After all, if you've spent your whole life dreaming something, isn't it worth 30 minutes pursuing?

-Cliff

Cliff's Note: Don't let your dream become a nightmare because you never took the time to pursue it. 

Together Beside 'Still Waters'

It's been less than 24 hours since, yet another, tragedy at Oklahoma State University has occurred. Within the past 15 years, the university and city of Stillwater, Oklahoma have experienced two plane crashes and now an automobile accident that, in total, have claimed the lives of 18 men, women and children. This is something I don't understand. I don't understand how it keeps happening to the small-town, friendly university I attended in a town I call home. How can one school experience this much pain within a 15-year period?

I've grown up attending OSU sporting events, and, as all OSU fans do, I remember the pain from the plane crash in 2001 that took the lives of 10 members of the Cowboy family, and I remember the pain from the plane crash in 2011 that took the lives of 4 more. Now this. Another tragedy.

I think it's wrong to say that someone can get good at experiencing tragedy. That should never be the case; however, one can learn how to respond to tragedy, and that's one thing the Oklahoma State family has done. 

As OSU president, Burns Hargis, said, "The Cowboy family pulls together. Unfortunately, we've done it before, and we'll do it again."

President Hargis said it well. He reminded us that, no matter what, we know how to come together as a family, and that, no matter what, we've still got each other.

After a day like Saturday, it's hard to find bright spots. Even with 60,000 fans clad in bright orange and a tremendous win from the football team in a game that felt funny to be playing, things seem bleak. However, there are bright spots. OSU is together, OSU is a family, and OSU is surrounded in encouragement, support and prayer. Encouragement came in from not only across Oklahoma, but from across the country. It's a special thing when even the biggest rivals can come to reason that, at the end of the day, football is only a game and life has always been and will always be more important than that. As encouragement and support came, so did hope in prayer. As many questions as there were of, "Why did this have to happen?" there were even more prayers. Instead of seeing condemning Tweets and posts, there were tweets of prayers- prayers for the victims, the city, the school and for the driver. These, friends, are bright spots. It's a bright spot and an encouragement that, not only the Oklahoma State University family, but all of its supporters, have learned the best way to respond to tragedy, and that's through coming together, prayer and encouragement. 

I am thankful that the Lord is our Shepherd, and that, despite tragedy, He leads us beside still waters to restore, refresh and revive our souls when we need care most. As we reflect on Saturday's events, may we pray and mourn with those who mourn together as a family, but may we also take heart, Stillwater; He leads us by still waters.

-Cliff