longings

my belly aches and my heart breaks from missing san francisco so much. i've been thinking a lot about decisions i've made, and whether or not they were the "right" decisions. my thoughts are spinning round and round... but, it's not like everything was easy up there either. after having lived in berkeley, i had this vision of living in a studio cottage with gardens surrounding it. it was completely possible, but circumstances hindered those possibilities. i feel like i also didn't give it enough of a chance, and this is where i can't seem to let go. i left too soon. the 'what-ifs' have been creeping in faster than fire spreading on dry brush. regardless, a lot happened in the one year i lived up there. even the "struggles" were worth it. i don't regret any of the things that happened, and in fact, no matter how hard things got, looking back, it was one of the experiences i felt alive. i didn't and don't disclose much about the things that happened, but it was probably where the real growth started. in any case, i would rather have gone through the struggles and cried and pried my way through than not having gone through them at all.

so now i'm back in la. basically, i came back because i missed it, but mostly because i had to choose between struggling, or having it the easy way. the easy way truly doesn't buy happiness, but at the same time, there's a relief in knowing you're taken care of and in good hands, except now, it feels too comfortable, and i'm uncomfortable with that. what is the term for someone who thrives on challenges and struggles vs. safety and comfort?

like i said, round and round...

always darkest before the dawn

heard this song so many times and only recently have i noticed the lyrics. 

Regrets collect like old friends / Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way / And all of the ghouls come out to play
 
And every demon wants his pound of flesh / But I like to keep some things to myself
 
I like to keep my issues drawn / It's always darkest before the dawn
 
And I've been a fool and I've been blind / I can never leave the past behind
 
I can see no way, I can see no way / I'm always dragging that horse around
 
Our love is questioned, such a mournful sound / Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
 
So I like to keep my issues drawn / But it's always darkest before the dawn
 
And I am done with my graceless heart / So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
 
'Cause I like to keep my issues drawn / It's always darkest before the dawn
 
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back / And given half the chance would I take any of it back
 
It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone / It's always darkest before the dawn
 
And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't / So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
 
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope / It's a shot in the dark aimed right at my throat
 
'Cause looking for heaven, found the devil in me / Looking for heaven, found the devil in me
 
Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me, yeah