What to Expect, When You're Expecting

"It is not her fault that she doesn't know and we're not going to hold that against her are we? No we are not. You sing whatever it is that is in you to sing" - Sister Mary Clarence, Sister Act 2

I've learned that it's best not have expectations of other people. As human beings, we're made, imperfect. Of course. As much as we try not to make mistakes, we will. Of course. When we have expectations of o people, even as little as they may be, they will more than likely disappoint you. So I say not to expect so much, expect less if not at all. Know what that person can give you and build from there. We can't expect people to know everything. That's a given. In actuality, that's how most of us act.    Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked you about something, for example, the boy band One Direction. And you replied not knowing who or what they were talking about? Like "Who's One Direction?". And then they look at you like "WHAT?! HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW ONE DIRECTION". Well, as popular as those boys may be, there are people in this world that have no clue who they are, or even know they exist. That's just the way us humans work sometimes. We assume by popular reason. Anyway, the goal here is to not have so many expectations and be thankful for what that person can give. It's easy, it's give & take. It's give & give back. 

So, what to expect when you're expecting: 

If you expect noting, you'll always get more than what you expected. - God is LOVE

I am what I used to be and still am what I was

Last year I was telling my friend Due how I wanted to double the amount of blogs I write from the last year. That previous year I wrote about 125. I don't think I've written about half of that and it's practically the last quarter of 2012. I think the main reason why I stopped writing on this blog was because I felt like peoples opinions and out looks on life shouldn't be determined by what they read on someone else's personal blog. But then it hit me that it is important to share things that you think, experience, love, hate, etc. In case what you say and think does really help someone. And it's the readers responsibility whether or not what you say dictates their lives. With that said, I started a video series called "I used to V.L.O.G." (see what I did there). To verbally share with you some of my thoughts on certain topics. Enjoy. 

I used to V.L.O.G. - Curiosity from Donnel Barroso on Vimeo.



I used to V.L.O.G. "Q&Q" from Donnel Barroso on Vimeo.

I used to V.L.O.G. "8 Hours" from Donnel Barroso on Vimeo.

Realest People I Ever Wrote... "Fly or Ride"

I guess I met him when I considered myself a "dancer". I guess we were friends cause I was the only one out of the company that had a car. I guess the reason why we became great friends is because of the car rides. 

It was a summer evening when I got a text message about a party. Asking if I was going. Do you ever get asked those questions where the person asking already knows the answer? That's the type of questions he used to ask me all the time. He knew I could never give the answer he wasn't looking for. Because he knew I'd be down for anything. And I wanted to be that ride or die friend. On the car ride there we talked about what to expect from the party, like, who was going to be there, what girls were going, (even though we both had girlfriends at the time), what guys were going(cause you know how boy drama is), and all the other drama that was going on around us. All topics ending with a "But whatever, ?uck that, let's just chill". 

Whenever we get to a public gathering there's always some business to be dealt with, whether it be about a girl or picking up some party paraphernalia. In my car he'd always be getting text messages, and I assume it's from someone at the party already waiting to talk to him when he gets there. And surely enough it was. He skips a couple greetings and slips into a one on one session with a friend talking quietly, or laughing hysterically. I say my wassups and what not and kickback and look for food as usual. The thing anyone will notice about him is that he never calls for attention. Attention always gravitates towards him. There's always someone vying for his attention. As if the Dalai Lama just walked into a buddhist temple. All these people are his life, his family, and he knew that. And just like me, they would always give him the answers that he was looking for. But not in that bullshit way like they're sucking up to him. They genuinely really would ride, or die for this guy. And that's what I admired most about him. I wasn't like that, I'm not like that. And I think that's what he admired most about me. 

He was a leader of the people. And any help he needed, he could get because he was loyal, and so were his friends. So was I. I didn't need the people, I could care less, I was a leader unto myself. Any help I needed, I could help myself. 


Once I got into my room, I wished I had people that were down for me like that. But I also think that he wished he was free from all those people. We both wanted what each other had. Though, we had it, because we both had each other. - God is Love 

the notebook.. Finding Forever

Yesterday I was looking through old photographs of myself and my friends etc. I had a thought and it was.. "I think you know when you've found out who you are, when you look back on yourself and don't regret a thing". No matter what haircut we had, old interests and old friends, all that has come to who you are now. And if we're satisfied with who we are, then you've found yourself. I think we all know who we are, and where we're going. It's just sometimes, we forget. And when we do, go back to the first place you last checked and it will lead you back to where you are, right now. That's exactly where you need to be. - God is Love

Thug Life

Happy Birthday. Thug Life. RIP. - God is Love 

AoGB... "Exercise"

When people ask me if I dance, I say, yes. If people ask me if I'm a dancer, I say no. I can't call myself something if I don't do it. I won't be able to feel like one, if I don't do it. Some people believe they need to get in a "mood" to be able to do something. To work, to dance, to write etc. Everyday I think about writing in this blog. Everyday I try to write something, but mid-way through I get distracted and scrap the whole thing. I'd like to call myself a writer, but I can't do that if I don't write. So I'm going to write. Even if I don't feel like it, even if I'm not in the mood. Even if I have nothing to say. I won't have anything to say, if I don't say anything at all. If I don't speak, in this case, write, my mind. Then who will? Exercise. Let's hope this works out for me, works out for me. - God is Love

Letters, to the past, present, and future

 Dear Past, 

I'm thankful for all that you've done for me, and how you've paved the way. I think I'm ready to surpass you. Move passed you. 

Dear Present, 

I'm thankful for where I am, and what I've done. And the road I've paved. But this is no reason to stop, keep moving. 

Dear Future, 

Be thankful for your past and the people that have inspired you and have made things more possible for you to succeed. I hope you surpass everything I have done, times two. billion. 

- God is Love 

More Notes... "Why do we say 'I love you'"

Growing up we're taught that before we can receive a reward we must have completed something to deserve it. Before we could play outside we had to clean our room or wash the dishes. If we wanted to keep playing on a sports team we had to keep our grades up.. etc. I see more and more from people that they believe, in order to love someone, in order to be loved, they must learn to love themselves first. It's a good philosophy, no doubt. I think we're working on the wrong thing. Work on ourselves, that's great, but what needs to be worked on is how we love, what love is to us, what love is, and what love should look like. We can love someone like we love ourselves, but we can't expect that person to love you like that. Because they might love themselves differently. Love is a big, great thing but it's very simple. It's very general. It's not as intricate as we might feel or know how it might be. Let me lay it down... 

"Love is, patient, love is kind, It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

If we can know this, if we can practise it, we'll be just fine. Because no matter what state you are in, love will overcome that. We don't need to perfect ourselves to love or to be loved. Because whomever you choose to love and whomever chooses to love you will embrace your flaws, your imperfections, your failures, your weaknesses, your doubts... take you for what you are. Because that's who you are. That's why we say "I love YOU". - God is Love

More Notes "Everyone has a story"

I believe there is a difference between a Love Story, and a Story, about Love. Love stories are, romantic. They are about, love itself and it's relationship with people. A story about love, may not even be romantic. Not even a story of people, loving people. It may be a search for love. An inability to love. Could be an obsession, or substitution for it. An unwillingness to it. Even a strange addiction. A love story, is a, timeless classic. A story that will be told, taught, learned, and repeated through history. A story about love, will stop time. And changed everything you know about it. There will be nothing of it's kind. The biggest difference is.. not everyone will have a love story. But everyone will have a story about love. - God is Love 

Notes 18 "Story Love"

I believe there's a difference between love stories, and stories about love.. to be continued - God is Love

Notes 17 "WOAH"

Two things happened to me the past two days that have made me extremely happy.. 

1. One of my favourite photographer/person in Vncvr asked me if my girlfriend and I could participate in one of her long running photography series, the "Switcheroo". I've been following her work since I picked up a camera, I might even say her photographs is one reason that actually inspired me to pick it up. 

2. My FAVOURITE brand of footwear featured my photograph on their blog site! - God is Love

Notes 16

Never seek recognition. Act because what you do is what you love and what is right. I get to points with myself where I question whether I'm not working hard enough, or if my work just sucks, and why other people are more recognized than I am. 

Just before this post I tweeted "Scottie Pippen". And shortly after a friend of mine replied "Shoot bro... One of the best #legend". I could expand on that, but the point is, whatever you do.. whether it's your 9-5 job, school, career, blog, dance, whatever it is.. Do it because you love to do it, life isn't a popularity contest. Work, study, write, blog, dance for the love, and for you.. and if you're busting your ass and working hard at what you do, People will see that. People will see you in your work. And they'll respect that. Respect is far greater than recognition. Better recognize that. - God is Love

Notes 15 "Right or Wrong"

Who, what, when, where, why. Something I've had trouble doing in my life is asking questions. I don't know why. People always say there are no stupid questions. That is what I don't think I have trouble with. I think what I have trouble with is, the saying "There are no wrong answers". But when I ask a question, there's always a right or wrong answer. Maybe I'm afraid the answer I get, isn't right, or wrong? So when I get asked questions, will my answers be right? or wrong? I guess, it's not about the the answer itself. I guess it's what we do with that answer, that determines the facts- God is Love

Notes 14 "4 minute blog"

A while back I had my "Pet's, Socks & Rice" blog. A writing exercise where I list 3 things that I'm most enjoying and write about them. Today my exercise is simple. It's 4 minutes until this coffee shop closes so I'm going to write, in random order everything I am thinking about, in hopes that I can take one of these thoughts and write a blog about that on my next post. Starting, now. 

Money really stresses me out, I really don't want it. But I need it. Work stresses me out, I really want to work, but I wish I worked where I wanted to. Nobody cares about authenticity anymore. My friends = ?. I feel like I'm starting over again. I want to move out of my house. The best way for me to learn is to just go out there and do it. My manager at my work is moving to London to be with her boyfriend. Going across the earth for this dude, with no job lined up, just going out there and doing it. And I think that's really friggin awesome. I think more people should stop thinking and worrying about stuff, and budgeting their lives so much and just go out and do it. I think more people should think about WHY they're doing what they're doing. Or WHY they want to do what they want to do. I feel like people want to make changes, people think that if the world was a certain way, everyone would be happier. But I think most people in this world are happy. And as humans we're willing to adapt, to live and become happy with what they have. Anyone can change the world, but change the world for who? Alright, well, that's 4 minutes. - God is Love

Notes 13 "I'll see you at the crossroads"

For me, the best way to learn something, is to face it head on. I'll never know what something is like, unless it hits me in the face. Or the other way around. It seems like our lives actually find more direction, when given more than one way to go. People always ask the question, Where do you see yourself in X amount of years? I've always had a definite answer for it. As much work as I've done to help me get there, I don't think I've ever felt like I was really really getting there, up until today. No more settling. It's a brand new feel. - God is Love  

Notes 12 "Thug Life"

Being a Thug is defined BUT mistaken as a person who is a criminal, violent, disruptive and a dead end civilization in society. 

Thug Life. Thug life is the opposite of having everything you need to be successful. Thug Life is becoming successful without having anything at all. From dead broke, to stinkin' rich. Bottom, to Top. The Thug in a person is their pride. When you have nothing at all, not a dollar to your name, ratty clothes, jobless. The thug in you, the pride in you is going to hold your chin up high and spark something in you to better yourself. It's optimism. It's positivity. It's confidence. Thug Life. - God is Love 

Notes 11 "Simple Life"

"There's an app for that", "I got this new app. How many times do you hear that or anything similar to that these days. I'm guilty of saying these things, I own a macbook, an iPad and an iPhone. I'm always got my face on the screen scrolling through the App store. As much as I follow the growth of technology and buy all the new gadgets I prefer to live, simply. The word "simple" has been redefined from being "plain", now presently defined as.. "easy". Simple living was just having bare essentials. Now it's about having the essential apps. The world is saying that writing and mailing a letter is too long, too SLOW. Even emailing isn't as relevant as it was 10 years ago. 

I'm worried that though future generations are getting smarter, they might just be getting lazier. Because not everything is at the click of a button. There is no app for doing your chores. And real friendships don't happen through computer screens and social networking sites. Life is simple, if you're just thankful to simply live. - God is Love 

Notes 10 "No going back"

It's a bittersweet feeling when you leave a part of your life behind and come back to it and find it out it's still the same. More bitter than sweet actually. Because as much as it's sweet to go back, I know I can't stay, because if they don't grow, then neither will I. And what's life without growth? - God is Love