I think kissing is fabulous—my first run in with the kissing bug dates back to when I was in my mid-teens. I began dating a young man whom I'd consider a "seasoned kisser"—it was evident he had practice in this area (or perhaps it only seemed that way to me because he was my first mouth to mouth experience); he had the look, the touch and the hygiene. The look he gave before going in for the kill wasn't frightening—but he made his intention clear. Also, his lips were soft and pleasant because he was well moisturized—believe me there is nothing worse than knowing you are kissing flaky, dead pieces of what used to be someone's lips! His teeth were well manicured, minty- fresh and his tongue was painted a fresh pink verses the stale, often smelly, green color. These previously mentioned ideas are responsibilities every person should exercise daily before their tonsils shake hands and their tongues play patty cake.
      

Executing the correct signals within "the look" is crucial to the beginning of the kiss. If misconstrued, major embarrassment and chastisement is likely to occur.  To improve the situation, eye contact is a must—the sincerity and intensity of the stare indicates when the two will kiss and where the kiss will be planted.

Also bear in mind, one must know how to "touch well". When two lips join together, it is very much a first impression. If one's lips are cracked and feel like a battlefield in the desert then expect never to be kissed again or worse, a pack of cherry flavored Chapstick given to you on your next date. Fortunately, there are daily treatments for lips in distress. First, carry Chapstick or some form of lip balm with you everywhere you go. Whether it's in your car or hidden away in the depths of your purse, it's a comfort to know that if your lips begin to resemble those of a corpse, help is not too far away. Also, try to smear a thin layer of Vaseline across your lips before going to bed and upon waking.  When that special someone feels your satin-pillow-like lips they automatically feel comfortable and free to indulge in the rest of your mouth.

Last but not least, the hygiene of the mouth. I believe if you love someone it should not matter if their bad breath is chronic. However, I also believe if you love someone, you do not subject them to the stench of one's breath. Keep in mind, the person who wrote, "Love is patient, love is kind..." never included "love is smelly". It has been my experience that the mintie-fresh costumers are the best. It's an exchange of emotion— of course. On the other hand, one also exchanges their history of meals past. Let's pretend it's Saturday afternoon and you go out with the ladies for lunch to the Olive Garden. At this point, you must decide whether you are more excited about the plate of garlic you are going to order or scaring off a potential mate due to a bad case of the garlic monster. Choose carefully. Perhaps you could sit this one out or suggest to eat some place where the food will not threaten other areas of your social life? On a similar note, men must keep in mind that while brushing your teeth doesn't seem like a big deal, it is when gingivitis and her millions of little children are growing on your smile and waving at your date. It does not feel nice and it certainly does not smell nice after a few hours in that caldron you call your mouth.

Bottom line: brush everything and choose your meals wisely...it'll win you a few more dates and a lot more kisses.
        Kissing IS fabulous—when you kiss responsibly. If you choose to follow these simple procedures you may secure more than one kiss per date! On the other hand, ignoring this free advice may leave you stranded in Singlesville or attending prom with gingivitis as your date.  So keep the look, the touch and the hygiene up to par and you'll be one swinging kissing machine.

I don't know how I got here, and I don't know where I'm going. I just know that I am.

I have recently come to understand just how much the past is like a prison, a solitary cell looking out through bars onto a neverending hallway towards the future - with the key sitting right in front of you. An infinite future. Anything is possible. All I have to do is unlock the door and start walking, one step at a time.

Yet too often I find myself projecting my past onto that future. Instead of unlocking that door and allowing the unlimited potential of the future to unfold, I sit there and imagine what the future would look like were I not locked in this cell. I build myself into a beautiful ivory tower in the sky, atop which I lock myself in a remarkably similar cell - only it looks nicer, the bed is a little bit more comfortable and the food a bit more palitable. The only real difference is that the key is always sitting just beyond reach, just a little further on down the hallway.

But the past does not have to be a prison, I have the key in front of me, I can choose to interpret my past in any way I choose to leaving it behind as I walk forward, one step at a time towards the future. It is up to me to embrace it and not lock myself into what I think should be.

I've come to realize that there is only one real way to do this. To pick up the key, unlock the door and take one step at a time, living in the present and seeing everything for what it really is. The present, ironically is the only state in which we can do nothing, and yet paradoxically the only state in which we are truly free.It is the purist state of all. The present just is, and I am starting to realize that the acceptance of what 'just is' is the key to true joy and happiness. True happiness cannot be found in the past, nor the future, it only lies in the present, in utter love and acceptance of what is, without question and without judgment.