LSD

When you taste the thrill in living with no limitations, fear is hard to find. Not many can say they unlocked their mind, and seen things people can only dream about. I have a friend known as J.T. who decided to take LSD, and found himself on a personal journey. While under the influence of this drug he was exposed to an enhancement of senses, feelings, and super natural experiences, that he described as amazing and unforgettable. This was J.T.’s third and last time tripping; Searching to understand life on another level, J.T. used LSD to become more in tune with himself.

Once my high kicked in the world was instantly hypnotic. I sat by the pool to meditate, and stared at the water while my eyes tapped into paradise. The wind was no longer invisible; I saw it chasing behind the leaves, as they blew in front of me. This planet is so amazing; every color in sight was vibrant, glowing, and sparkling. I was locked into my surroundings as I sat comfortably next to the pool. My attention was back on the water. Stuck in a trance I stared at the water, and got lost in its movement. Art palettes started appearing right before my eyes. Creating and blending colors right in front of me. After an hour sitting by the pool, I got up and went back inside to meditate.

My roommate came home, and a burst of laughter hit me. Life is so humorous, I was now in the giggle stage of my high, and nothing enlightened this moment more than releasing endorphins. Life is good, this world has intensified, and I could feel everything around me. The air hitting my face felt like a slice of heaven, while we drove with the windows down to Chipotle with my roommates. Life is so small compared to everything else in this universe. Everything about life was beginning to make sense, I never realize how meaningless my issues are compared to how large this universe is. Care-free felt like an understatement; I never felt more alive. I didn’t even touch my food once we got back home, I gravitated towards the more vibrant colored foods like candy, fruit and Gatorade for the rest of the day. Nothing was more intriguing then all these glowing edible pieces.

During the self-reflecting stage of my high, I started looking inside myself, pulling out questions to better understand who I am. There is nothing more liberating than to search inside yourself, and find a better understanding of who you are. It opened up my mind into a realm that not many would understand. I knew it was time to meditate, and place myself in a space of solitude. I felt a breeze of fresh air when I entered my room; It was already perfectly set up with soothing sounds, for positive energy and peace of mind. I sat myself on the floor, while the sounds of the ocean played in the background, falling in-tune with my breathing pattern. I closed my eyes, and shortly after something incredible happened. I felt my mind unfold, and open up to an energy that was irresistible. I felt my body radiate a vivid colorful glow. As I looked down at my body, I saw my chest, torso, and lower abdomen each glowing a different color. It was my spiritual energy radiating right before my eyes. This moment was breathtaking. My chakras were aligned, and without a doubt I tapped into my third eye. I closed my eyes and I was instantly taken on a trip of unbelievable explanation. I felt myself exit my body, as I watched myself sit in calmness. I went downstairs, and seen my roommate cooking in the kitchen as I made my way out the door. Before my foot could touch the ground, I was suddenly floating.

Gravity no longer existed, and before I knew I found myself in outer space. The stars and planets were all around me, as a white light started to slowly appear above me. As the light grew brighter, I heard a deep voice say "come up here!" and like the speed of light my body shot straight up into what I believe was Heaven. Tall luminous white walls and buildings were right in arms reach, while I walked forward on white glowing marble floors! Confusion struck me as I heard a knocking noise that kept repeatedly getting louder. I was so mesmerized at what was in front of me, I didn't even hear it at first. The noise started to sound like a tapping noise and my eyes suddenly opened as I took what felt like my first breath of air again. My roommates were hovering over me tapping my foot repeatedly, trying to wake me up; I must have drifted off to sleep for at least an hour.

Without hesitation I blurted out to my roommates what I just saw! I started to explain my outer body experience, and their jaws unanimously dropped when I told both of them the meal, I saw them cooking in the kitchen, on my way to outer space. I was happy and felt at peace with myself. We got together down stairs, and started a group painting session. This shortly kept my attention because all I kept thinking about was my trip to heaven! I was ready to go back in my room and meditate again. I walked back upstairs and laid on my bed for a second, and stared at the ceiling, I saw the patterns on the wall start to move around and merge into each other, which still confirmed my high had not worn off yet. I took two tabs around 10 hours ago, and I was ready to end my night with success. I sat down and meditated for another hour and finally went to bed.

I woke up the next day feeling rejuvenated; My high was gone but my mind and body felt enjoyably refreshed, and every worry I once had now made sense. My attitude felt recharged and I understood so many things about myself. I was ready to spread love, and continue to learn with no excuses. This drug opened my mind and brought me in-tune with everything available to me, once I found peace. My Crown Chakra gave me an experience very few people have been able to plug into. After my last trip, everything that has entered my space has only been filled with positive energy and inspiration. Living is a journey that we can create. How we feel, and what we think about daily is what we will attract, and that is why I'll never fail.

This is one of the many very amusing stories J.T has shared with me. His positive energy, boundless lifestyle, and sense of urgency to be better than yesterday, represents freedom at its best. His choice to take LSD served a purpose he was looking for. He was looking to open his mind on a higher level, and found confirmation in his beliefs. His risk-taking lifestyle will always create new memories for him to share good and influential moments from his past and present experience.

GRAPEFRUIT

He was everything I needed in that very instant to consider myself being saved. He swept me off my feet by simply being himself. He nurtured me at every given moment, and supported me through every moment my spirit needed a lift. The only problem was me; I was still damaged. I was insecure, and I let my pain from the last man fill me with poison, and somehow, I became the toxic one for him. I became the bitter sweet taste of grapefruit on a Sunday morning. As ashamed as I was, and as much as I tried to fix it, I suddenly became a monster that might lose the best thing that's ever happened to me, because I was damaged and insecure. I let my fear of the same hurt happening twice consume my thoughts and just like that, I started committing love crimes.  I was terrified of losing him, but always finding the best opportunity to push him away. I was and needed to be healed. Only I could do such. Only I could be ready to make that change. So, I decided to I needed to heal before I lost him forever; I needed to teach myself how to trust again. This journey wasn’t going to be easy but I knew I had to try.

THE CHASE

We got so lost in chasing our dreams, we forgot about the shadows chasing after us. What an indescribable taste when your past collides with your present. Mistakes, regret, and disappointment lived in every breath I took searching for a solution. Lost in the moment, what we thought was our escape was only temporary. We could no longer keep running. They found our destination and wanted what they came for. Facing our demons was the only option to continue our race to victory. It was time to run toward our future without the shadows chasing after us.

GYPSY CHRONICLES: SHE

She was addicted to the sweet taste of love with a splash of thrill. A true hopeless romantic that saw the good in worst kind of people. If you knew how to intrigue her, or teach her something, she was sold into long term amusement which created attachments, you could never imagine. Obsessions that sound like fantasies instead of reality. She was rebellious, she did not conform and most importantly absolutely irresistible! Easy on the eyes, and a desirable energy that put more lust in the air then a night club. She was the temptation in the back of every mind of all the married men in the room. The most faithful man never thought about slipping that ring off until she walked in, and silently announced her presence with a smile. She was everyone’s dream girl. You know, gentle but feisty, drop dead gorgeous, with a free spirit, and enough intellect to blow your mind into outer space. She was the it girl and never even knew it. She only had eyes for the man that was only capable of loving himself. The worst type you could fall for, but she found a piece of good in him that nobody else ever saw. He was always up to no good. He was constantly in and out of town, running around with a sinister looking group of men, that were always the topic of discussion. Of course they were only rumors, but rumor has it him and his group of friends were robbing banks all over the Midwest, and coming right back home to lay low until their next heist. He came home to the most beautiful woman in our town every couple of weeks, and they were inseparable. If you saw her, he was somewhere close by if they already weren’t side by side. Nobody really understood them together, but our town loved her so he got a pass. This time when he came back it was different. He looked anxious, nervous and in a hurry this time around. Maybe those rumors were true after all. It was like watching the sunset disappear right before your eyes. That’s how quick he came back into town to grab his things and leave for good. Can’t say we were sad to see him leave, but It was a rainy day in our small hometown when she left with him. We were sad to see her go, but she was far too great to stay here and entertain us locals with her presence. It was another adventure in her eyes. The sweet taste of love and a splash of thrill was written all over those open roads, that she sped through alongside Mr. No-Good. She was ready to expand her energy where ever the wind blew her, and just like that she was gone with the wind.

GYPSY CHRONICLES: LIBERTY

We rode for hours in his 1967 red convertible and it felt like time didn’t move one second. We enjoyed every moment surrounding us, with love and laughter. The wind blew through our hair, as the radio played our favorite songs, while we drove into the sunset high off mushrooms. We drifted away into the night sky as we let our adventure take the wheel. I was his soft spot and he was mine. We both loved and embraced the fun we could make out of it. I loved taking risks, doing new things, dancing when everyone else was standing still. You could see the rush of excitement I had in every smile, and could hear the thrill in every laugh that burst out of my soul ready for more! He loved that about me; it went well with my tall slim frame, sun-kissed skin, honey brown eyes and golden loose curls. We sang until the stars became our audience and we finally pulled over. We let the stars watch us make love until we fell asleep. We put our adventure on hold for the night until the sun welcomed us to a new day.

It was 1998 when we left my hometown and never looked back. Mason never explained to me what happen or why he had to leave, and I never asked him too. I was ready to go where the wind blew me, living with no restrictions or labels of living an American dream, because that was never my thing. I just wanted to breathe the open air, and make a memorable moment where ever my feet decided to wander. Young wild and free, that’s why everyone called me Liberty.

GYPSY CHRONICLES: MASON

You only get one shot, to live a life being whoever you choose to be; why not live it being the best! I chose the top, because I rather call the shots, then be the one who has to report to the man calling the shots. We were the best to ever do it, and I was the brains behind every move. I put the battery in every man’s back in my circle, which put them at a position of power. We made money and most importantly we stayed out of the way. I was never familiar with distraction until I met Liberty. She was the only one who looked me in the eye with no fear. She is amazing. One good look at her and you know she’s special.

 When I asked her to leave town with me, I could tell by the smile on her face she thought I’d never ask. She didn’t care what anyone thought, and the best part of it all was she never asked questions. I play the hand I’m dealt, and then I play again with finesse. I always learn, I never lose. Some people think I’m on the run, I laugh at rumors. Yeah, I’m on the run, but not because I’m running away; I don’t get chased, I chase after what I want, and I take it. When I said I was the best to ever do it that wasn’t a figure of speech. If I can think it, I can have it, and I get everything I chase after. This time I’ll have everything with Liberty right by my side. I taught myself a long time ago I could live in my dreams, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. My dreams are my reality!

GYPSY CHRONICLES: BENJI

I told him not to bring that girl. Mason was smart, but he had a soft spot for Liberty, shit I think everyone did. She was the kind of woman that had it all, they were the perfect team, both authentic, both risk takers; they made perfect sense. Love will have you making the wrong decisions, because you find yourself in a phase of compromise. I think the best decision was for him to send for Liberty, after we finished the job, but nobody can tell him nothing once his mind is made up.  Liberty never seen the side Mason that we knew, and I didn’t know if she was ready to be exposed to a world like this! There’s a lot of good woman out there, that aren’t ready to put their emotions to the side and handle business! He had faith that Liberty lived for spontaneous moments enough to accept all of us for who we were, and become a part of the family. That alone is a big risk to take; I wasn’t ready to let anyone else in, because I wanted us to keep a low profile. You just never really know who you can trust, and that comes with the territory.

 We arrived at the best hotel in New York City right on time. If it’s one thing about me, I stay on schedule and I make sure everybody keeps their head in the game. I don’t skip a beat, I think, I plan, I execute. Mason has been a brother to me since we were kids; we grew up together, struggled together and started our first business together. There was no Benji, without Mason I kept everything in line. We checked in to the hotel, and went straight up to the top floor where we belonged. It was a penthouse or no house, we did everything in style, and we lived like the Kings we were. The guys and I settled in and went straight to the drawing board. Mason would be here in a couple days; He decided to go back for Liberty, so while he took a couple days to live out his fantasies with her, I started getting everything in order.

 I scheduled dinner reservations for all of us at the best restaurant in the city, so we can all sit down and talk to Liberty about who we really are. I didn’t want her to be here because I cared about her, but if she was going to be a part of the family, we had to do it the right way, with great food, and the best champagne on the menu! I was nervous she was going to be so furious we kept so much from her for so long, that she would walk out on us during dinner. I had to remind myself if Mason believed in her, then I was willing to take the risk. If all goes well, we’ll all be making a toast to our new lives together tonight, so I prepared a speech and wished for the best!

GYPSY CHRONICLES: SALMA

I stared in the mirror in disbelief as I combed through my perfectly long sleek black hair, that was evenly parted right down the middle. Two days passed, and I haven't received a call, or any word that she was okay. No matter what I did I couldn't help but wonder if she was safe. I was worried about her; I didn't trust Mason and his group of friends. My concern grew deeper, and deeper every hour I never received a call from Liberty. This was just like her, only thinking of herself and having fun; she never took life seriously! It was always me talking sense back into her, and keeping her on track but now this?

Elizabeth was my best friend since we were 5 years old. We grew up on the same street, shared the same barbie dolls, and we were in the same classes every single year. We were opposites but always inseparable. She stuck up for me whenever the other kids tried to make fun of me. and call me "Salami Salma". She loved me for me, and wasn't afraid to show it. I never gave up on Elizabeth because she never gave up on me, but it was hard to accept some of the erratic choices she was always making! She loved being spontaneous; she picked up the nick name Liberty, after years of  being calling Lib, which is short for Elizabeth. After one too many rebellious moments in middle school she was renamed Liberty, and she loved every single moment of her new name. She introduced herself as Liberty ever since. I always thought Elizabeth was a beautiful name, but the name Liberty matched her personality down to her wardrobe.

We were best friends but we couldn't be more different in personality. I loved living safe and living organized. Some think I'm boring, but there is nothing wrong with being safe. I just rather live with more structure. I knew everything I wanted for my life after high school. My five-year plan was set and ready for execution. While Liberty on the other hand was going to parties at random hours of the day and getting high. She had no respect for her future. All she did was worry about the present moment and let tomorrow figure itself out. I supported every random decision Liberty made, even making that crazy guy Mason her boyfriend. I knew him coming into the picture was going to get messy, and now she's God knows where with some man that everyone thinks is a killer, and she’s happy about it.

There were butterflies at the bottom of my stomach every time I tried to call her, and then a punch to the heart every time she didn't pick up. There was only one way to solve this possible disaster I let her make. I had to go after her. I marched in my neatly kept bedroom and I grabbed a small duffel bag and started packing. I didn't know how I was going to find her, but I knew it wouldn't be hard. Lib always left an impression no matter where she went, so if anyone saw her, I knew they would never forget her. I put some casual clothes on and hopped in my 1996 blue ford focus, ready to find my impulsive best friend. She was making a huge mistake, and I am the only one that can save her. Don't worry Elizabeth I'm coming for you!