Some people have asked me about the meaning of my pen name, life-in-thorns. First of all, it's not a religious analogy.

It's my belief that pain is the only permanent thing in the world. This is represented by thorns. The rose among that thorns is life, which although temporary is something beautiful and precious.

Many people believe that only the thorns are there. I used to be one of them. I chose the name at that point in time because I was feeling really cynical and unsure. I still am in a way....but I have more perspective on it now.

But now I realize that just because the world is f***d up doesn't mean it has to drag me down to those hellish depths as well.

People can rise above the mire of existence simply by living their lives with integrity and treating others with kindness instead of disregarding them.

And whatever does happen, we can't forget there is a rose amongst the thorns, and that life is not all pain.