one day

one day martin luther king had a dream. since the time of his death, his dream looks pretty accomplished (compared to what he saw in his lifetime). of course, there is still problems to overcome, but the dream he had came to be this day. one man had one dream and moved the world with that vision. he was a great man and great speaker. does that mean our dreams can't be accomplished? does that mean we can't have visions of a better world? of course not. we have a responsibility to dream and have visions. we have a much stronger responsibility to put actions to making this world a better place. it may not be about marching the streets of washington, dc. it may not be about becoming the president of the united states. it just may mean saying something positive to a kid on the street in your neighborhood. maybe being positive for a co-worker. giving money to help the hungry. volunteering where there is a need. be in prayer. being involved in your local church. everybody should have a "one day" dream or vision. it motivates individually and corporately as a whole. dream big. reach for the stars. be a light.who knows....maybe your one day will be today.

FINAL THOUGHT:dreaming doesn't cost alot of money and doesn't take up alot of time. making the dream come true could do both. but what are your dreams worth? make the time. spend what you can. if nothing else...let your heart take the journey it needs to take to see that day happen.

QUESTION:what can you dream today for tomorrow?

something wrong with me?

i work with adults who suffer with a serious mental illness. we watch tv and see movies that portray alot of people with these illness and they are made to look "out of control" and dangerous. some do live lives out of control with they are not taking their meds or they have been undiagnosed. some have done acts that are considered bizarre or committed some awful crimes. but they represent the few....not the many. there are alot of people who work, raise families, and are productive citizens that you would never guess had a serious illness. there are a ton of famous people who had some serious challenges mentally, but maintain stability enough to do what they were known for (like abraham lincoln). you can google statistics and get a major list of these famous people, but it doesn't matter. they exist-famous or not. they are valued and need acceptance like we all do. sometimes i think we all walk a fine line of insanity. i believe God keeps me from crossing that line all the time. to stay mentally sharp, talk to people you trust about the things you feel are challenging. be creative to express your emotions-release tension. allow God to draw close to you and you to Him. and try to get to know someone who has some mental challenges by volunteering at a shelter or clinic. it's a very rewarding experience and you just may have your eyes opened to see how "crazy" we all are to some degree.

FINAL THOUGHT:we are all mentally challenged. we all get to experience being a little "crazy" by our own definition. maybe we don't do anything illegal or bizarre that society would pin on us...but we may relate to the mentally ill more than we may know. simply because they are human like we are. and that puts us all on the same playing field.

QUESTION: what drives you crazy or makes you feel like you're going to "lose it"?

breathe

BREATHE

IF YOU LISTEN VERY CLOSELY
YOU CAN HEAR THE ANGELS BREATHING
BREATHING IN THE SLOW-MOVING OF THE WIND

LIFE IS BUT A WHISPER
ONLY SECONDS QUICKLY PASSING
ONLY WHISPERS MOVING SLOWLY ON OUR SKIN

AIR-IT HEALS THE BODY
AND IT KISSES TOPS OF MOUNTAINS
AND THE AIR IS HONEY TO OUR FRAGILE LUNGS

IT WILL DANCE WITH OUR CHILDREN
AND IT SINGS WITH BIRDS AND FOUNTAINS
FOR THE EARTH WILL BREATHE THE AIR AND SING ITS SONGS

FOR THE AIR-IT KEEPS US LIVING
AND IT KEEPS US HERE AND FOCUSED
AND EACH BREATH WE TAKE BECOMES A BORROWED GIFT

FOR IN THIS WE FEEL CONNECTED
FROM THE ANIMALS TO LOCUST
ALL OF US CAN SHARE THIS VERY SPIRITUAL LIFT

SHARE THE AIR THAT YOU ARE BREATHING
SHARE IT GLADLY TO ALL OTHERS
SHARE IT WITH THE BREATHING OF THE MOON AND SUN

CELEBRATE THESE BREATHING MOMENTS
WITH YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR LOVERS
THEN OUR BREATH AND AIR WILL BIND AND BOND AS ONE

LET YOUR BREATHING FLOW OUT FREELY
LET THE FREEDOM MOVE WITHIN YOU
LIKE THE FREEDOM OUT WITHIN YOUR INNER YOUTH

IT IS WHAT WE ALL HAVE NEEDED
IT’S A NECESSARY VENUE
TO REMIND US HOW TO BREATHE IN LOVE AND TRUTH

IN AND OUT IT MOVES WITHIN US
FOR THE AIR-IT TRAVELS THROUGH US
EVERY BREATH THAT STAYS-ANOTHER BREATH WILL LEAVE

WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A JOURNEY
JUST TWO ROADS THAT’S GIVEN TO US
ONE WILL TAKE OUR BREATH-THE OTHER MAKES US BREATHE

WHEN THE AIR BECOMES POLLUTED
AND THE SKIES ARE BROWN AND DIRTY
THEN THE AIR WE BREATHE BECOMES A LIVING DEATH

FOR THE RAINBOW AND THE EAGLE
WILL BECOME VICTIMS-UNWORTHY
THEN THE SADNESS OF IT ALL-TAKES OUR BREATH

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE IT
HERE ON EARTH WITH ALL ITS WONDERS
LIKE THE SKIES THAT GREET THE BREAKING OF THE DAWN

LIKE THE MAGIC OF THE RAINFALLS
OR THE LIGHTENING AND THE THUNDER
IT WILL ALL BE LOST THE DAY THAT AIR IS GONE

SO THEN CLOSE YOUR EYES IN SILENCE
AND JUST LISTEN TO YOUR BREATHING
LET THE AIR BECOME YOUR EARTH AND YOU ITS SEED

THEN JUST MAYBE ALL THE CHILDREN
CAN GROW UP SOMEHOW BELIEVING
EARTH WILL ALWAYS BE THEIR HOME WHERE THEY CAN BREATHE

GREGORY BOYER
06/03/08

FINAL THOUGHT:taking care of the earth is not a political stance every person needs to take. it's a responsibility we all need to be aware of re:our own actions that causes more harm to this planet. it helps to drive less and walk more. it helps to conserve energy and recycle. it helps to continue to educate on the dangers of smoking. it helps to remember the days when "smog" was only found in big cities. it helps to know that God gave and gives "breath" and it's a gift to cherish.fall in love with the air we breathe.

QUESTION:when was the last time you took and deep breath and took notice of it or noticed the breathing of someone you loved while they were sleeping?

hummingbirds

facts about hummingbirds:

Hummingbirds are part of the Trochilidae family found only in the Americas. They are unknown in the Eastern Hemisphere.

The most astonishing quality of hummingbirds is their ability to broadcast color. Hummingbirds radiate like hot coals in the sun. The color that reaches your eye is created by pigment, which absorbs some colors and rejects others. Like soap bubbles, hummingbird's color comes from iridescence, not pigment. It winks on and off, depending on the light source and the angle of the viewer. This allows hummingbirds to flash colors or hide them which is useful for males who want to impress females or threaten other males.

Hummingbirds are built for power and dazzle, hummingbirds are little more than flight muscles covered with feathers. 30% of a hummingbird's weight consists of flight muscles.

Hummingbirds require lots of energy. They have the fastest wing beats of any bird and their hearts beat up to 1,260 beats per minute.
A Hummingbird's flight speed can average 25-30 mph, and can dive up to 60 mph.

They will pull insects out of spiderwebs including the spider itself. Sapsucker holes are a double treat, netting both insects and sap!

A hummingbird can rotate each of its wings in a circle, allowing them to be the only bird which can fly forwards, backwards, up, down, sideways or sit in sheer space. To hover, hummingbirds move their wings forward and backward in a repeated figure eight, much like the arms of a swimmer treading water. Hummingbirds can move instantaneously in any direction, start from its perch at full speed, and doesn't necessarily slow up to land. Hummingbirds can even fly short distances upside down, a trick rollover they employ when being attacked by another bird.

Hummingbirds do not mate for life - the female raises the young on her own. The male hummingbird is not involved with raising the young. The female does all the work of raising her young alone! Females will lay a clutch of only two white eggs and will produce only one brood per season. The hatchlings will remain in the nest for three weeks.
Hummingbirds can live a decade or more in the wild.

FINAL THOUGHT: i am the same person i was before reading this. the world hasn't stop turning and there is still bad things happening as we speak. at the same time: life is wonderful. when i allow myself to look at things deeper than i have before-life isn't as dark as it seems. this world isn't just the bad things we see on the news. if i can appreciate something as small as a hummingbird and learn how amazing such a small thing can be.....then i can find beauty in myself and in others too.

QUESTION: what can you see in yourself or someone else that you find amazing. something that maybe no one really notices, but you appreciate and love (when looking closer at it and learning more about it)?

shackles

shackels: a metal fastening, usually one of a pair, for encircling and confining the ankle or wrist of a prisoner or captive; a fetter or manacle.
another definition is: to restrain in freedom of expression or action.
What an awesome experience to praise God through any circumstance (no matter how bad it has gotten or is getting)and to keep in mind how good and in control He is no matter what difficulty is there. can freedom of praise be expressed in the "worse-case-scenarios"? the answer for me would be a loud YES! but have i been able to praise God, be thankful for the circumstances, dance when my circumstance looks like there's no reason to celebrate, laugh when i felt i should be crying, loved myself when i felt i didn't deserve it, or look at those around me and see God at work when i wanted to focus on my problems? and that answer would be YES! i have fallen to common-normal feelings of defeat, frustration, sadness, and anger in bad situations. but God has, at times, remove the "shackles" from those typical ways to respond in bad situations and have allowed me to sing and dance as if no such bad situation had existed. only God could do that. only God could create such a celebrated experience in me when all appeared dark and gloomy. i have had those times and have remembered those times enough to help me when new situations arose. to be honest....laughing and dancing is not my first reaction at the time "it" happens. but i'm not the type to live in the moment of "poor pitiful me" for too long. that's when God removes the "shackles" that bind me to sadness or defeat and i am able to sing and dance through my circumstance. God is good not only when good things happen. God is good ALL the time-no matter what happens. easy said than expressed? the answer would be YES. but can it be done? and the answer would be a loud YES!

FINAL THOUGHT:it's funny how God continues to be God no matter what. He never changes despite our circumstances or our emotions. but then again, because of who we are....HE is who He is: awesome,powerful, loving, forgiving, accepting, and full of blessings. our shackles doesn't bind God to be less than God. our shackles binds us to our weaknesses as humans. but it also gives us an opportunity to see God....be God!

QUESTION:when was the last time you got to expereince "God being God" in your toughest circumstances and you were truly able to be thankful and at peace in the midst of a bad situation?

FINDING ME

I WENT TO THE MOUNTAINS TO TRY TO FIND ME
TO KNOW WHO I WAS OR WHO I COULD BE
I ONLY SAW TREES AND A LANDSCAPE OF FOUNTAINS
AND WALKED AWAY ONLY DISCOVERING MOUNTAINS

I WENT TO THE CITY TO TRY TO FIND ME
TO KNOW WHO I WAS OR WHAT I COULD BE
I ONLY SAW PEOPLE ALL OVER THE PLACE
I DIDN’T FIND ME OR EVEN MY FACE

I WENT TO THE GRAVEYARD TO TRY TO FIND ME
TO KNOW WHO I WAS OR WHERE I COULD BE
I ONLY SAW GRAVES THAT WERE FILLED WITH THE DEAD
SO I LEFT THE GRAVEYARD AND WENT HOME INSTEAD

I WENT TO MY MIRROR TO TRY TO FIND ME
TO KNOW WHO I WAS OR WHO I COULD SEE
THE FACE THAT I SAW WAS THE SAME FACE EACH DAY
THAT LOOKED RIGHT BACK AT ME WITH NOTHING TO SAY

BUT THIS TIME I STOOD STILL-REMOVED THE DISGUISE
I LOOKED PAST THE NEGATIVES COVERING MY EYES
AND SAW SOMETHING DEEPER AND SAW WHO I WAS
I SAW SOMEONE THAT ONLY NEEDED MY LOVE

SO, WHEN I GO SEARCHING AGAIN TO FIND ME
I KNOW THERE’S NO PLACE I COULD POSSIBLY BE
EXCEPT TO LOOK INWARD AND PASS THE DISGUISE
AND THERE I’LL BE FOUND WHEN I OPEN MY EYES

GREGORY BOYER

it's easy to forget who you are and what you're all about. it's easy to not even know who you are and how to answer that question. you can go through life thinking who you are is what you do and is based on who you love and who you are constantly around. this is where God comes into the picture. He brings "light" to our idenity. He brings truth (good or bad). and He brings love-so that we could know how to love ourselves. believe it or not....that's tough for alot of people to do. finding yourself-you only need look to God. it's a quicker search like google:-)

FINAL THOUGHT:don't be afraid to learn about who you are. as the saying goes "God don't make junk". you won't find perfection, but you will find you're not as bad as you may think. and you just may find God along the way.

QUESTION:what do you love about being who are you right now?

a road to family

A ROAD TO FAMILY

A ROAD TO FAMILY
BRINGS COLORS INTO OUR HEARTS
WHERE THERE WAS ONCE SEPIA
THE COLORS OF BUTTERFLIES
SPREADS ITS WINGS
AND NATURE SPLASHES HER HUES

SMILES BRINGS LIFE TO FAMILIES
AND FAMILIES BRINGS LIFE TO THE WORLD

A HOUSE GIVES BIRTH
WHERE A CHILD IS BORN
AND IT WILL BREATH NEW MEMORIES
INTO THE WORLD
MEMORIES TO WATCH CLOSELY
MEMORIES WE SIT AND PONDER
MEMORIES THAT KEEPS US
ON THE ROAD WE ARE ON-CALLED
FAMILY
A FAMILY FOR THE YOUNG
A FAMILY FOR THE OLD
A FAMILY FOR THE HUMOROUS
THE TEACHER
AND THE LEADER

WE WATCH THE ROAD
TAKE OUR JOURNEY
TO RIVERS OF SERENITY
DOWN TO STREAMS OF LOVE AND SANCTUARY
OUR GAMES ARE PLAYED IN HARMONY
NEVER IN SOLITUDE
BUT IN TOGETHERNESS

WE SPEAK WORDS FAMILIAR TO US
AND WATCH THEM PLAYED ON TAPE
WORDS THAT EMBRACE US
WORDS THAT BOND US TOGETHER

WORDS THAT BRINGS US CLOSER TO FAMILY
A NEW GENERATION
WITH A NEW ROAD TO TRAVEL
THAT WILL TURN THIS WORLD UPSIDE DOWN
WITH NEW MEANING AND PURPOSE
AS WE TRAVEL ON THIS ROAD
TO FAMILY

GREGORY BOYER
08/15/10

FINAL THOUGHT:the journey we take creating our family history will be a road that is different for everyone. some roads are "rocky" and some roads are full of twist and turns. some appear to be all over the place with no destination known. but the journey i take with my family is creative and fun. there are bumps and rocks that cross our path, but most of the ride is smooth and that gives me great memories of a great trip. and the road i take alone away from them...is still a road that they will journey with me because i carry who they are with me wherever i go.

QUESTION:can you recall a great memory of your family that means alot to you?

a thank you card

i read the card
and the words written
the letters form sounds
that would soothe me
stroke my hair
touch me intimately

i imagine the hand
carefully writing
fingers embracing
thoughts rushing down to the ink
that kissed the paper

i held the card to my chest
and in silence
you became the card
forever i will read

the card i am thankful for
the card safe inside my soul
the card i call my friend
the card i read is you

gregory boyer

FINAL THOUGHT: sometimes you get birthday cards that were printed from a factory and distributed into the hands of millions. though the meaning is read to many-each will take the words that was meant for them to read and find appreciation in it. but when someone who loves you and cares for you, and write their own words to your card-those words become words just for you and not the millions. that's special. i was given a birthday card from one of my best friends and the words he wrote were the words he lives. he has become the card i read. thank you my friend.

QUESTION: are you a living hallmark card to someone?

just chillin'

after leaving church, i went to the gym and had a good time listening to music while i exercised. i took a shower and headed home. i put on a cd (connie bailey's "put your records on"). the air was cool outside. the sky was a nice grey from a previous light rain. wind was blowing my dreads here and there. and i sang along with connie and felt absolutely awesome! just chillin'. taking it easy. feeling youthful. feeling fresh and alive. allowing my brain to put all plans for work that i needed to do once i got home-to be placed somewhere i didn't need to focus on it. if you saw me driving down the road while this song was playing-you saw a happy camper. you saw someone who was just content with life and experiencing the moment. i love many things and one of them is listening to a great song that soothes me while i am driving with the windows down and the breze doing its thing. i loved driving the country side of england playing songs i love. it was so freeing and earth-engaging for me. everybody has their own way of "chillin". kicking back without worrying about the worries of life (at least for a minute or two) and relaxing for a bit. some people like a little wine and candlelight. some people like a nice warm bath, soft music and some candlelight. some people like a good book to read in silence: no music or candlelight. but me-give me good music and a nice drive going anywhere and i'm full of smiles. we all need a day of "chillin". it's self-care and therapuetic to have those times. i try to create them often during the week. in between my busy life of work, school, and social activities. even my hobbies can feel like work if i'm not careful to make sure they're not. just writing about it puts a smile on my face and makes me want to go outside, hold my hands up to the sky, and be in the mode of appreciation of life. living. breathing. laughing. chillin'. i think i'll go outside and do that right now!

FINAL THOUGHT: vacations are great, but time consuming to plan, sometimes costly, and sometimes you can get no relaxtion while on vacation (but it still beats work). our brains, emotions, and mind need a break to function in a healthiest way. chillin' or whatever you would want to call it is a great way to do so. it cost very little and how you create that time needs to be special to you. take the time to chill. you deserve it.

QUESTION: how can you chill today?

ain't no mountain

sometimes i look at people and wonder how they see me. my view will not be the same as their view. my eyes will see a perspective on myself that is limited, unless i am looking in a full-view mirror. my judgements on what i can see physically, will stem from what i have experienced, my own personal desires and self-image, and what has been branded in my head since i was a kid. life is like that also. people hurt each other sometimes based on a perspective they have about a situation. they quickly jump to conclusions or allow their emotions to "fix" the problem before asking questions and responding until questions are answered. and when questions are answered quick enough-then our impatience kicks in and the perspective on the situation can be seen in a worse light. it's human nature to respond like we do. but it's spiritual to respond outside of that nature or what feels natural to do. God uses life circumstances, the bible, people, counselors, self-help books, movies, and a ton of other resources to help us to minimize problems we turn into bigger mountains to climb. when we have the mindset of there isn't a river or mountain big enough to stop me from responding to life or people in a positive light-then we learn to find all means to grow into that place to do that. life will test our sincerity and test the authenticity of our words. having a goal to strive to being the best you can be "no matter what" perspective you may have on yourself-it's worth having. the same with seeing the best in others despite your perspective on reasons why you should hate a person or judge them. such a goal will cause you to reevaluate your motives and judgements. and that just may cause you to "pause" enough to help make the situation better instead of ending in the worse case scenario. seldom will we look at ourselves and others correctly.

FINAL THOUGHT: everybody wants to think they're right in how they see things. sometimes we can only see things one way, because of the perspective we are given. our limitations makes us different from God's view of our hearts and knowing "everything". when we keep that in mind-there is a chance we will judge less, be patient more, and want to do all we can to fix the problem, instead of giving up on a great opportunity for growth and expanding our perspective

QUESTION: when do you need to try to learn to have a better perspective on a situation that's troubling?

hair

i started growing dreadlocks about 3 years ago. i had a few friends make fun of me when they looked like "small worms" dancing on my head. i liked them even shorter back then. now that they are down to my shoulders-i get quite a few compliments. even total strangers will approach me (not just younger people) and ask me how i grew them, if they could touch them, or just tell me how cool i look. they seem to like the gray that is scattered about in them. they are alot of work and i plan on having them a few more years then cut them all off (maybe). it's funny how we are somewhat fascinated with hair. it makes us "feel" something (good or bad) while hair is one of those things on our bodies that doesn't really do anything. it's not like it helps us see, hear, touch or taste better. but it definitely seems to help people "feel" better when they have it or cut it or totally remove it. it's the cause of joking when someone "loses it". what is the big deal with hair? whatever it is....i got it and i appreciate having the abilities to create styles with it. i would rather be more aware and appreciative of those things with my body that really serve a higher purpose than my looks. like" my eyes to see, my nose to smell, my fingers to touch, my ears to hear, my mind to think, my lungs to breath, my legs to walk, my mouth to talk, my mind to think, my.......etc. anyways, as vain as we all can be at times (some more than others), today i would like to focus on not what makes me look good or even feel good, but focus and be thankful for those things on my body that help me to function at all. so, that i can pay attention once in awhile on my looks (whatever looks i may have). smile.....thank you mouth:-)

FINAL THOUGHT: i have all my senses working thus far in my life. i was born with all the normal items i needed to function, play and work. i have been blessed with being called "cute, handsome, and date-able". does it really matter how i look? i'm afraid it does and that's too bad, but hopefully, i can take time out of my day and focus on what makes me "live good".

QUESTION: what are you thankful to God for re: your body?

let the sunshine in

it's raining right now and it's awesome. the smell and sound of rain is soothing to me. comforting and relaxing. that maybe experienced differently from some-like those who live in states were rain constantly falls. i live where the rain could fall and last for only 10 mins and you may not see it for another few weeks or months. so, when it rains, i enjoy the visitation. but there are those who see rain as something dark and negative. it brings sadness to some. hurtful memories. it's weird how something as natural as the rain falling can bring a romantic moment to lovers or thoughts of death to someone else. rain or shine-we have the ability to change our realities by how we want to see moments given to us. not by pretending whatever is happening isn't happening. but by rethinking how we want that difficult moment to make us feel. if rain fall brings sad memories-then it's time to create happy moments during the rainy season. if sunshine brings negative memories-then it's time to create happier activies into my life when the sun is out. the sun can come out while it's raining by letting the sun shine in your mind,heart and soul. call a friend and laugh. call a family member and talk about the good old days. draw. write a poem. dance in your room. dance with a friend. dance in the rain. celebrate what nature brings as a gift from God. you can feel the sun in heart-even while the rain is falling on your head.

FINAL THOUGHT: i like the rain and the sunshine. i have activities that are positive when both occur. i can be sad when both occur. i have smiled when both happens. they are tools that sometimes affect my mood, but the ultimate control is my decision to feel how i want to feel-despite my environment. it's ok to feel sad or any tough emotions that brings you "down". but you do have a choice in challenging those feelings when they control your moments longer than you would like them to.

QUESTION: what positive things can you be thankful for about the rain and the sun?

calling all angels

i am old enough to see that the world has always been in a bad place. in the sixties-crime appeared to be at its worse. 2010 people still kill senselessly. tradegies and castatrophies appear to be getting worse. crimes against women and children haven't gotten better (i don't think). people just get creative in their quest to harm others. people get creative in how they harm themselves-sometimes they call it "having fun". if we need help from God and angels....it is now. it amazes me how there are people that still won't acknowledge how the dark condition the world is in is more spiritual than natural. i guess at the same time-i shouldn't be surprised because at one time i had no clue of spiritual matters and my connection. but i am in a different place now. i seek God to help with the issues i see in this world. i seek God to help with my own issues of life. i seek God to use angels and whatever He chooses to sculpt this world in the a place that is better than the day before. what would happen if the world sought God to make changes in this world? what would happen if angels made themselves known by providing miracles unexplained? i believe in angels and feel i have experienced their presence. i believe this world experiences angels whether or not they believe in them. the world maybe bad-but how much worser would it be if God didn't provide angels to do what they do? i would shutter to think!

FINAL THOUGHT: the spiritual world presents itself in 2 areas: evil and good. you may call each whatever you may depending on what you believe, but it won't change the present state of this world. we should do what we can to make changes in this world. to make this place a better place to live. and it wouldn't hurt to call on the help of our "winged friends" for support. they got nothing better to do:-)

QUESTION: look to see if you notice angels around you?

let it be

i can sometimes explain my emotions and feelings into words. sometimes i cannot. i ask questions on "Soulpancake" and sometimes no answers satifies my curiousity or need "to know". sometimes i am with a close friend and they cannot always express their deepest thoughts (at least for me to understand). and silence at that point is needed. we don't always need to find the "right words" to express our yearnings to speak. sometimes i want to say more than "i love you" because as powerful as these 3 words are-i feel more than what those words can express. sometimes those words and a hug or just holding a person in a quiet place or a soothing massage or time in prayer says it all. sometimes you just need to let things be. not force what isn't coming easy to speak or do. time has its place to make things happen. people have their place to bring things to light. solitude has its place to clear the mind. people have their place to help connect the dots. God has His place to make bring all things to light.but sometimes-simply not knowing has its place it help us to let it be. there is a simple verse in the bible that says: be still and know that i am God. sometimes it's just too hard to simply be "still". it just could be the key to sometimes knowing it all.

FINAL THOUGHT: i am a man full of curiousity. i love learning. i love people and want to know everything about them. i love understanding human behavior. i want to know more and more about people (outside of textbooks and college studies). sometimes i just need to slow down and just enjoy "what is". enjoy the silence. embrace the company who will allow me to enjoy their presence and the silence. and hopefully rest in the "not knowing" all the answers.

QUESTIONS: who can you be a "silent partner" with just "let it be" with?

if you ruled the world

i don't find ruling the world possible for any human leader to be able to do without corruption being involved or destruction becoming the end result of mankind. i wouldn't want to rule the world. i wouldn't want to be ruled by anyone. control is tricky. leadership is challenging. following is choice. God has he ability to rule and control with perfection, but chooses to allow free-will to take its reign in the the hearts of men. that makes being followed more valuable than from force. ruling the world appears to have advantages, but it is only self-pleasing and presents with false humility. and i don't believe my best interest could possibly be on the mind of anyone who had the desire to rule the world. but we do have the ability to "rule and change own world". our world is effected by the worlds of others (which we cannot control). but we can allow our thoughts to adjust what we desire to make of circumstances in our world-to become what we desire for those circumstances to become. too often we buy into depression and anger in our world instead to creating inceptive thoughts to change what we think we see that makes us depressed or angry. the mind can do wonders to what rules or controls us. it can change that power into the world you choose to rule differntly.

FINAL THOUGHT: we are flawed beings with emotional and physical needs that we find hard to balance properly without selfishness. this is why i don't think anyone could "rule the world" without destruction becoming the final outcome. but to rule how we see our own world-is possible and its result is more about creating instead of deletion.

QUESTION: what do you want to change in your world?

HOW DO YOU SAY I LOVE YOU?

i am very loved. i am quite aware and know of the love my family and friends have for me. words are always good to hear. words don't always tell the whole story or express what is in the heart. ears cannot always hear what should or could be heard from those speaking to be heard. but trying to express such powerful 3 words that people have died for and long to feel and share make for a journey worth its travel. i like telling my family and friends that i love them. i will express it in actions, but sometimes fall short on how that is shown materially, emotionally, or in available time. my desire is for them to know the full extent of those feelings, but how can anyone really-truly know or even show that. but the efforts are needed.the trying is worth it. the creative ways of displaying whatever can be displayed-is necessary and valued (hopefully). God has been expressing and showing His love towards mankind since the beginning of time. some have come to understand and respond to that love. some have rejected that love. some never believed it existed. at one time:i was one of those that didn't believe. but that was then-and this is now. i have learned that when i didn't know of God's love-it didn't mean it didn't exist because of my own ignorance. when someone loves us and we feel their lack of showing us they do-doesn't mean it doesn't exist. since we are not God-our ability to show love isn't always at its best, but we do what we can do to let our love be known. love is an action word that has emotional ties. express love emotionally. express love verbally. express love literally. express love in silence. be thankful when love is expressed in any form. be creative in your own expressions of sharing love. believe and receive and give back without fear.

FINAL THOUGHT: getting love as a kid comes easy and is expected from the eyes of a child. they move into learning to give back, but sometimes it is still about "getting something" back. then that moves into the joy of just giving without receiving (sometimes). love is easy and complicated at the same time. love is alot of things, but always not quite the same for everybody (giving it or getting it). but the evolution of experiencing the giving and receiving is a blessing and joy in finding a way to say "i love you".

QUESTION: who can you tell i love you today?

YOU'VE GOT THE LOOK

i use to be a fashion designer in the early 70's in los angeles. the fashion industry was such a crazy and interesting arena. such a different kind of world than what you might expect (or maybe not). it was a big surprise to me. as much as i love the "creativity" and the "outrageous" behaviors of some people in that field-there was something sad about the business it was doing:getting people to believe that how you look was more important than who you were. it was more important to "look" like "somebody" than to be yourself. there were people like me that found fashion to be just a fun creative outlet. a bit of a costume show to look attractive, stand out, and feel good about how clothes made you look. but for some...it was more and it only help hide some major insecurities that existed. i left the field because i was just too young and passionate about the fun of fashion to be around a bunch of people who took it too serious. now that i'm older-i still love fashion and dressing up. but most of the time i'm in my jeans, shorts and t-shirt. i have my fun and have my comfortable place with clothes. i take life serious, but what i'm wearing has nothing to do with the life i'm living.

FINAL THOUGHT: i'm not knocking those who love dressing up and being fashionable. it is fun. but so many people are judged based on what they are wearing or "who they are wearing". that comment alone is crazy to even write. the best clothes to wear is who you were designed to be. you'll always wear an original.

QUESTION: what does what you're wearing right now say about you?

WHO ARE YOU?

this video is disturbing as it relates to the kind of work i do. i am a mental health professional and know clients who have personality issues. who they really are gets lost in the crowd of who they want to be or think who they believe they are. both are sad situations when a person can't enjoy the beauty they possess, so they have to create other people in themselves to cope with pain they may be trying to avoid or resist acknowledging. for those of us who like calling ourselves "normal"-i would venture to say we do the same things on a lesser scale. we actually become professional at disguising the "real us" for fear of rejection of others. sometimes, we support those we call friends to do the same-just to exist in their company and call it "having fun". there's no doubt the fun exist. but why would you not think that the fun would continue or even be better if everyone would just be who they really were? if you have been wearing a mask for so long that you may have forgotten what you are about or forgotten the real essence of who you are....then i would find a quiet place and ask God for His assistance to discover the real you. find someone you truly trust to help let you experience who you really are without judgement. and if you feel you don't have such people in your life because they only know the you with the mask...then find new friends without wearing the mask. you may find that you really do like the real you because you found people that do also. then you may get to the place where that doesn't even matter anymore. you like you for you and not for the approval of others. when that happens-you can experience the many sides of you that are real, natural,beautiful,worthy,special and gifted. if you going to be anything....be these things.

FINAL THOUGHT: i have many sides to me, but they all are naturally me because i love who i am. and i express the many sides of as they all connect to the others. each side are aware of the other and they are not seperate or are dramactically opposite. all the sides come together as one. start by loving you first and celebrating the sides that spring from that. let others feel safe to take off their mask and embrace who they really are.

QUESTION: how would you express the best part of yourself today?

IF I WERE YOU

if i were you-my life would be much better. why do we compare ourselves to others to the point where we think it's "greener on the other side of the fence" and become very critical of ourselves? we create an illusion out of what we "see" instead of desiring the essence of the situation from what we know. meaning: it's typical to think "if i were rich-life would be much easier with no bills to pay". but the rich have their own set of problems because of their wealth. they have their own sets of bills they have to maintain and must maintain to stay wealthy. though some of us may think "that's a problem i would rather have than the problems of being poor". problems are problems. anxiety is anxiety. depression is depression. depression doesn't feel better because you're wealthy. beyonce's song "if i were a boy" gives me the idea that boys or men are in a better position than women to do whatever they want in relationships-simply because they're male. that's silly. the behavior of some or most men doesn't make their behavior justified and it's not a qualification to being men. women are known to have the same behaviors. during the days of Jesus-disciples of john would compare what they were doing to the behaviors or actions that the disciples of Jesus were doing. Jesus had to explain the differences. 2 different people. 2 different situations. 2 different groups with 2 different purposes. while we are busy looking at someone else thinking their life is much better (depending on how you are living your life) someone is looking at us wishing they were like us (believe it or not). and if not....it doesn't change the fact that someone-where-someone is living a worse-case-scenario than us. appreciating who we are and where we are in life can be challenging (rich or poor). it's when you are thankful for what you have (regarding the small things and what is really important in life) is when you become rich and your yard is greener than it has ever been before.

FINAL THOUGHT: i would never want to be a girl. they don't have it easier than guys. it may appear that they are freer to share their emotions openly without being criticized, but i know women who would love to have better control over their emotions like men. it's all about having the right perspective. it's all about improving on who you are. comparing yourself to yourself. using others as a guide or visual support to reaching goals you set for yourself, but never to become "them" as the goal. be you. and be the best at that.

QUESTION: what do you love about being who you are?

THE 70'S

i loved the 60's, the 70's and the 80's. these 3 era's provided alot of fun times for me. the one thing they have in common was: i was still young and a bit more carefree regarding how i approached life. the 60's was all about my childhood experiences and just being playful. experiencing and discovering. the 70's was about thinking i knew everything, having fun, but slowly approaching being more serious about life. feeling philosophical about who i really was in this world. and who God was. I continued having great fun in the 80's-treating my "serious moments" from the 70's like it was just a phrase i was going through. but i truly loved the 70's. i loved college friends, the music of that time, the clothes, and watching soul train. now when i listen to the music: i still love it and dance to it. when i watch old youtube videos: i enjoy the memories it brings regarding the dancing that was so fun to do. but clothes? no way! what i thought looked really cool then-looks very silly and goofy now (lol). the 80's, 90's and the new millenium brought fun, but more serious times than the other generations i experienced. the best things about the 80's, 90's, and new millenium were the relationships got deeper and i had more awareness about what it meant to treasure them. now i am still having fun and still experiencing my youthfulness that dwells in me. God still plays a major role in my life because i found out who He was. and i am able to balance my
responsibilites with what life throws at me. but i love remembering the 70's because it walked me into my older years with a dance and song. i was able to welcome my new age with open arms and embrace my grey hair like a fashion statement that won't go away (and i don't want it too). i think it's great to look back at a time in your life where you "remember the good old days". it's even better to look back and "bring back" into the present the attitude you had about life when you were younger. it's geat to bring that "kid" in you out to play.

FINAL THOUGHT: the older you get, the more you are able to have more time to experience "looking back". that provides times for more fun, but also time for more pain or struggles. hopefully, you learn from "looking back" to create your present with more fun and then walk into your future with the same attitude.

QUESTION: when were the best years of your life?

IN THE DAYS OF SCHOOL YARDS

most likely most of us over 40 yrs of age can remember the days of the "ole school yard". especially, if you grew up in a rural area or small town. i was a very shy kid and loved art. i would have rather spent my time during "recess" drawing, but i wasn't allowed. i had to go "play" with the other kids. which ended up being me mostly watching other kids play (which i really enjoyed equally as drawing). even as a kid-i use to think there was something magical when kids laughed. it was such a safe place to be yourself. i understand some adults have hurtful memories about their childhood and that's sad. but when i think about my childhood-i was one of the fortunate ones who got to fully be a kid and enjoy that part of my journey. i had a great imagination and never fought. i regret being so shy, but it aided in my "good behavior", being liked by everyone, and being seen by the teachers as a "good kid". hide and go seek,jumping rope, playing cowboys and indians (though it wasn't politically correct), hopscotch, tag, climbing trees, picking apples and strawberries, having "play clothes and school clothes", being shy of the girls, exchanging lunch items, and finding a quarter on the ground and feeling rich. boy, those were the days. believe it or not....i bring that kid out of me everyday in one way or the other. i laugh at silly things and become silly. when i am doing art-i feel youthful and my imagination runs wild. i play music that makes me dance in my room....alone and feel great. i'm getting older by the minute-but younger in between the moments.

FINAL THOUGHT: we all have a kid stuck inside us ready to play. that doesn't mean go out and eat mud pies, play mommy and daddy, laugh for no reason, or throw rocks at cans. but at the same time.....who says you can't do those things if for whatever reason the kid in your wants to "play".

QUESTION: when was the last time you felt like a kid?

WHEN YOUR HEART SPEAKS

i love my nephew so much. i received an email from my nephew. a very heartfelt email. he's a very talented young man and has an extremely creative spirit. i can't say he got his creative nature from me, becasue he didn't. i believe it is God-given. i have been creative all my life and i have always "listened" to my heart re: my creativity. i have always gotten compliments and support from family, friends, and strangers about how talented i am. but doing what i do had nothing to do with compliments-as much as it had to do with doing what i love and felt called to do. growing up-there was no one i could explain that passion to. i use to think it meant making alot of money with it or being famous (which i could have done). but it took me awhile to learn to understand my creative nature and how it would make its purpose in my life. there is nothing wrong with making a good financial living with an art you are good at. but my priority when i was young was discovering more about who i was as a person and trying to understand my passions better. i am different from the rest of my family in my thinking, actions, spiritual life, and social decision-making. i love being me. every now and then i will run across another individual that "gets me" and it's a great feeling. God has always understood me and that has always been comforting, but when He brings another human being into my life that understands where i'm coming from.....it's an awesome experience. i have someone like that now. it took years to pass to know what it's like to have a conversation with someone who has the same passions as you do as think like you do. but even if my friend never came my way-i knew who i was and what i was all about-despite the struggles of trying to be heard and understood. luckily, my nephew is supported by me and the rest of the family (as i was), and he has a few people in his life that "somewhat" get him, but really can't relate to his creative passions. to have him open up to me and hear the same words i had once said to myself when i was his age created a bond i couldn't have made happen on my own. i learned to listen to my heart and to God to be at peace to enjoy my creative spirit. i'm hoping i can become another comfort, supporter, and ear to listen to my nephew's heart, and hope he understands how much i really do "get his passions" and struggles that comes with it. i will give him my opinions and tell him stories about my own journey to find myself in art. but he has to learn and experience his own journey. life will be the best teacher for him. hopefully he will pick up some wisdom and suggestions from family to avoid some pitfalls he may encounter. but when all is said and done: he has to learn to be wise by what he'll learn through hard times, failures, and disappointments. he will always have family there no matter what. he will always have God beyond what family can give him (no matter what). and he will always have his heart to listen to when ever he wants to listen "when his heart speaks".

FINAL THOUGHT: i find it easy to find people to believe in me. i find it harder to find people to "understand me". i can function and have functioned without the understanding (it's a great family trait i have). but it's nice to find those people that actually relate to how you feel-especially for us who think and live from our passions. listen to your heart and see if God is telling you something about yourself. about Him. find your passions or renew them and experience them in a whole new way. they are never far away.

QUESTION: what does your heart tell you about your passions?

WHEN LOVE IS CHOSEN

i love dogs! but i can't force a dog to love me back. i love art. but i can't force art to love me back. everyone knows you can't force anyone to love you. you really can't "trick" anyone to love you either. loving someone is voluntary, a choice, and a risk someone will personally choose to take. it is easy to fall in love with someone who wasn't authentic in being who they presented themselves to be. but it still became the choice of the person choosing to love what they thought was real. it isn't a fault to fall in love, but it is a risk we all take when doing so. when i fell in love with my ex and she "let me go". i never blamed her for the love i gave her. she had no control over that process. yes...she was involved in the motions and direction it went: but not responsible for the walk i made in that direction. and when she ended the relationship...my love didn't stop. it just had no place to continue in action re: her. i learned to love her from a distance. i still pray for the best for her. i still wish the best for her. i still have fond memories of her. this is what i can control. if i had the power to "make her love me" i wouldn't do it. it would feel good for the moment, but love is best expressed and experience from the power of choice. God doesn't make us love Him. despite all the confusion surrounding Him and all the controversy that gets in the way of understanding God-to experience God comes best when we choose to do so with what little we know about God. we can fight all day about if God is a he or a she. if God is real or just a poetic suggestion. the fight then becomes just another tool to help to divide people and then it doesn't become about loving God at all. but loving our own ego. i love my family and my family loves me. but it's so cool when someone who isn't a family member-equally loves me with the same intensity of being in my family. or they treat me like i am family to them. some people are happy with the one or two people they love by choice. some people stop loving anybody after a bad relationship re: love. some have issues with God and love being in the same sentence. but there are some who welcome love from anybody and from any place. there are some that are open to cultural walls being broken down to experience love in a different way. there are some who want to know God and experience that love (which has nothing to do with being a part of a religion or attending a certain kind of church). choosing love doesn't solve world problems. choosing love does make life an easier place to live. being loved is even better.

FINAL THOUGHT: there are people we come across all over the place that need to be loved. they wear the face of "i'm ok" and they're not. we wear the same mask at times. but choosing to remove the mask just may give someone else the courage to remove their mask and thus begins a great opportunity to experience a loving journey. and even if you feel you have a ton of people in your life to love and be love by: take that blessing and go even further than you have before. be creative in your choice to love. find new people to love or express new ways to love old loves or experience new loves in the things you do (or use to do).

QUESTION: any new loves in your life lately (be it a person, thing or action)?

"ONE" IN THE WORLD

"we are the world" was released on March 7, 1985. it was a worldwide commercial success and topped music charts throughout the world. it became the fastest-selling American pop single in history. The first ever single to be certified multi-platinum. there were critics from the music industry and the public that were mixed about its success. some enjoyed and loved the racially and musically diversity-knowing that why the singers came together was for a worthy cause: to help famine in africa. but there were others who felt the lyrics didn't challenge the listeners to question how famines occur, and thought the lyrics were abit self-promoting and maybe had selfish motives attached. the sales from t-shirts and all sorts of merchandise aided the success of "We Are the World", which made it eventually the biggest-selling single of all time. it had sold more than 20 million units and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US. the remake of "we are the world: 2010" didn't do as well and got very little attention. it's purpose was to provide aide for the earthquake devastation in haiti. in both cases-people came together to help others in need. but it really starts with "one" to make a difference in the world-whether or not it gets noticed by millions or just the person in need. it's great to see people unite to help with a worthy cause, but you don't need to wait for the worse-case-scenario to make a difference in the life or lives of others. youtube has become a great place to get a few minutes of fame. it appears that everybody wants to experience being noticed. God is the best audience to have and whether you know it or not.....you just maybe the "world" to someone you know right now. make a difference today.

FINAL THOUGHT: i have had the greatest blessings of having others make big differences in my life through the years. it's expected for your family to love you no matter what. but i have been blessed with great friendships that didn't have to love me like a family member.....but did....and still do. i am told alot about how i make others feel good about life, about who they are, and about God. but the ones who share their thoughts will never understand what an amazing honor it is for them to allow me to enter into their life and take part in their journey. making a difference in a life happens both ways: in the giving and the receiving.

QUESTION: how can you make a difference in a life today?

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

there are some that may read the statement above and find it to be an arrogant comment. there are some that may read the comment above to suggest that other countries are not as great as the u.s. still, there are some of you that may read these five simple words as some kind of political "hammer" that's suppose to hurt those who feel differently about this country. it's the fourth of july. a reminder of america's journey that is celebrated every year. the comment is to simple mean this: i am proud of my birth place. it has nothing to do with the rights and wrongs of what this country has done or is in the process of doing. i can love my birth place and hate any injustice that has happened in the name of "AMERICA". no country is perfect because "impeople" run countries. it appears like some americans need a tragedy like the horrible murder of so many lives on 9/11/2001-to unite as one country. i don't know why some lose sight of the "big picture" that there are many haters of america that would love to burn america down to the ground and we can't afford to waist time complaining on issues that cause divisions. i don't want and don't need another 9/11 to feel proud of this country. i don't need a talented performer to remind me of who i am and where i am. i know God uses tragedies and the artistic gifts of men to move our souls to remind us who is really in control of this world. so, maybe instead of being "proud" i would like to say "i'm thankful to be an american". there are many many things that make this country great. and i'm well aware of the problems and corruption that exist in this country. neither am i blind to the how far we have strayed from what our forefathers had in minded in writing the declaration of independence. but we will always be a nation "in progress". a nation that is growing. a nation that needs to become a seed to our world neighbors. a nation that should never forget how america became america. God bless america (may she never forget who You are).

FINAL THOUGHT: it's easy to complain and see faults in our government and our country. i have live long enough to have experienced several presidents come into power.....and everyone was voted into the white house.....and later was found to be "not to be the perfect canidate" for the job. america is still a great nation. we can only do our best with what we got and from what we know. let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.

QUESTION:what can you do to make living in this country (or your own country) a better place to live?

WHEN YOUTH ARE SPIRITUAL

i use to work with high school kids in ministry. these were great kids to be around, teach spiritual lessons from the bible, help develop a relationship with God, and see them change as they would grow spiritually. we took yearly trips to mexico to work at an orphanage during the summer. what an awesome time to see these american kids reach out to kids from another culture who was less fortunate than themselves. to hug and love on these kids. and more than that...to reach out to each other. the best times were at night when we sat around the camp fire. i would play guitar with some other leaders and lead them into worship songs. there would be sharing around the camp fire, personal thoughts spoken, testimonies of what God was doing in theirs lives, and there were always tears. not from wanting attention, but from a real sense of God being in our presence. sometimes adults can be so "stuffy" and fearful to open up and show a side of themselves that is truly real and revealing. we all know how youth goes through times of rebellion, they think they know everything and parents know nothing. their world is sometimes wrap up too much around fashion, friends, dating, technology, and just having fun. but when you are around teens who are in the mindset of worship.....it's an awesome place to be. a very humbling place that causes grown ups to reevaluate their own hearts and walk with God. we all have our youth still somewhere deep within us. don't be afraid to allow yourself to celebrate that "inner child" or whatever you want to call it (being a kid again) in a different way to connect to God. the bible mentions to "not look down on the youth". i say especially when they are looking "UP" to God.

FINAL THOUGHT: i don't know why or how we, as grown ups, allow ourselves to lose that freedom of being young and celebrating life in a more festive manner. i guess we get so caught up on allowing society and others put us into these boxes, and we get stuck in them. i'm not suggesting you go do something that a teenager would do-just to feel young again. but i am encouraging you to regain those memories of your youth (that energy you had....not the memories of bad behavior) and use it to celebrate life every now and then. to celebrate God with the eyes of a child.

QUESTION: do you have a favorite song that makes you feel young and puts you into a joyful mood?

THE UNEXPECTED DREAM

i have been a "dreamer" since i was a kid. just as i am always coming up with new ideas for art....i'm always dreaming up new business ideas (sometimes for other people too). i wrote in another blog about my "brokenheart journey" and experienced something new and different for the first time in my life: forgetting how to dream. it gave me such a hopeless and dark feeling that i had never known before. when i feel in love....all my new and future dreams had my fiancee in the picture. when she was out of the photograph: the picture of my life was left blank. i was never suicidal or anything like that, but it did make me wonder if that was the feeling that led people to want to kill themselves. maybe they can't dream of anything positive for themselves anymore. all they could see in the future (even see for the next hour) was darkness? that experience lasted less than a hour for me. i knew that wasn't me and that wasn't going to continue any longer. she may have owned my heart for a moment, but she wasn't going to own my ability to dream. i soon started to regain old thoughts of "what i wanted to be when i grew up" and a flood of ideas came rushing to my head. it felt really good. with those thoughts and ideas-my purpose and all the things i loved about myself also surfaced. the "broken feeling" i had for a short moment was gone. i know for some people-believing taht they have talent or that they are gifted to reach for dreams they want can be very difficult. i had a team of people that help cultivate my security in me from birth: parents, friends, myself, and God. everybody has the right to dream. dreams are free, but the pay off can be huge if you cultivate it, reach and work for it, and dream in many directions (not just one). you never know at what time or where your dream may happen. you never know if your encouragement to someone else about their dream just may cause them to live that dream-come-true. believing in dreams comes so easy for children. being childlike at times is a great reminder that dreams can come true and that the world is full of people experiencing them happening all the time. sometimes getting what you want from life starts with a dream. having the dream become reality ends with taking a risk to get it, work to cultivate it, and believing that all things are possible with God. dream your dreams. live your dreams. be your dreams. by the way.....youtube susan's audition to get on the show. you'll get a better perspective on her final performance.

FINAL THOUGHT: i still have dreams of new adventures of what i could be when i "grow up". i never wanted to live a life that said "i have been doing the same thing" for 20 yrs or more. there's nothing wrong with staying with what you have been doing "forever"-especially for those people that are doing what they love. but for those who have only been feeling like they are living a lifeless-life of routine: maybe it's time to reach for the stars...even if it's just a little one. the one star maybe be a far as it looks.

QUESTION: what did you dream to be when you were a kid and do you have any dreams now as an adult that you want to reach for?

I LOVE SAD SONGS

i love sad songs. my comments today has nothing to do with the words of this song or its title. today i simply want to talk about my emotions and memories associated with this song. i was stationed on an air force base at bentwaters, england back in 1979. i fell in love with a young woman, who was also in the air force a year later. i believed that God was directing me to end my time in the service and return to college in the states. she and i were engaged and planned for marriage when she completed her tour and returned to the states. soon after leaving england and attending college-i received a "dear john" letter from her stating she had been living a lie, but she gave no explaination to what that meant. at the time of our "falling in love", this song made popular by maxell was originally made popular by its original singer: kate bush. the remake of this song brought back memories of a love once lived and lost. 29 yrs later:this song still can bring tears to my eyes, but not from anger or pain. but tears recalling a memory about the experience of love lost. i hold no grudge or ill-feelings towards her. i have always desired the best life for her and prayed for safe keeping with her health and in her journey. and my rememberance of love lost reminds me of the great feelings of falling in love-to only bring into my life new love relationships that has that same intensity to it. the death of one love brings life to another. and since that time....my love for my friends, family, creativity, life, God, and for myself-is always in my awareness. this song isn't just about the death of an old love, but the birth of new love relationships and the daily awareness of those i love right now.

FINAL THOUGHT: past hurts and memories of pain can become a place of comfort. it's not an easy concept to grasp or easy to explain. but sometimes our past (and current) "bad" experiences can help us to embrace those things in life we so often neglect or not appreciate. we all have been told to "learn from our experiences", but what an awesome place to grow into when you can "love" your experiences-even when they're not so-good. take notice of someone you love even more so today.

QUESTION: how have you dealt with past "bad" experiences?

EVERY WOMAN

wouldn't it be great men if women were just filled with laughter, dance, sex appeal, and you simply loved being around them all-the-time? a very close buddy and i were talking last night about our frustrations with the behavior of some women. this i will declare-despite my frustrations: i love the women in my family! they have their ways that are sometimes challenging for communication or to relate to. but all-in-all.....they are awesome! my sister is very independent and has never needed a "man" to feel valued or secure. my mom is loved by everybody who meets her. you instantly become family in meeting her. my cousin (who is like an older sister)thinks i am the most talented person in the family. all of them speak their minds, not into games, independent, love being who they are, and love me with great passion. and don't let anyone speak negative about me or with any of my brothers.....no comment (lol). and yet, i have difficulty (as most men do) understanding alot of women, as a whole. this has been a continued challenge for men since the days of eve. still, they are desired to be loved and treasured-despite any issues we may find in them (or i should say some). not every woman is the same.....but every woman are the same in the sense.....they are women (whatever that may mean for women of today).

WOMEN IN PIECES

WOMEN ARE LIKE PIECES TO A PUZZLE
THAT YOU CANNOT QUICKLY BE PUT TOGETHER
MATCHING THE PICTURE ON THE BOX

THEY MUST BE GENTLY HANDLED
NOT FORCED TO FIT INTO SPACES WE WANT THEM TO
AND HELD TENDERLY
AS TO NOT BEND EDGES TO THEIR BEING
CAREFULLY STUDIED
TO PICTURE THEM AS THEY ARE
AND TOUCHED WITH CARE
KNOWING THEY ARE VALUED
NOT OWNED

THEY MUST BE GIVEN GREAT THOUGHT
AS THE PIECES COME TOGETHER
AND WHEN THE PUZZLE IS COMPLETE
YOU ONLY LEARN THAT THE PIECES
YOU WERE GIVEN
HAS CHANGED DURING THE PROCESS

AND SO
THE MYSTERY OF WOMEN
CONTINUES IN EVERY WOMAN
AS EVERY WOMAN COMES TOGETHER
IN PIECES
TO COMPLETE THE PUZZLE
CALLED WOMEN

A PUZZLE
THAT IS NEVER EVER COMPLETE
AND NEVER EVER PUT TOGETHER
TO FINISH THE PICTURE
THAT WE THINK WE SHOULD SEE

GREGORY BOYER
06/28/10

FINAL THOUGHT: women can't be solved by anyone. they come in pieces and the pieces that are given to us-keeps us guessing at what to do or say to keep the peace between the two sexes. some women are great about being "approachable" and loved. if you know any woman that you feel that way about who is a friend, family member, co-worker, or spouse-let them know how much you appreciate them as women. especially if being identified as a woman is of great value to them....to own.

QUESTION: so do you have great women in your life?

LISTEN.....

ever heard someone say "time flies when you're having fun?" or how about "it just seems like yesterday i was a kid with not a care in the world." life will hand us heartaches, sickness, sad moments, angry times, doubt, and frustrations. some will experience these things more than others. but you learn that times waits for no one. so, it is up to you to make good use of time by being a seed that will allow time to teach you to love, forgive, endure, treasure, focus, learn, laugh, dance, pray, share, and listen.

THE SOUNDS OF TIME

THE SOUNDS OF TIME IS OFTEN NOT HEARD
IT’S NOT IN A WHISPER OR FOUND IN A WORD
WHEN LIFE IS A NOISE-SO MUCH MOVING ABOUT
TIME CANNOT BE HEARD-WHEN SILENCE IS OUT

THE TICKING OF HISTORY KEEPS MAKING ITS WAY
INVADING THE PRESENT WE KNOW CANNOT STAY
THE PAST OFTEN WRITTEN WITHIN MIND AND EYE
WE READ AND REMEMBER ABOUT TIMES GONE BY

TIME COMES TO US QUICKLY BUT SOON GOES AWAY
AND TAKES ALL OUR MOMENTS WE GET IN A DAY
AND IN A YEAR’S TIME-WHEN DAYS ARE COLLECTED
WE CAN’T SEE THE MOMENTS THAT WE ONCE NEGLECTED

FOR LIFE CAN BE MUSIC-SWEET SOUNDS TO THE EAR
WHEN CHOOSING TO LISTEN TO TIME WHEN WE HEAR
TO HOLD TIGHT TO MOMENTS WE SEARCH FOR AND FIND
FOR NOW IS THE TIME THAT WE LISTEN TO TIME

GREGORY BOYER
06/27/10

FINAL THOUGHT: listen for those times to appreciate and take notice of simple moments that make you feel good. make a decision to increase those times and hold on to them in your memory bank. make a choice to create a "nice moment" for someone else. maybe to a stranger or even someone you may not like at all. "NOW" is always the time.

QUESTION: when was the best time of your life?

One Republic - Marchin On [HD]

KEEP MARCHING ON

I discovered this song on YouTube and simply loved it! I love when music inspires me to dance, evaluate who I am and discover the world around me in a new light. This song has a great beat and simple thought. Nothing new about the message, but it’s a message that speaks to how I see things and I was encouraged by. There is a line in the song that says “For all of the times we’ve stopped….for all of the things i’m not”. I have had my times in life where it felt like I didn’t want to move forward, because I didn’t know where I wanted to go. I knew I couldn’t stay in the place I was, but I didn’t know how to put one foot in front of the other to go in a direction towards “something” that was going to have meaning for me. It was during those times when I look back now and can see how critical I was of myself, not really knowing who I was, not understanding my purpose here on this planet, and focusing too much on what I wasn’t in the eyes of others. But that was then and this is now. I love the journey I have had (even with the tough roads that may have caused me pain). Because I can see how I have marched on and never really stopped…..only slowed down at times. God has taught me about my purpose. I have a ton of people I love and a ton of people that love me back. And there are a ton of others I have yet to meet. But it has never been about the “getting back” as much as it has been about the “giving”. The Beatles once sang a song called “All We Need Is Love”. God has been singing that song to us for centuries!

FINAL THOUGHT: Keep marching on if you feel discouraged because you’re in a rough place right now. It’s not about me not understanding what it’s like to be in your shoes or saying “easier said than done” statements. Standing still has it’s purpose, but putting one foot in front of the other and taking those baby steps to “somewhere” can take you to that blessing that just maybe right around the corner. MARCH ON!

QUESTION: Where are you going in life?