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?