REFLECTIONS

ME ON MY MORNING COMMUTE.
TIME WISE- EXCELLENT, BUT GAS IS A B_______.

I just wanted to share this with anyone who happens by, take what you will and think/pray about it......and maybe today we can make a difference in someones' life.

The Wife and I are celebrating Anniversary Numero 27 today!

After just losing my Dad- (we've) looked everywhere too!), and the anniversary, this is a very good and sweet time in my life. This is one of those days where (I) put up a little Spiritual Marker, so when I look back, I'll know what was going on during this time period in my journey. That's the whole and sole reason I blog. This is what I would've written today when I did my daily devotions ( no I'm not so disciplined I do them everyday for 20 plus years- but I'm pretty consistent. So you're kinda getting a peek under the hood so to speak, of John. Yeah, you are right--it is a bit SCARY isn't it? And we just got our apps for concealed weapons permits!!!!!)

Journaling has allowed me to look back- (I've been doing it for about 20- 25 years now- (not every day, and some years more than others), but to prod the memory and it's amazing at the pattern of my life and how the Fabric may change.....but the Goal is the same. I would not have noticed those patterns had I not jotted them down I don't think. I guess I'm just kinda taking notes as I walk through life. These and all those notebooks from years past--are just my sticky notes. There's probably a book or two in there. Yeah- I'm one of those frustrated writer types, but we all have a story to tell. Only problem is, is getting someone to listen. I mean REALLY LISTEN and "GET IT". That's cool when that happens -in any relationship. When you know you've been heard and whether agreed or disagreed with- been Validated. And yes, I think that's important to a degree to. Isn't that why we all Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Network, etc? We are social creatures by nature, but this world has gotten so crazy, you almost need that Jet above to protect you from just the PHYSICAL harm people can inflict! Not to mention the BRAIN CONTROL the media, TV, Internet etc. forces on us.

Here are a couple more things that are popping into my head while writing this:

1. Believe nothing, until you have researched and confirmed it yourself. (Esp. about what is said about other people).

2. Don't use Wikipedia as a resource. It's open source and any fact can be added or taken away from the truth!

3. Socialize- en face, with people. Don't loose your conversational and social skills. Resurrect manners and etiquette into a sorely lacking society.

4. Believe in God. Use the Bible as a STANDARD (just my suggestion- you pick your Book, Foundation etc.) We all have to have a base, a starting point to relate FROM, so we can relate TO. Choose your God carefully, wisely and don't let anyone force their God on you. Agree to disagree on the Chit that doesn't matter, but take the best, the intrinsic good stuff from all disciplines and Socialize around those principles.

5. NEVER- Blog about Religion or Politics! lol.

6. Laugh.....no, I mean LAUGH. Laugh your ass off until you cry, can't breathe or pee. Only then can you take a Breath to laugh some more and shoot snot out of your nose from laughing.

7. Laugh at anyone who shoots snot out of their nose!

8. Hug. Someone, something, even if it's imaginary until you can find the physical, but just hug! Best Blood pressure medicine in the world!

9. Don't make it to 10. Things don't have to be EVEN, and neat and perfect. In fact the less perfect the better. In fact, look for the imperfections and in those you will find perfection! Be TOLERANT. We're not the only ones on the planet, in the store, driving, etc.

I had absolutely no Idea that anything more than the e-mail post was going to be put up. Amazing when you relax and things just tumble out. I must have been holding these thoughts in for a while. Cool.

Full-on Forward

J

Keepers............

I grew up in the 50's with practical parents. A mother, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused...their best friends lived barely a wave away.

I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things: a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, oven door, hem in a dress. Things we keep.


It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy...all that re-fixing, eating, renewing...just once I wanted to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more, but then my Dad died, and on that chilly spring night, in that cold hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that there isn't "anymore.' What we care about most gets all used up and goes away....never to return. So...while we have it...it's best we love it and care for it and fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.
This is true. For marriage, and old cars, and children with bad report cards, and aging parents and grandparents, and dogs with bad hips. We keep them because they are WORTH it, because we are WORTH it. Some things we keep...a best friend that moved away or a class-mate that we grew up with.
There are just some things that make LIFE important: like people we know who are special...so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thinks of me a 'keeper', so I've sent it to you, as I think of YOU in the same way...a KEEPER! Now, it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Good friends are like stars.... you don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close!

Ten things that God won't ask on THAT day:

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4. God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5. God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.

7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.

9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10. God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to, He already knows your decision...your Keepers.

The above are fairly good truisms if you will, for any belief system. Pick those you choose to follow, and forward what you will.. Pick out what works for you and enjoy life!!!!!!!!

John