Taking Your Life Back

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart.

Helen Keller

 I spent a great amount of time last night thinking about friends and family. That's not unusual for me to do but last night was exceptional.  The thoughts followed me into my very dreams and were still with me as I awoke this morning.  I talk to a good amount of people throughout the week; either via phone, text, or email.  I listen intently to every conversation I am involved in and afterwards I actually meditate on the substance of what was said from the different interactions I have had.  All in all, I recognize a constant theme in what I am hearing from several different people, in different locations, in different situations, and in different time zones concerning their lives; there is an evident attack on the institution called Family.  The "enemy", be it spiritual or fleshly, is not concerned at what tender age your child may be, how long you have been in a relationship with someone, or if you have already suffered one or more devastating events in your life; the intent is to destroy all hopes of you ever truly experiencing happiness and fulfillment in this lifetime.  The lie being spoken is that "No one is truly happy so you shouldn't expect to live that fantasy".  The truth is that there are an abundance of happy people all around us.  I interact with them everyday in some way or another. These are people who have learned what the true meaning of "friendship" is.  These are those who do not measure their success by the material possessions they acquire or the company they keep.  These are they who have sincerely learned to live in this world uncontrolled by so much of the degradation and prejudice and malice and hatred it tends to foster.  

 I am still dismayed at the inability so many people have to do something as simple as to forgive themselves.  "He who is without sin let him throw the first stone", said Jesus.  Yes, I admit there are many people out there throwing a heck of a lot of stones, (you would think they own a rock quarry).  But they are hypocrites and they are not to be paid attention to except as examples of what not to be like and if you are wise you would distance yourself from them immediately. The truth is that some people spend so much of their time re-living their past mistakes, beating themselves up over and over again for that "unbelievable thing" that they did. Eventually they actually believe that God will not, and could not, forgive them either.  But we are so much weaker than God.  I have learned that if no one else will forgive me, I must forgive myself in order to believe in my heart that God actually has forgiven me.

We have so much good to experience and do in such a short life.  Some of us will be given many years to do our tasks, some only a short time. Being cognizant of this, with every new morning I encourage myself to see each day as extraordinary; taking no encounter for granted; regardless as to how small it may seem.  I do not profess to know what principles were ingrained into your spirit as you grew, (and as some are still growing); however, I will be as bold as to say that the very principles which brought you into the light of right doing, compassion and love are still available and are still just as valid as back then.  Instill these principles in your children, your marriages, your relationships and on your jobs.  Love more than only the people who look like you look, talk as you do, and hang out in the same corners you hang out in.  And above all remember, Love is not weak.

 Have a great day.

Dennis