Sunday Morning Thoughts

"Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated". 

-Confucious

   You would not believe the week I've had. It was certainly a great one; one of the best weeks I have experienced in a long time.  Oh, sure. There were many occasions for breakdowns, tears, worry, anger and hatred but I am learning new methods of bypassing these negative joy-kills everyday.  If you want any idea of how I do this I will share it with you. If not, you can stop reading now.

  I believe in living a "good" life.  This simply means that I attempt to have a character that is not abusive, judgmental, prejudiced, angry nor high-minded.  No, I do not agree with every one's lifestyle, methodology, or opinions. I was bred a military man therefore order, consistency, precision and obedience to authority is within me.  One of hardest things I ever had to do was make the transition from the military life to civilian life.  (Even today I do not think I have successfully accomplished this).  In many ways civilian life was the antithesis of all I had learned from my own upbringing and through 20 plus years of serving my country.  I found it most stressful and difficult when I would let all the unfairness that went on around me affect me to my core. I would reason within myself, "If this were the Army and that person was my soldier...". You know the rest.  Eventually I had to learn to care for my own little corner of the world and only then did I begin to feel the pressure release.

  The same applies to life, in general.  I used to spend long hours worrying about family and friend's predicaments. I would become so entrenched in their situations that I would lose sleep, become stressed and depressed and even spend money I should not have spent.  But life has taught me to let go and let God. I learned that you can temporarily relieve a person's situation but if that person does not change within their own heart than you will continually find yourself attending to the same situation over and over again.  My wife has a saying that they recite in her home town of Cincinnati, Ohio, which is, "If you like it, then I love it". In other words, if being as you are is fine with you then it's doubly fine with me. 

  Now comes a bit of my learned method. Each morning before my feet hit the floor I stretch and  I call forth things into my life. I call forth good health, I call forth wealth, I call forth favor, I call forth wisdom; and the list does not end there. One may call forth into their life any and all positive attributes they may feel lacking or are in dire need of.  I find a smile before I am attacked with depression or worry. I become thankful because I have been able to awaken to a new day.  I watch and observe all things using my spirit man's eyes.

  To do these things may seem odd to some or benign to others; but it is far better than waking up unguarded and being at the mercy of the spiritual wickedness with surrounds us all.  My friend, it is time to lose the chains. It is time to walk in true victory and not in that quiet, timid attitude that you have been taught is victory.  It's long overdue that you stand your ground against all that seeks to bury you in a life of complacency, repetition and no hope for better.  I don't know about you but I am going to drain this life of all my rewards. Children of royalty should not be in the hog pen. Shake off your arrogance and pride and unforgiving hearts and come back home to your Father who openly awaits your return.

I've said too much but know that I love you all.
Dennis