The Start Of Another Year

Staying positive, focused and motivated is not always easy for me. Unlike some people, I have to work hard at it. It's a combination of several things; my childhood, my relationships, my careers, familial issues and more. I've discovered long ago that things which happen in one's life are sometimes traumatic enough to drive a person to acquire extreme behaviors, mental issues or addictions and without the help of true friends, a loving partner or a total stranger, (who has devoted his/her life to helping others through counseling and social work) some of us would, indeed go insane or succumb to a premature death. 

  No man is an island

No man stands alone

Each man's joy is joy to me

Each man's grief is my own

We need one another

So I will defend

Each man as my brother

Each man as my friend

-Joan Baez

  A new year has come. It is now 2018. If I told you that I cannot imagine what this year has in store for me I would be lying. Although I cannot predict each circumstance which may arise I can tell you that there are some things I am greatly anticipating because I have designed for them to come into fruition.  The usual "cast of characters" will also be before me in this New Year. You know who I am referring to; doubt, envy, hatred, rumor, slander, pain, ignorance; to name a few, but that's all right. They only exist to make me strong and through it all I must remember that my primary purpose is not to be an object of abuse or to be used by any person but, instead, to show the strength of God's love and with strength. 

  In 2018 I look forward to my visions and dreams becoming a reality. It took me a while, but I finally learned some of the lessons life has been trying to teach me for many years. I wish you peace, my friends. I wish you success in your good endeavors. I pray that you will no longer procrastinate in matters of your health. I pray you find the power to let go of whomever and whatever is stunting your growth and killing your dreams and aspirations. Let the paralyzing fear be cast out of your life and take that leap that you have been promising yourself you would take year after year. Explore more than your limited perimeter and travel somewhere new. Get to know new people and seek to understand others who don't look and act like you. Live your life!

  I love you all. 
  Dennis