Moods
It’s hard these days to keep myself in a good enough mood. I awaken each day and smile even if I don’t feel like it. Some days are easier than others to stay on level ground with my emotions. It’s really hard though when those around you are upset or just “having a bad day.” I have an Asperger child who fights depression. The social “game” is just too hard on him. I try to reason him out of some of his moods, but you can’t reason with them as you would any other child. Then I go to work and am around those sick and hurting. It’s hard enough for them to stay positive without those handicaps. Fellow co-workers also have their good and bad days, so all in all, it’s a battle to just keep your head up. I try...
The Meaning of Words or S.H.I.T.
To all of my Christian friends out there, don’t quit reading because you think I used a cuss word. I have a story to tell you about how the meaning of words has changed over the years. I was writing a book based on my father’s life, and during an interview he told me a story. We were talking about the days he served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. I did not know that the Air Force wasn’t recognized as such during WWII. He proceeded to tell me a story, as as he often did, and still does to this day. He said, “do you know what the meaning of the word shit was?” I laughed and said I thought I did. Well, he proceeded to tell me that during WWII, in the ships, they used to have the initials S.H.I.T. and that meant Store High In...
What Does It Mean to Grow Old Gracefully?
I was getting ready for work the other day and this question came to mind. I had always said I wanted to grow old gracefully, but what does that really look like? I am 62 years “young,” as they say. I exercise and like to take care of my body. I also enjoy my quiet time with the Lord each and every day. But often times, I neglect my soul. Soul, meaning my mind, will, and emotions. I grew up being a people pleaser. I always tried to “keep the peace,” staying out of the way of anyone who was in a bad mood. I never got punished too badly, because I knew when to hide. We were a family of eight, 6 children and 2 parents. My dad owned his own business and always had constant demands put on him. Once in a while, my mom had reached her limit with...
The Power to Change
When I was just 16 I remember going to Florida with my sister-in-law and her mother. It was a long car trip from Indiana to Florida and I remember my sister-in-law feeling sick to her stomach. Her mother told her to put on some lipstick and it might make her feel better. It sounds funny, but in some small way I believe there to be some truth behind the idea. Many things can give us an upset stomach, the kind where you aren’t going to throw up, just that nagging feeling that you are not right. Emotional and/or physical problems can make us feel sick. I have been watching some Tony Robbins videos lately and he has been talking about how to change your state. It’s not enough to just think differently, or even speak out loud what it is that you are...
Black And White
I just witnessed an act of prejudice. I was at a local grocery store when I heard a man yelling something. I didn’t really pay attention until he kept yelling so I turned around to look. It was then that I heard him say “I’m talking to you boy,” and looked to see a black man walking some distance away. It made me feel sick that this still exists today. Oh, I hear of it on TV or read about it in an article, yet I never actually witnessed it. When you witness something, it becomes real. I thought we had evolved as a race to realize that we are all made in the image of God. After all, Jesus was a “man” of color. When will we learn to accept each other’s differences and embrace them for who they are as a human being? After...