It’s Thursday afternoon in June and raining again. Most years we’d be preparing to start a really dry season so I’m grateful for the rain and the cooler temperatures. I’m thinking I don’t have much to say which usually turns into a lot but I needed to write something.
I bought a couple of poetry books the other day. One is a book of poems called Pillowtalk, I have really enjoyed the poems written in this little book. The other book is “poemcrazy” by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge and is more of an exercise book to energize the reader’s poetic creativity. I also like that book. I bought an autobiography of Elvis Costello and started reading it last night, I think it will be interesting to see the journey he’s taken to become the musician he is today. I couldn’t stop there and ordered a new book written by Yvonne Chouinard. I will spend a lot of time in his book. The story of his life as a surfer, climber, blacksmith, businessman to his current life of heading Patagonia, doing a lot of Tankara fly fishing, and making the case for environmental conservation to governments all over the world. I kindle purchased a couple of other books called “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben and “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by Lori Gottlieb. I’m about halfway through both of them. My bookshelf at home is 5 shelves high about thirty six inches wide and each shelf has two rows of books on it. I think it’s time to do something about more book shelving.
I have grown a beard. I like it but I think it makes me look older, not positive of that but that’s what I see in the mirror. If any of you have input on that subject let me know please. Having a beard causes a bit of discomfort when it begins itching or the skin under it dries out so I’ve begun a maintenance program of keeping it trimmed, using a soap designed for beard washing, and using beard balm/oil. I just wish it had a little color to it, I think. I see photos of older guys with grey hair and beards and they look pretty good. I’m not sure I can pull it off though and I get no confirmation of looks good or shave it off from my daughters so I’m travelling blind. I’ve also had some tests run looking for food allergies and/or sensitivities and have tested positive for reactions to dairy, gluten, fructose, and corn. It’s crazy. It has changed my diet dramatically. I started eating different around the middle of April and I weighed approximately 287 pounds. I weighed this morning and was 262 pounds. My goal is 240 then aim for 220. I think I feel better but I can’t confirm it’s such a drastic change it’s made me feel like a new man. I do like losing the weight though, especially breaking through the plateau I was stuck at last time I tried losing weight which was at 272 pounds. A lot of changes happening. I read a while back that a lot of men grey early due to vitamin deficiencies, I think I’ll have that checked too. It may not make a difference because it could be like my hair loss which began at 22 years old. It’s probably genetics.
The art class is over and I’m taking the summer off from evening classes. I am missing the interaction with other people and discovering how creativity comes in all kinds of shapes, forms, colors, sizes. I met some fantastic people and had a great time. It’s interesting to see what comes out of their minds and into whatever form of expression the assignment is. So far I’ve been the oldest person in the room for all three of the classes I’ve taken. BUT… I have been really comfortable in the classes and really have had a great time. I would recommend taking a few courses for fun to anyone who is tired of sitting at home doing nothing. The instructors have been great and seem to enjoy having me in the room. It seems with age comes a boldness to go first when I would have gone last in my youth. Its’ fun encouraging the others in the class and listening to them talk about their lives, plans, and dreams. There are one or two I would really enjoy keeping a conversation with just to see what they do with their lives and they seemed to have a quiet reserve that reflected deep thinkers even when you could see them with a little jeering curve of their lip when they heard or thought of something funny. The part of it I haven’t shared is I feel like I needed that atmosphere to be part of my life in this season. I can’t give you a specific reason but it fit and I hope it continues to fit in my future.
I always wonder why certain people are meant to cross our paths and what is the intent behind those crossings? I believe God sets a path before us and it’s full of encounters that are intended to help us. At the same time I believe encounters become reciprocal meaning we help others. We have a choice to journey on those paths or set our own courses apart from God but I don’t believe He ever gives up on us. I believe God takes an interest in every one of us and knows where we are and how we are doing so He is always able to send grace across our path. Grace to encourage us to walk in accord with Him. Why do we need His grace? I have not been able to find anywhere in the bible that states we are guaranteed an easy life. With that said and some of you will disagree but I would say this: Take a while and recount your life, not just the physical realm, look inside your heart and head as you recount your history. What do you remember? How many of the hard times or bad times can you recall? Compare the bad times to the good times and if you favor the good times why can’t you stay in that place once you find it? I have mapped my journey and it’s been a journey of growth. Yes, there have been failures but there have also been successes. It takes both good and bad to bring maturity. I would like to remember God’s grace is always enough to get us through any and everything we are facing and will face. We are the one who determines the measure of faith we're willing to apply to our lives and walk out the journey set before us. God will not invade our free will, He wants us to choose. Our choices determine our level of commitment and love towards Him. Argue if you want but be sure your argument is based on sound scripture or don’t bring it at all. I haven’t shared any of this in quite a while so I hope you don’t take offense and if you do let’s at least talk about it because when people just disappear it hurts, especially when you feel an association that resonates deeply inside your being. There is nothing we can say that can’t be overcome with love and forgiveness. I would also throw trust in there. Trust is an amazing subject. We tend to associate with people who are intent on trust being earned but I contend and present this: If trust is to be earned what are we capable of doing that would cause God to trust us at the level we want or desire? If you trusted me until I messed up or you believe I messed up and you don’t trust me anymore does all relationship die at that moment? Is it possible for you or me to assume God operates in the same manner? It’s a bit unnerving to think if God were to operate the same way I do I will end my journey in a good way! Maybe we need to reconsider our position on love and trust and move our positions more towards being like Christ! I’m not saying trust everyone or every situation but I am saying if you know the person and things seem to come apart take the time to consider how Christ sees them and are we looking at them in that way or are we being selfish and not allowing them the opportunity to experience love and forgiveness the way Christ wants to love through us?
I always wonder why certain people are meant to cross our paths and what is the intent behind those crossings? I believe God sets a path before us and it’s full of encounters that are intended to help us. At the same time I believe encounters become reciprocal meaning we help others. We have a choice to journey on those paths or set our own courses apart from God but I don’t believe He ever gives up on us. I believe God takes an interest in every one of us and knows where we are and how we are doing so He is always able to send grace across our path. Grace to encourage us to walk in accord with Him. Why do we need His grace? I have not been able to find anywhere in the bible that states we are guaranteed an easy life. With that said and some of you will disagree but I would say this: Take a while and recount your life, not just the physical realm, look inside your heart and head as you recount your history. What do you remember? How many of the hard times or bad times can you recall? Compare the bad times to the good times and if you favor the good times why can’t you stay in that place once you find it? I have mapped my journey and it’s been a journey of growth. Yes, there have been failures but there have also been successes. It takes both good and bad to bring maturity. I would like to remember God’s grace is always enough to get us through any and everything we are facing and will face. We are the one who determines the measure of faith we're willing to apply to our lives and walk out the journey set before us. God will not invade our free will, He wants us to choose. Our choices determine our level of commitment and love towards Him. Argue if you want but be sure your argument is based on sound scripture or don’t bring it at all. I haven’t shared any of this in quite a while so I hope you don’t take offense and if you do let’s at least talk about it because when people just disappear it hurts, especially when you feel an association that resonates deeply inside your being. There is nothing we can say that can’t be overcome with love and forgiveness. I would also throw trust in there. Trust is an amazing subject. We tend to associate with people who are intent on trust being earned but I contend and present this: If trust is to be earned what are we capable of doing that would cause God to trust us at the level we want or desire? If you trusted me until I messed up or you believe I messed up and you don’t trust me anymore does all relationship die at that moment? Is it possible for you or me to assume God operates in the same manner? It’s a bit unnerving to think if God were to operate the same way I do I will end my journey in a good way! Maybe we need to reconsider our position on love and trust and move our positions more towards being like Christ! I’m not saying trust everyone or every situation but I am saying if you know the person and things seem to come apart take the time to consider how Christ sees them and are we looking at them in that way or are we being selfish and not allowing them the opportunity to experience love and forgiveness the way Christ wants to love through us?
Just my thoughts…
Yes, I know, I said I didn’t have much to say but something clicked…
Hope it provoked you to consider some situation or person you need to reconsider and I hope you see a path forward to grow those relationships.
Enjoy life, it doesn’t last that long…
Later…
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