Forward to Happiness

 Given the subject line, this requires a disclaimer.  I do not mean that we are not the same by race, gender, or other demographic measure.  In those areas, we are equal.  However, we are not the same. My experience of my life is that people are not all the same.  We all have the same opportunity to become worthy.  However, all do not take it.  Some will rise to the occassion as he says in Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium to become the best version of themselves.  Others will resort to their base programming or choices.  However, all will define themselves by their actions. Some will value others.  Some will value themselves.  Some will look to elevate others.  Some will elevate themselves.  Some will look to accuse blame.  Some will assume blame to clear others.  However, all will act differently based upon their nature.  And, all should not be treated as equal in the response. In our age of equality, we like ...

  I got this very deformed ash tray from my child, when they were young. I still have it, today.  I never smoked.  I have it, because my child made it for me.  When I see it, it has an energy that it departs to me in remembering them. On the flip side, when I got divorced, I got rid of things that reminded me of my ex.  I didn't want to continue to see things that reminded me of this person that didn't love me and would remind me of false love and hurt that I got from them. In both cases, they are not the person.  They are objects.  Yet, those objects carry forth the ability to evoke memories and establish ties with people that are not present.  They carry energy that they depart... good or bad.  We can try to ignore that fact.  We can say to ourselves.. no.. they are just objects.  But, that doesn't change their power to evoke those kinds of memories or enact emotional toll or comfort. Sometimes, objects can give us courage. People...

In this period of the year, many churches are reflecting on the time when by Scripture and tradition Jesus was most representative of man in carrying our sins to death.  The cross is covered, and the message culminating in a period during which God was absent from man form until resurrection.   Many don't understand why this took place.  And, many do not accept that any man's death could satisfy debt and why it would even be necessary. Recall that when Moses was coming into the presence of God, he was told to cover his face, because if he saw God's holiness he'd die.  Why would that be necessary?  To understand this, you must look to justice.   I'm sure many of you have had others wrong you in some major ways.  I know I definitely have.  Our hearts cry out for the balance of justice.  That's the basis for our own justice system in every country.  There must be a consequence for those actions to make up for the evil that was don...

I faced a lot of internal struggle over whether I'd be continuing this blog, but I will not be ending it.  I will describe some of the temptation to do so, what I realized in reflection, and why it must not end in this post. Over the last few weeks, I noted that I had begun to question whether I should be writing these blog posts and more.  I reflected on the fact that it seemed that VERY often I will write something that I absolutely knew to be true and often Divinely inspired, but I was almost immediately seeing it challenged and tested in my own life.  It got to the point that I was afraid to write something good, because it might mean that the good thing would be tested in my own life.  Often, the test was relatively short lived but often very uncomfortable.  Further, I was seeing what I said that was rejected or challenged being spoken openly by others with easy acceptance.  So, I was tempted to believe that I just wasn't authorized by God to speak out...

I thought I would give another element of what I have learned is a good part of finding happiness in relationships and in life... communication.  I won't give a lot of details, but I will discuss it in general terms as to why it is important. As I reflect back on failed relationships and more, I can see a common element.  In many of them, there was a lack of communication, early, to both describe what I was looking for and to listen to what others was seeking.  Sometimes, you can be tempted to believe things are present, when they are not.  So, you feel confident based not upon experience but upon hope.  Then, when things appeared not to be present for what I sought or I was not what they sought (often because I didn't know they sought it or expected it), you can find yourself far down a path that doesn't lead to where you want to go.  Then, people get frazzled and connections get strained for the lack of something being present that wasn't fully communicat...