I'm stronger than I think I am... we all are.

I had an experience some years ago where a thought came into my mind that nearly took my breath away, but it has stayed with me and strengthened me more times than I can count. I was using a technique in which you find a place to meditate, and ask yourself the question, "If my future self could tell me anything, what would it be?" As I said, the answer was swift and unexpected. For me, it was:

~ You are stronger than you think you are. ~

That got me to thinking over these years since that it is partly due to the learning and living that when you look back, you say, wow... I can't believe I was able to do that. Well, this seems like it has been one of those times lately, when I feel stuck and unable to do much about things I believe are important, at least they are to me.

I have been trying to figure out how to share some of those things with friends and family without spam mailing, and it hit me... duh! Put it on the blog... So, this post isn't so much "personal" as it is informative. Hopefully you will find the links to be informative and unbiased, and then consider for yourself what you think and believe.

First I want to start with 9 Principles. In summary, this is about finding a voice in our nation and realizing others want that too.

Then I want to move to 12 Values. This is a bit big to read, but well worth it.

Even though I have the links above, I still want to list them here, if for no other reason than to see them myself for a lift.

The nine principles are the first step... The nine principles can't stand by their own... but;

~ You are not alone. ~

1. America is good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

The Twelve Values

Honesty:

• We must mean what we say and say what we mean. As individuals, never let anyone -- make a vow today. You will never let anyone doubt your word. Mean what you say and say what you mean.

Reverence:

• Means quiet, reflective, be still, listen, ponder.

Hope:

• A belief in the potential. You know who you are. There will be a brighter tomorrow.

Thrift:

• Understand that nothing is disposable, from people to things to the planet to the individual.

Humility:

• If we're humble, we can find the real true us, flaws and all. We're willing to look at the "Us."

Charity:

• Charity is about us as individuals. We care. We want to change our heart. Pure charity is to be god-like. We lose our focus on ourself and worry about others.

Sincerity:

• Be sincere. Live what you believe.

Moderation:

• Benjamin Franklin said I'm not going to eat too much and I'm not going to drink too much. But really it's bigger than that. It's moderating our passions. You do little things. You just stay aware.

Hard work:

• If you have hard work, you are growing, you're independent, you have self-worth. You know your own capabilities. You're honest about yourself on your limitations. You have long-term thinking. When you're working hard, you're working toward something. That gives you hope.

Courage:

• Where does courage come from? It's from living the principles and the values, honesty, hope, humility, belief in God, knowing who you are, knowing what you believe, knowing how it ends, knowing how it began. I know that people will think that I'm crazy and that's fine... [pray] for guidance and courage to do the things that he would want me to do, to say the things that he would want me to say and in the end to have the courage not to falter, to have the courage to know what the truth is because I can face anything, you can face anything if you know who you are and what's important.

Personal responsibility:

• Own up to your own things because that's the only way you'll change things. It's okay if you make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. It humbles us, and if we're honest with each other and honest with ourselves, we become stronger.

Friendship:

• We need to expand our circle of friendship. We need to start trusting one another again. We need to start seeing our neighbors again.

It kind of comes down to, if I have something that is important to me, I will post it here for others to access and ponder for themselves. I'll keep it in the right column, and I will make every attempt to avoid clutter. My "space" is meant to feel peaceful, so I'm going to do my best to avoid messing that up.

Much Love & Hugs,

Relationships last forever

Time escapes us and is gone all too soon. Last week was most especially one of them. I suspect it is even more so when the time investment is closer to the heart. Several times last week I said,"I don't want to go. It's too soon." Bitter sweet reunions, happy times together, and sad realizations when the time is spent . I guess that is what happens when you let others so deeply into your heart. That is the price to be paid.

Roy Lessin once said:

~ Nothing can replace the time we spend investing in the life of another. ~

I add to that; nor can any conceive the depth of meaning and value brought into our own by them.

Kelly Caron phrased it beautifully when she penned one piece entitled;

~ Hold on tightly to what is truly important in life. ~

I'm not letting go on my end, I hope and have faith that they won't let go at theirs. I can't imagine my life without them, neither can I bear the thought. So, as one of those to whom I speak of so wonderfully offered, "I'll see you when I see you." But it was still so very hard to walk away...

Much Love & Hugs~

If you're not deciding for yourself, who is?

Steven Covey is a great source for many a profound thought. One such is from Rita Mae Brown who once said:

~ Peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one. ~

There is immense truth in that statement. It kind of sums up the writing I did earlier in the week. Perhaps you might find something in it of worth to yourself.

Much Love & Hugs~

Captain of my Ship

I sat reflecting one summer morn
as I wrote of the things to portray,
of life and struggles I've had of my own,
of lessons I've learned on the way.

When to my mind came a heavenly view
understanding of things as they are,
the power each has their whole life through
the effects, good or bad, reaching far.

It all takes place on the open sea
where each person stands at the wheel.
The task is a captain each one will be,
a ship of their own is the deal.

Each one departs without knowing much
of the waters they'll have to endure,
whether they're gentle, or peaceful and such
or if storms will bring death that seems sure.

The journey begins, the waters are clear-
the sun, it shines bright in the sky.
There is a slight breeze just off from the peer
and you look at the wheel with a sigh.

Three choices are yours to choose from each day,
the first is to steer and stand tall,
or give unto others to steer your way,
or have no one steering at all.

The second's no good - you are destined to fear,
feeling helpless as time passes by.
Storms seem much worse when someone else steers
and you're just along for the ride.

The third option too - no one steering at all,
is there possibly anything worse-
than riding through waves with each rise and each fall
too scared to try what was rehearsed?

Only the first choice can bring peace of mind
in spite of the set backs you'll know.
You have the compass another can't find,
the map of the place you're to go.

In spite of the doubt that may come to be
the access to help, it is near.
Although He'll not steer your ship on the sea,
He'll stand by your side as YOU steer.

Some learning can only be learned going through
the worst things to ever abide.
He'll teach as you go and explain how to do,
through the worst storms he'll stay by your side.

With anchor let down he's steady and strong
if you listen and trust on his words.
Understand it or not you will never go wrong
but will feel just as free as the birds.

So be you, someone else, or just tossed here or there,
it's your choice who your captain will be.
Wanted or not, be success, or through fear-
on my ship, the captain is me.

"At the helm" by Danny Hahlbohm
For more information on the Artist Danny Hahlbohm, visit his information page.

*Rita Mae Brown is a source of many a wonderful and often humorous quotes worth reading.

Where will your journey take you?

And so my journey begins. A good day for beginnings, especially since today is my birthday, which also makes today a good day for living. (And a good day for remembering, too.) That said, I'll get on with it.

The point of, well, this place, is to lift; myself as much as family and friends, or to anyone else who may travel here. Thoughts, quotes, & lessons learned; keeping the destination in view. Remembering that purpose in life drives from within. That something pushes and that gives hope, and something special absolutely necessary to accomplish what at times seems so impossible. The something that, even if defeat threatens and tears come, there is no giving up, only getting up and starting again because the dreams and faith refuse to die. And even if defeat should threaten, as surely as breath is requisite for life so too is the dream. No obstacle is too big, no defeat final. And as Randy Pausch so beautifully stated:

~ Brick walls are there for a reason.
They let us prove how badly we want things. ~

So, Where's the brick wall? It's time to get started.

Much Love & Hugs,