It’s Going To Take a Lot of Love
What would you say if someone asked you, What does Love mean to you? Would you describe it as a feeling, a moment, a relationship or connection, perhaps a state of mind? Indeed, love is difficult to explain, much less obtain, sustain, and maintain. Love is many things, yes? Well, considering the current state of the world, if we are going to get through this, it’s going to take a lot of love.
When examining the current state of our society, we are confronted with pandemic(s), violence, religious suppression, censorship of speech, advancement of unGodly living, (un)education, oppression of faith, political corruption, social activism of business, travel dangers; in short, the devolution of humanity.
Sad, but acutely true, yes? The undeniable question, then, is, “How do we manifest the change(s) that will reverse, undo, redirect, and improve our earthly lives?” The answer, obviously, lies within us.
“What I am looking for is not out there, it is in me.”
– Helen Keller
When you consciously choose to believe in God, and earnestly acknowledge and accept Him into your life, priorities become simplified, actions more obvious, fluid and natural, and joy in life more abundant. Most importantly, it is your choice whether to believe.
Change, you see, begins with you. Some individuals are blessed with an abundance of self-awareness, introspection, insight, and motivation. They are the spirits that change and lead the world. Although not intrinsically easy, getting in touch with your inner self can be achieved with a little help from above.
And amazingly, when dozens, hundreds, and/or thousands, yes, even millions of individuals, apply and manifest similar beliefs, behaviors, and lifestyles; in essence, their spirits join forces and create a synergy that can literally change the world. The formula is quite simple.
This energy “field”, if you will, is powerful, impactful, and indeed, very real. Your heart can sense and feel it. Your mind can experience its presence. An intriguing aspect, however, is that this collective energy does not truly exist on its own, but rather, only exists because it lies within each individual soul. And these individual energies combine in unison and harmony to create the equivalent of a beautiful symphony.
The wondrous and brilliant revelation of this construct is that in reality, each of us does in truth, impact the world, for good or for bad. Possessing this knowledge is a HUGE responsibility and consequently, must drive us to become the best person we can be.
The bottom line, is that YOU, are the most amazing creation in the universe. Thank God. No, literally, THANK GOD. ✝
Lotta Love, by Nicolette Larson
No Time
In the course of our lives, we have the ultimate voice in determining our path, our journey, indeed, even our outcome at the end of the rainbow. Along the way, we must determine our values, goals, priorities, interests, even our location. Most importantly, we dictate and create our attitude, character, integrity, and personal sense of worth.
Hopefully, at some point in the continuum of our lives, we embrace God, develop our faith, make choices that nurture and grow our faith, and in an essential effort, practice our faith. Bottom line, that takes time.
Our personal timelines are cluttered with avenues that consume time like a vortex. Among them; Education, Recreation, Hobbies, Relationships, Pets, Family, Work, Travel, Sports, and Faith. We must strive to become master’s of our own lives, including those things we choose to include, and excluding those things we deem unnecessary, uninteresting, dangerous, and/or distracting.
“Admittedly, life can get complicated, even complex. Without the proper grounding, personal discipline, and determination, outside factors can delay, deter, and maybe, even prevent us from reaching our desired destination. So, we must make time for the things that mean the most to us, that fill our lives with joy and meaning, and ultimately, that impact and enrich our soul.”
Is Your Life on Track?
And so it is with God. As the Creator of all things known (and unknown), we should be eternally grateful, yes? Our every breath, thought, action, and deed resonates from the Word of God. Doesn’t it make complete sense, then, that we live our entire lives acknowledging God’s Divinity, praising Him, Thanking Him, and Glorifying Him for His Mercy, Forgiveness, Support, and Grace that permeates our world, and affects our lives in the most personal ways?
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
At the end of the day (and our life), will we be able to reflect on the amount of time we spent with God, gave to God, asked of God, and devoted to God? Or, will we reflect on a life of regrets, failures, disappointments, pain, sorrow, and stunted spiritual growth?
God is there whenever we choose to communicate and interact with Him. Indeed, that Free Will thing is a fickle beast, and it is incumbent upon each of us to tame it, temper it, and leverage it to build our faith and life to a point, at its end, that it will be acceptable to God so we can spend an eternity in His Grace, Love, Warmth, Comfort and Protection, in Heaven.
Before, there is No Time Left….
Life Without Henry – Seasons In The Sun
© Michael Cerkas
An important part of my life ended last August 12th, when I laid next to, and watched, my closest friend and companion take his last breath. His spirit was so strong his entire life, yet at that last moment, it was silent and peaceful, as it dissolved into another form of existence. Like many aspects of our journey, it was at that instant I realized the enormity of my loss and experienced a pristine clarity and appreciation for life. Indeed, this was no ordinary friend and companion. It was Sir Henry, my closest of friends, my 14-year-old Golden Retriever; well, 1 day short of 14 years.
© Michael Cerkas
Reflective of his entire life, Henry left on his terms. And truthfully, that was a blessing for me, as he spared me the horror of needing to take that dreaded and last visit to the Vet office, to end a pet’s life for them. You see, even if that is the best decision to be made, to end suffering (for both pet and pet owner), Survivor’s Guilt runs rampant for a long time, as you feel like an executioner. Indeed, it has taken me eight months to be able to share my emotions about Henry with you.
© Michael Cerkas
“As Henry departed right next to me on that early Monday morning, I laid motionless, a feeling of emptiness permeating my every thought. All the great memories of Henry with me, along with my entire family, played like old movies in my mind. Happy thoughts, of days gone by, of Sir Henry, from our first day together when he was just a pup, through the gamut of experiences in his (our) life, he pranced like a prince, played like a happy child, pleased others without hesitation, and commanded respect as a noble and regal royal; which is truly how we (everyone) saw him.”
© Michael Cerkas
And yet, as these treasured memories danced in my heart, the reality of what was before me struck and hurt me like a bolt of lightning. Sir Henry had moved on and I was still here. The truly worst aspect was that I knew what I had to do next. Locate and Prepare a final resting place, along with a fitting burial enclosure, worthy of the likes of Sir Henry. Without question, a few of the more difficult days I can remember.
©Michael Cerkas
Being the craftsman that I have come to be, I searched for the best material, the best accessories, and proceeded to build the vessel that would securely and protectively carry Henry to the Rainbow Bridge. As an understatement, there were many tears, deep sadness, and farewells. Yet there was equally, dignity, respect, and bittersweet happiness, as Sir Henry being the alpha male and leader his entire life, would fittingly pave the way ahead, as I watched him fade into a memory from my life.
©Michael Cerkas
His last sunset here was an amazingly beautiful, peaceful, and brilliant August evening. His presence was felt more strongly in my life than by many people who were and are in it. Indeed, there was and will always be, something very very special about this one. Difficult to explain, but a tangibly spiritual presence. Henry made me a better human being. He helped me to maintain my sanity in a chaotic and complex world. He was abundantly special. And he now resides on our property, appropriately in the area he loved to roam most, surrounded by trees, nature, and love.
This is Life without Henry. No more beautiful smile; nor physical sense of his positive energy, no Henry to greet me at the door, nor to lay beside me just to be with me. No bumping his head under my arm to take him for a walk, or to simply afford him some always deserved attention.
©Michael Cerkas
©Michael Cerkas
Only memories, of his “tangle” with that porcupine when he was two and the hundred quills he inherited from the encounter; of him nonstop playing with his favorite beach toy; of his attentive and watchful obedience; of his priceless habit of carrying his leash in his mouth as he walked me; of his enjoyment of sitting, watching, and loving the warmth of the fireplace; of his determination to catch that squirrel in the brush pile. We were kindred spirits and Henry was all these things, and more… to me.
©Michael Cerkas
Sir Henry was a force of nature, so strong, you could feel his presence and connect with him more easily than with most people; without saying a single word. There is gratitude in my heart for having had the privilege of his friendship and companionship for all but a day of fourteen years. There is satisfaction and happiness for enabling him to spend twelve of his fourteen years at
©Michael Cerkas
our retirement lake property, sitting on the front porch, soaking up the Northwoods air, watching people walk by, exploring the woods, chasing animals, basking in the sun, swimming in the lake, enjoying pontoon rides on the flowage, being such a pleasant yet determined creature of God. Oh, how I miss my closest friend.
©Michael Cerkas
And like a soft, wistful breeze, he quietly, yet nobly moved on. And Sir Henry wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Goodbye to You, my trusted Friend…
Life is a Bittersweet Symphony… Yet, play it, we must.
Making Sense of God – The Effervescence of Eternity
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As human beings, we interact with the world as physical organisms; that is to say, we use and respond with our senses. And as a result, we spend a lifetime conditioning ourselves in this way, yet God created us in His image, and that image reflects a Trinity of consciousness; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And to be specific, it is singularly, the Holy Spirit that God infused into our being as humans, that sets us apart from other “organisms”. It manifests itself as our conscience (aka, that little voice inside us), and guides us throughout our life; if we choose to listen to it, and act upon it.
When Jesus Christ graced the earth, as flesh and blood, like us, people could easily comprehend His authenticity and Truth, because they could speak with Him, touch Him, see Him, hear Him, even smell him. Indeed, they got a taste of eternity, without even knowing it. Similarly, To Believe is To See.
Credit: Pixabay
Upon His physical death, brilliant Resurrection, and subsequent glorious Ascension, however, our physical senses became inadequate to directly experiencing Jesus Christ, the human being; the physical organism. To be sure, God supplanted the memory of the physical Saviour with non-direct methods/alternatives to positively communicate the still, living Jesus Christ to humanity.
Miracles, His work through others, nature/environment, the Holy Spirit, and Supernatural events have been recorded in time that point to the fact and reality that Jesus Christ (along with God and the Holy Spirit) is Alive and is living in eternity. Body, Mind, and Soul are humanity’s trinity in the image of God, and our Portal to our next life.
“Likewise, where our human and physical senses end (hear, see, smell, touch, taste), our Divine or Godly senses begin. Space and Time (body), via balance and equilibrium; Intuition (mind), via ESP; and Divine Communication (soul), via faith. Collectively, these eight senses work together to enable and empower our ability to recognize, acknowledge, and embrace the True God throughout our entire earthly life, preparing us for a real, personal, and tangible reunion with God, upon our physical death.”
Credit: Pixabay
And because we were truly created in His image, it is understandable that we travel a similar path leading us into eternity. Our physical birth, life, suffering, joy, pain, free will, and death, perfectly mimic that of Jesus Christ. And it similarly goes without saying, that our destiny is an ascension into heaven for our Final Act. But only, if we truly Believe in God, His Divine Nature, His Unbridled Power, His Perfect Being of Forgiveness, Grace, Love, Judgment, Justness, and His Eternal Presence. For I is Singular For But One.
Achieving Heaven is truthfully simple, albeit perhaps not easy, yet completely within our control. Established rules provide boundaries and desired/expected behaviors (Bible), and Free Will affords us the opportunity to create our own unique future via our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, accountability.
The 12 Seeds of Immortality
Courtesy: Pixabay.com
Life is precious, yes? Even more profound, is appreciating it. Indeed, perhaps, this is the most essential life skill to master.
The pure experiences of nature, our senses, and life’s lessons, distill in us our sense of purpose, being, goals, thoughts, and behaviors. Wisdom is a fleeting thing at best, nearly impossible to attain at worst. Yet we try.
And so it has come to being, my being, in that I believe I have discovered the seeds of immortality through experience, contemplation, observation, experimentation, and maybe a little bit of luck.
“My good fortunes in life initially stem from being the youngest in my family. I had the opportunity to witness life as a child, through the eyes of my brothers and sisters. Indeed, what worked for them, along with what to avoid at all costs. They were, unknowingly, the best teachers I’ve come to realize. The luck came in the form of me recognizing the important moments in my life, analyzing their significance, and creating the path I followed throughout my youth, young adulthood, up to and including my present life.“
Courtesy: Pixabay.com
And so, I’d like to share with you the 12 things in Life that will all but guarantee the essence of your life to live on forever… in the hearts and minds of those who love you.
Collectively, these paths of life intertwine and grow into and with one another, creating and developing an unstoppable force; the force of You.
It all begins with Feeling the Spirit. Our conscience is the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, minds, and souls. To embrace it is the foundation of understanding our being and purpose in life. Better yet, to act upon its whispers to us.
In focusing on the positive energy in the world, we must Give Gratitude for Life. And not just our own, but every facet and manifestation of it on the planet. Cherish life, as it is precious, meaningful, beautiful; and finite.
Hand in hand, we must Demonstrate Goodwill through our thoughts, actions, and behaviors. In a Pay It Forward mentality, Karma is real and powerful. Develop Goodwill into more than a habit. Make it an instinct.
Recognizing and appreciating that we are not alone, Share the Love of God with others, by being an example of it. You just might be the only Bible someone experiences on a particular day. Be ready to teach as well as learn.
And in being aware of your role in the tapestry of life, use yours to Strengthen the Family, as it is the core that sustains you, nourishes you, emboldens you, and ultimately, helps to mold you into your future.
True wisdom exists when we Accept the Reality, Divinity, and Power of God. Life is no accident, we are not cosmic coincidences, but intelligent beings created by Intelligent Design. Breathe in the life force that is God.
Life is a lot more fun and enjoyable when we Advocate for Peace. We are all made uniquely and with purpose, yet because of that fact, it is nearly impossible to agree on everything with everybody. So, give Peace a chance.
We were born with senses, to not only understand the world around us, but also each other. And in following that learning, there is positive energy, tremendous power and goodness in the Physical Touch and Caring we extend to others in our Walk through Life.
Recognizing patterns in life, culture, family, and society, speaks of things people hold dear. Accordingly, Appreciate and Respect Tradition and others will do the same for you.
It is said that to Know and Not to Do is to Not Know. Following, we must Practice Discipleship through our lives as witness to God, in the interest of helping and supporting each other, and in teaching our children Right and Wrong.
As imperfect human beings, each of us has and will, undoubtedly hurt others through our words and/or actions. Life is a long journey, so the best approach to leveraging it in a positive light, is to Advocate Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Healing. Humility is underrated.
And lastly, to set the example for others to see us more clearly, we must Demonstrate Compassion and Giving in our life to pay homage to our Creator. Indeed, to imitate His ways, actions, and life.
If (and when) we can successfully and effectively meld these 12 seeds into a living, breathing entity, it will grow deep and strong and cause our lives to be more meaningful, impactful, and memorable. And, in the Larger picture of life, isn’t that the ultimate goal each of us truly desires? God Bless us all.
You Can’t Stop The Truth
Photo Credit: Pixabay
As human beings, each of us is a complexity of experience, genetics, knowledge, opinion, bias, fear, judgment, and imperfection. Throughout our lives, we have gathered information, formulated thoughts, conclusions, and feelings. We react to our environment, especially to other people. Our core values direct our life whether we are aware of it or not.
Facts are indisputable, measurable, and descriptive aspects of physical things in the world around us. They are discovered, formulated, documented, proven and are real. Information is the totality of individual details of anything and everything. Facts and information help us make sense of the world and all that is in it, via dictionaries, reference books, diagrams, formulas, instructions, etc.
“And then there is Truth… Ah yes, those things that exist in a vacuum, that many times cannot be seen, heard, touched or proven, but merely acknowledged… Things like; time, good and evil, the universe, electricity, life itself… and God.”
Photo Credit: Pixabay
There are truths we more readily accept because we don’t or can’t perceive the difference they create by their existence, and then, there are Truths we protect with our lives; justice, freedom, goodwill, fair play, safety, philanthropy, love… and our Faith.
Try as we might, and people have; we cannot prove or disprove faith. Truth can not be compromised or erased. Facts are not the truth. Indeed, that is the fundamental essence of it and which defines it. To understand faith, you must possess it. To understand Evil, you must recognize and know it. To understand goodwill, you must demonstrate it. To comprehend God, you must experience Him. This is precisely why Good and Evil exist in the world; so that people know the difference between them and can recognize them when and where they exist.
As a Christian by choice (you know, that Free Will thing), I believe in my heart that God is Truth, God is Light, Light is Truth, and that Truth is Unconditional, like Love and Compassion. I acknowledge God as my savior and strive to practice His Truth daily, in spite of the fact I am an imperfect being. Indeed, I am imperfect so that I can recognize God.
To fully experience life and grow as a human being, it is essential to face the truth, every time and in every way. The Truth strengthens and enriches your soul. It crystalizes priorities and solidifies motivation. It makes your hopes and dreams achievable and is the basis for happiness.
You can’t stop the Truth, and Only the Truth will set you Free!
Faith As A Power Source
Intrinsic motivation has always intrigued me as a chess game intrigues a chess player. Indeed, I have been driven my entire life, by multiple forces, yet one plateaus above all others.
Something inside me responds with energy and inertia when I am told I don’t have the skills, resources, determination or vision to accomplish some objective. Is it simply a desire to succeed? Or perhaps, the appeal of a challenge? Maybe, to seek an opportunity to help others? Or, to gain their approval?
“I believe, in my heart of hearts, the driving force that catapults and propels me forward to accomplish any worthwhile objective is the resulting opportunity for me to Witness that God provides whatever is necessary to accomplish His goal(s) through a sinner like me.”
Photo Credit: Pixaby
In short, I wholeheartedly crave the ability to credit God as my Power Source in every meaningful thing I do in my life; to Witness to Him as my Lord and Savior. To use His Power in my life to help others, to learn from others, and to help others find themselves and their faith. Collectively, to grow His kingdom on earth.
I have asked myself many times, could it really be that simple? Is God that powerful? Is He that omnipotent? Amazingly, is God that Real? The answer, simply, is yes, Yes, YES, and YES!
“For some, personal power is derived by knowledge, others by the desire to succeed. Still, others believe in a survival instinct of sorts, and yet others rely on successes that build self-confidence. Certainly, there is no singular right answer. All I know is that my motivation comes unilaterally and explicitly from my faith in God and all He provides, allows, bestows, offers, and wills.”
Photo Credit: Pixaby
Much like an athlete sets goals for him/herself, their focus yields a building block approach. The football player focuses on the next First Down before the Touchdown. The Nascar driver each lap, before the finish line. The Christian, the next opportunity to Witness, before their personal salvation and resurrection. We are all, in fact, competitors and participants in the game of Life. And, to be successful and grow, we must remain focused and aware of what is directly in front of us each and every day, regardless of the longer-term objective, goal, need or desire.
You see, faith is an incredibly powerful source of energy and Truth. Both emanate from a single point of origin, God the Father. Energy is created through inspiration, survival, fear, need, desire, protective instincts, indeed, love. Truth, however, comes solely from God, is not to be confused with facts, and by design, is accompanied by and rooted in morality. Man possesses no innate morals as morals are learned and man is imperfect. True and objective morality, therefore must emanate from the creator as He is the teacher and is perfect.
Most assuredly, many people have heard the phrase, “Trust your Instincts”, yes? And, in many circumstances and scenarios we face in our lives, our
instincts come into play and focus on determining our actions and behavior. Yet, at the core of our spirit and being, those instincts we all possess, are founded in morality, and morality originates singularly from God. The point being that God influences and largely, controls the higher level direction and trajectory of each of our lives, whereas, we are simply charged with our thoughts, actions, behaviors, and ultimately, our choices.
In the end, collectively, a large objective of human life lies within each individual discovering their (our) purpose in life. Once found, life transforms and ascends into something much more meaningful, worthy, and impactful; for us, and for all the other people we come into contact with, along the way. Here is praying, hoping and wishing each of us is open to learning as much as we need to live a Purpose Driven Life. In the big picture of eternity, it’s your life, so live it like you mean it. Who do you want to be? God Bless and Be Well.
Mind, Body, Soul – The Harmonic Symphony Of Faith
Pixaby.com
As a young Christian, I was an Altar Boy, learned the Holy Mass in Latin, respected the Institution of Church, and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Life was simple; you honored God with your life, you became more familiar with the Bible, and you consciously attempted to avoid Sin.
Pixaby.com
And then you grew up to join the world of Adults. Life became more complex, more interesting, more opportunistic; indeed, more dangerous. New emotions were born, along with the awesome sense of independence, responsibility, and choice; yet was fraught with anxiety, fear, learning, self-awareness, and sense of purpose. Self-doubt became a familiar foe, and uncertainty, as well as unsureness, occupied the top floor in your mind.
Adulthood was a vast swimming pool, inhabited by a plethora of personalities, agendas, boundaries, opportunities, detours, dangers, and few reassurances, if not, real and true friends.
Pixaby.com
Even as a young child, then youth, and now, adult, I’ve possessed a unique ability to recognize patterns, whether they be mathematical, associative, visual, environmental, behavioral, societal, or spiritual. Patterns, when examined and analyzed, yielded profound insight, dare I offer to say, wisdom when combined with personal experience and knowledge.
Mind, Body, and Soul, is one of those amazing euphemisms that lends itself to analogies, corollaries, and logical deduction. My intuition leads me to associate it with the traditional Christian prayer and Mass opening symbology, i.e., “In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Specifically, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Indeed, Christianity is steeped in Trinity, as in things grouped in three’s.
Let’s begin appropriately with the Mind and how it relates to the Father. The mind is the head or leader of the body, as is the father in a family. It is the origin of thought, ideas, innovation, solutions, and planning, as it relates to the body, as is the father as he relates to his family. Likewise, its primary function is to protect the body, like a father protects his family.
Following, the Body is to the Mind as the Son is to the Father. Both are inherently submissive, take direction and are dependent upon their predecessors. Until fully trained or conditioned, both grow by learning via cause and effect relationship. Both mature from creation and both share an intensely intimate relationship with their Master. Both provide iterative feedback in an ongoing fashion.
And, at last, the Soul and its comparison with the Holy Spirit. As the soul represents the ethereal origin of our human/mortal component of Christianity and our existence, the Holy Spirit shares that role with the Father and the Son. Each represents intangible, yet necessary if not essential form and function as parts of the whole.
“Collectively, with each scenario, a synergistic force is manifested when the three components combine and function or work together. The mind, body, and soul join forces to establish and identify each of us as human beings. And, accordingly, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit meld into what we can only define or describe as the Supreme Being, sometimes referred to as the Divinity. God is what I refer to as the Incomprehensible Truth. Omnipotent, Present and Eternal.”
Most notably, God is the divine and harmonic symphony of Peace, Love, Joy; and Life. We exist solely because of, and for, His preference and direction. It is in our, or more precisely, your best interest to acknowledge His existence and presence. It is, however, your choice to accept Him as your personal savior and King.
Bottom line, to Believe is a Bittersweet Symphony. Accountability with Eternal Life. God Bless you and Be well.
(This article is dedicated to my Parents (Leonard & Agnes), whom I miss greatly, yet whom I undeniably know I will see again. Love you.)
Up Where We Belong
Diego Alves on Pexels.com
All of us have this insatiable desire to belong, to share, to possess the knowledge of our future; to be able to influence our future. Indeed, to become our future. And what hangs in the balance, what buoys our spirit, humbles our minds, and drives our determination; is faith.
Faith, in knowing there is much more to life than meets the eye; faith, in our salvation; faith, in life after death; faith, in God, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. The kind of faith that people have been persecuted for having since the beginning of time, faith for which people have died, faith that people protect with their lives.
To be sure, the fundamental construct of faith is founded in the future, in knowing the past, in trusting God, in loving life. And the reality of our collective existence is distilled into a single universal truth; to Believe is to See.
As much as our faith is centered around our singular existence, relationship and respective accountability with our Creator, it likewise is circular in nature, in that it involves the impact our lives have on others and others impact on us. The whole of our being can best be described as an interconnected, interdependent conscious organism (spirit), et. al.
We spend our entire lives searching for those worldly areas where we belong, yet spend precious little time searching (and preparing) for the eternal life where we will belong into the infinity of time. We must consequently examine our lives and ask ourselves; What are our priorities in contrast to what should be our priorities?
“At the opposite end of the spectrum is the beginning of new life, of being born, of witnessing the miracle itself, of acknowledging and accepting the awesome responsibility and privilege of becoming a parent. And most importantly, nurturing, assisting, influencing, valuing and respecting that precious and amazing life; for it is your legacy as a child of God, your responsibility as a Christian, and your opportunity to enhance, enlighten and empower another ‘soul’ to serve and praise the Creator.”
– (Excerpt from My Amazing Life Is Not In Vein, Michael Cerkas)
Robert Eddison
To belong to anything involves prescribed values, thinking, behavior, priorities, commitment, and restraint. Yet the key to these aspects is rooted in free will, not in indentured servitude. Each of us chooses where we belong, in part, by our desires, and in LARGE part, by our actions.
In choosing where we belong, remember that Love trumps Hate, Good is more powerful than Evil, and actions indeed have consequences. So, in those famous words of the Grail Knight (portrayed by Robert Eddison), in the 1989 film classic, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade….. Choose Wisely.
God Bless You and Be well.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Holy Grail Scene)
(Up Where We Belong: Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes)
Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world few hearts survive
All I know is the way I feel
When it’s real, I keep it alive
The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step every day
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world below
Up where the clear winds blow
Some hang on to used to be
Live their lives looking behind
All we have is here and now
All our lives, out there to find
The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step every day
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Where the clear winds blow
Time goes by
No time to cry
Life’s you and I
Alive today
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Where the clear winds blow
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Planning For The Time There Will Be No Time Left
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As children, most of us were encouraged, reminded and advised to seek happiness in life. Indeed, a wise and noble observation. And, without hesitation, most of us did. So often, in fact, that seeking happiness became a habit that influences, motivates and to a degree, controls us. Yet, at some point, as we reflect on our mortality as human beings, we must not only contemplate but rather, plan for our swan song.
Make no mistake, seeking happiness in life is key to expressing our core values, self-actualizing our dreams, and living a balanced and fulfilling life. Yet, it is paramount to remain cognizant of the fact that our physical lives on this planet are temporary, while our spiritual lives are eternal. And, sure enough, guess which aspect gets neglected the most?
As our physical lives require attention, discipline, critical thinking, benevolence, and compassion, even more so do our spiritual lives deserve the same. It is completely understandable for this phenomenon occurs across the globe, regardless of location, upbringing, commitment, race, heritage, society, and education. It is, you see, human nature. As children of God, we are bestowed with both physical and spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, and acumen. It behooves us to expend our energies toward both, at different times, to different degrees, yet with the same commitment, resolve, and protection.
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” – John Lennon
So, in taking that first step toward planning for the time there will be no time left, ironically, time must be spent assessing and reviewing several aspects of your life; soon to be your legacy. Worth contemplating and in no particular order, are your finances, assets, personal possessions, service arrangements, special wishes, obligations, technology footprint, faith, and the most important yet most neglected, your relationships.
The relationships with the important people in your life typically eclipse all other aspects of your legacy. And this should come as no surprise, as the world largely revolves around the people in it. Take the time (now) to reflect and analyze those important relationships, specifically, why they are important. Then, perhaps for each one, identify what you want to make sure they know about you, that perhaps they do not know, once you have transformed into the next phase of your eternal life. How do you want to be remembered?
Pass on the words you want your spouse to know about you, the intensity and lasting love you always had deep inside, the things you always loved most about them, perhaps, the secrets they never knew, or their secrets that you did know. Speak to your sons and your daughters, let them know how amazing and loved they were (and are), tell them all the things you believe they need to know about your essence, and the things you want them to know to be happy, successful, compassionate and meaningful as human beings. These…. are the things which give your legacy meaning, these are the things which give your legacy life, now, and forever. What a gift to share with your loved ones, yes?
Accordingly, doesn’t it make sense to spend the most time and attention on matters that are more important, lasting, and will describe your life and who you are, without you being able to change the impression as you transition into eternity? Without question, Free Will is understated as is the ongoing conversation with your (our) creator. Gratitude, Humility, Authenticity, and Dedication are key to finding yourself along the path of the journey that is your life, much less, finding happiness of the eternal type.
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
God bless you. Wishing you peace, love, happiness and the time of your life now, and in the future. Be well.
The Inspired Verse 