I’ve lived the same history and like you, want so badly for our American dream to continue. I am saddened for our children because I have reached conclusions similar to yours. My solace is that ultimately, good prevails eventually, even if our country doesn’t. Rick, as brats, we’ve always been looking for our true home. It’s not in this world. Retire the pocket constitution and replace it with a pocket New Testament. Spoiler alert: God wins.
Greetings! I wish I could replace my pocket Constitution with the New Testament. It’s been a daily component to living, but even now I struggle with whether I should pick it up anymore. I’ve prayed to God for years only to have him through outcomes leave me standing alone fighting my battles singularly. Yes, my wife Barbara has been beside me, a gift from him. And my son is the greatest “accomplishment” of my life, and I know he would not have been possible if not for God and Barbara. Yet, here I stand, holding the bag He laid on me to sort through the rubble, God absent, questions unanswered. I thank you for your response. Life is short and every day more so. We have to accept God’s plan for our lives. Some are truly blessed, other’s, not so much. Regards!
Troubles are guaranteed in this world. “In this world, you will have troubles,” Jesus says. Yet he doesn’t end there, “But take heart, I have overcome the world!” Some things aren’t seen as blessings by the world (or by us), yet God uses them to drive us to himself. I may be the only person you know who has had to learn to walk 3 times in life — but God has been faithful to meet me in my distress. If we’re counting on ANYTHING other than Him (and most of us are)we still have learning to do. Barbara is a gift, your son is a gift, the next hour is a gift — all wholly unmerited. The next wise move is to know God more and love him more fully. That New Testament we spoke of is a map to that. God’s kingdom will outlive our beloved republic…and we see that shifting into place even now. We all need to ask ourselves what holds the highest place in our hearts and do constant course correction. It’s the thing that matters most. That’s where peace is found. Warm regards to you too, my brat friend and brother!
It saddens me that this will be your last one! Your words have brought insight, laughs, tears and memories. There’s a plaque in my house that reads “We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust the sails.” It has been used by various speakers throughout time. I believe it’s original entirety was “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”
~Thomas S. Monson
Yes, it’s hard to keep positivity in today’s times. There’s not much we can do about the insanity of todays political climate except VOTE! It will not control my well-being though. Don’t let it control yours either. Take a deep breath, look around and be thankful for all you have!
Greetings! And Thank you! I hope you’ve enjoyed the “essays.” They came from my heart, but I struggle with the purpose. I still work a regular job and find it difficult to write at times. I’m not looking for fame as I was doing this for the youth of today (my son being one of them), but when you can’t give something away for free, you have to accept people are not going to buy. Many of the pieces I’ve posted were written over the past years, so a little tweaking was all each needed. This one though was from scratch. I’m finding (as I’ve been told) most already know what I write about. But based on the current state of our country I don’t see the knowledge base.
I know I’m not the smartest, nor most intellectual, but what I see going on around me doesn’t make sense if one understands the Constitution. They say: You can’t have it all. Yet, in a basic design, that’s exactly what the Constitution says. Yes, I’m being simplistic, but the jist is there. Life throws curveballs everyday. I have learned I cannot “direct the wind,” and yes, I guess that’s what I was trying to do. To get others to open their eyes. I’m also beginning to believe voting will change nothing. We’re on a set course, and “D,” “R,” or whatever, DC is not going to change. Here’s my conspiracy theory: there is a permanent state (not deep state) in DC. They control the sails, not Congress. God has me on a path, the outcome unknown. I truly believed the writing came from Him. Now though, not so certain. I can only walk the route hoping to discern the correct turns to take. Yes, He is the wind, I’m the sail, and His direction can at times be difficult at best. Regards!
I’ve lived the same history and like you, want so badly for our American dream to continue. I am saddened for our children because I have reached conclusions similar to yours. My solace is that ultimately, good prevails eventually, even if our country doesn’t. Rick, as brats, we’ve always been looking for our true home. It’s not in this world. Retire the pocket constitution and replace it with a pocket New Testament. Spoiler alert: God wins.
Greetings! I wish I could replace my pocket Constitution with the New Testament. It’s been a daily component to living, but even now I struggle with whether I should pick it up anymore. I’ve prayed to God for years only to have him through outcomes leave me standing alone fighting my battles singularly. Yes, my wife Barbara has been beside me, a gift from him. And my son is the greatest “accomplishment” of my life, and I know he would not have been possible if not for God and Barbara. Yet, here I stand, holding the bag He laid on me to sort through the rubble, God absent, questions unanswered. I thank you for your response. Life is short and every day more so. We have to accept God’s plan for our lives. Some are truly blessed, other’s, not so much. Regards!
Troubles are guaranteed in this world. “In this world, you will have troubles,” Jesus says. Yet he doesn’t end there, “But take heart, I have overcome the world!” Some things aren’t seen as blessings by the world (or by us), yet God uses them to drive us to himself. I may be the only person you know who has had to learn to walk 3 times in life — but God has been faithful to meet me in my distress. If we’re counting on ANYTHING other than Him (and most of us are)we still have learning to do. Barbara is a gift, your son is a gift, the next hour is a gift — all wholly unmerited. The next wise move is to know God more and love him more fully. That New Testament we spoke of is a map to that. God’s kingdom will outlive our beloved republic…and we see that shifting into place even now. We all need to ask ourselves what holds the highest place in our hearts and do constant course correction. It’s the thing that matters most. That’s where peace is found. Warm regards to you too, my brat friend and brother!
Nice picture of good neighbors
Aww, thank you!!
It saddens me that this will be your last one! Your words have brought insight, laughs, tears and memories. There’s a plaque in my house that reads “We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust the sails.” It has been used by various speakers throughout time. I believe it’s original entirety was “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”
~Thomas S. Monson
Yes, it’s hard to keep positivity in today’s times. There’s not much we can do about the insanity of todays political climate except VOTE! It will not control my well-being though. Don’t let it control yours either. Take a deep breath, look around and be thankful for all you have!
Avid Reader,
Greetings! And Thank you! I hope you’ve enjoyed the “essays.” They came from my heart, but I struggle with the purpose. I still work a regular job and find it difficult to write at times. I’m not looking for fame as I was doing this for the youth of today (my son being one of them), but when you can’t give something away for free, you have to accept people are not going to buy. Many of the pieces I’ve posted were written over the past years, so a little tweaking was all each needed. This one though was from scratch. I’m finding (as I’ve been told) most already know what I write about. But based on the current state of our country I don’t see the knowledge base.
I know I’m not the smartest, nor most intellectual, but what I see going on around me doesn’t make sense if one understands the Constitution. They say: You can’t have it all. Yet, in a basic design, that’s exactly what the Constitution says. Yes, I’m being simplistic, but the jist is there. Life throws curveballs everyday. I have learned I cannot “direct the wind,” and yes, I guess that’s what I was trying to do. To get others to open their eyes. I’m also beginning to believe voting will change nothing. We’re on a set course, and “D,” “R,” or whatever, DC is not going to change. Here’s my conspiracy theory: there is a permanent state (not deep state) in DC. They control the sails, not Congress. God has me on a path, the outcome unknown. I truly believed the writing came from Him. Now though, not so certain. I can only walk the route hoping to discern the correct turns to take. Yes, He is the wind, I’m the sail, and His direction can at times be difficult at best. Regards!