Thinking Out Loud

Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees... we see only the faults of others and assume that their downfall is their fault and tell ourselves that we are not responsible for anyone else except ourselves. There does not seem to be anything we can do about other people anyway... but is there? After we back off, get on our high horses and start blaming, shaming, and naming we soon discover that we do not have to be so selfish as to pull someone else down. We see that each of us has his/her own path to follow, own cross to bear, own ax to grind, nail to hammer, sea to swim, own row to hoe, etc.

Instead of crying, begging, and praying to God... for he already knows our thoughts, and all the details & facts of each situation... and tells us he will answer before we call... we start to see the big picture, and become aware that it is time to flip the script... instead of begrudging others, envying their successes, tearing each other down, pointing fingers, throwing someone else under the bus, making fun of anyone, and/or discussing why others have fallen by the wayside... we could give them some of our motivation, inspiration, as we lend ourselves to them, to lift them up, and by doing so we too are lifted to a higher level.

That is the only way we will ever get out of this rut that we have all got stuck in and there seems to be no one coming as quickly as we want them to help us out. So we keep on spinning our wheels, which only dig us deeper down and some even go on to their graves. Soon we find that by surrendering, we ourselves start to understand how we can become better people, and begin to live peacefully with everyone, from the poorest to the richest and everyone in between no matter if they are living locally, in a city, a state or any nation around the world... and/or the universe.

The key to all this progressiveness is within each one of us my friend and is the answer to the freedom, liberty, and justice we all seek. It is free, and it is possible, and it is who we all are as individuals, and it is the basic reality of all humanity throughout all the generations and regenerations and life cycles forever and ever.

Love one another, embrace differences, and the next time you ride a bus, move on back to the back seat - that way you get to feel the bounce of the humps in the road and see everyone going forward. Best place to be. Also, if you ever get the chance to be in front, I hope you speak up and do it with all your heart because you will make the impression on those who hear you... and will be their leader for a day... and then only for a day... it is on you to lead them in the way you were taught by all those who loved & raised you.

If someone falsely accuses, threatens to harm you in any way, either physically/mentally/emotionally/financially/spiritually, and/or does anything inappropriate to deliberately hurt you, cause you or other harm, always know God loves you and will help you through. Always go into the silence to hear his voice. Most usually the answers come in the mornings. If it is a case that will need to involve others, say something, create awareness, find out how to get help from outside resources like the authorities, therapist, counselors, school administrators, clergymen/women, family, friends, and most importantly, if you are underage, talk to your parents... if they are kind, honest caring people.

No one needs to suffer through this world without at least one person who will stand up for them and know that God always protects and guides us every step of the way. He goes before us and that my friend gives us hope, and the FAITH that moves mountains, helps us over stumbling blocks and removes barriers we face all along this rough and rocky road, or the paved and straight highways... no matter who you are or where you go, you will never go alone.

When we realize how many times we have accepted too many unacceptable things, without going the extra mile to be there for others, we feel regretful. We recall everyone who has taken it upon themselves to go the extra mile for us, and we always hope they were aware of how much we were/are so grateful. Each morning, we get another chance, a new adventure and we are all a work in progress from the day we are born until the day we die. Keep the circle of love going, and lighten the burdens of others so that the load won't be so heavy for any one of us... this is the teachings of Jesus, as well as all other prophets, and sages that were sent to show us the right way to live, over and over again.

The following is a list of items that I have recently worked out after feeling the great need to do a self-analysis and reconciliation with myself and everyone over the course of my lifetime. This, in hopes, to discover the way back into God's good graces as I come gently face to face with the reality that I have broken many of the Universal and Natural Laws of cause and effect. Even when I do my best, I keep slipping up, and that's why I am so very thankful that we have the promise of forgiveness... and receive grace and mercy on our souls. I have no excuses for myself or anyone else... and if I make excuses, or complain, as we all do, and only brings more difficulties.

So many have fallen, and many are still down, although no one can reinvent the past, nor can anyone person save the world, except the son of God who already took all our sins we cannot continue to throw stones or blame anyone else for anything, nor should we recall all the times that we played the evil parts in this thing called life. No one can ever be any better than they are now, and sometimes they can even get worse. All we have is right NOW, and there is no better time to get started than today, and no time in history have we ever had so many opportunities to grow as we do at this very moment.

I will be the first to admit, I have been a little crooked... but we were made to bend, and who can stay on that straight and narrow without getting a little too above others. All have sinned, can be forgiven over and over again. We must speak up for God, others, and then ourselves while we are above ground. We must first seek the kingdom, and when we find it, we also have to clean up our own backyards.

1. the Lord told me to maintain self-discipline and to keep my own behavior at peace with others and under control, instead, I let my angry words rage against others, forced head-on without consulting or respecting the natural and universal laws that rule the hearts and souls of all mankind, such as virtue, prudence, wisdom, Mother Nature, and God himself.

2. the Lord told me to be generous, instead, I held on to possessions, money, and was selfishly storing up things that should have been donated/given to help those less fortunate

3. the Lord told me to hold my unruly tongue, instead, I poured out mouthfuls of complaints, which were laced with words of self-pity and extremely bitter, prideful, scornful, arrogant words, boasted continuously about my accomplishments and good deeds, and worst of all, harbored ill thoughts and feeling about others, as well as joined in with others speaking carelessly and talking incessantly to contribute to the God forbidden gossip

4. the Lord told me to be gentle, kind, loving, honest, and clear-minded, instead, I lost my self-control and blamed everyone but myself, cried sorrowfully with self-pity, and brought up many past mistakes

5. the Lord told me to sing a new song, instead, I kept silent, ignored the words, and could not compose a musical note

6. the Lord told me to dance, instead, my feet stumbled, I lost my balance, and keep the rhythm

7. the Lord told me to forgive and forget, instead, I harbored ill will and waited for God to take vengeance on those who had neglected, mistreated, or denied love to the specific family & friends that were the dearest to my own heart without considering the big picture

May God help us all face ourselves, come clean, and be the person we were born to be.

Scriptures to references from the New Testament: "1 John 2:3-6 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. Galatians 5:16-25 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."