Lazy Sunday?

Hey Kids,

What should’ve been a lazy Sunday turned out to a little busy.

We slept in a little following a late night on Saturday, but we were still up and going by 10.

Hit Walmart to get groceries and supplies for today and looking towards the upcoming week.

Changed the brakes on the 4Runner. One side was enough to make me have to repent for my language; the other side so easy, I felt embarrassed for the difficulty of the first side.

Super Blood Moon

Super Blood Moon

I split for a Birthday dinner for my niece. Good times and saw most of my sister’s family and a number of their kids. I find it hard to believe that I’m the old great uncle already.

Headed over to the other birthday activity for my sweetie’s oldest son. It was a party/craft night to prepare decorations for his upcoming wedding.

Oh, and the lunar eclipse happened tonight too. I remember the last one back in 1982 but this one, minus the annoying intruding clouds, seemed a little more spectacular. I have no camera that could capture it properly so I’ll default to an internet image. 

And now all focus will shift to our own wedding in just 6 days. This will be a busy week.

 

Day 216

People Time

Hey Kids,

I have a deadline running up on me.

June 28th is the date to release the second book of the Porter Rockwell Series. It may be self-imposed but it still remains important. I have so much work to do. I wonder if I’ll really make it.

I’m not complaining. I love doing it. And I love the pressure. But today I had to let it go. I took this afternoon off and spent it with my brother instead. We had dinner, talked, and hung out.4564135255_23e3aee2ac211211211111111111111111111111111111121111111111

Did I make any progress on the book? Not directly, but I feel refreshed and ready to get after it tomorrow. In return, I can now expect his help; I’ll need the encouragement and the support when I hole away later.

Special people in our lives are worth our time. They’re worth pushing ourselves a little harder because we spent time with them. They’re worth being in our lives.

Goals are great, but so are people.

 

Day 73

What’s the Point?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWhat’s the point?

To climb a mountain. Why?

To exercise? What for?

To work hard? For what?

To deal with life? To what end?

When it comes down to it, there really is no answer that works for everyone. And there’s really no reason at all to push yourself. In fact, life would that you don’t. Don’t believe me?

Tell someone you’re on a diet. See how long before you’re told that it won’t work, or you’re not doing it right; not giving up enough stuff, eating the wrong things.

Start a new exercise program. You won’t be doing it long enough, at the wrong time of the day, or you’ll hear some story about someone who, despite being fit, died at a young age.

Set a goal. It’ll be too high, or too low.

Write something. You spelled it wrong or you’ll be told how they should do it too, you know since writing is so easy- a monkey can do it.

You see, no one wants to see you do something out of the ordinary or accomplish something.

I don’t think it’s always mean, but it’s discouraging. And ultimately, the naysayers are right.

There’s always a better way to diet and exercise. There’s always a taller mountain. There’s always someone who worked less and got more. There’s always a better way, someone more accomplished, or a threat of failure and total humiliation.

So what’s the point?

What is it? You know what makes you feel good. You know whether a challenge is rewarding to struggle for. You’re the one that has to tough it out; do the work. You’re the one that has to live with the results.

Don’t let perfection stop you. Go for it. For you. For your reasons. Climb your mountains, set your goals, do what you want to do and do it because you want to. Just be prepared to be asked, “Why? What’s the point?”

You don’t owe anyone an answer, but if you don’t know, ain’t no one going to be able to explain it to you.

The (A) Meaning of Christmas

Christmas, for me, is all about tonight and early tomorrow morning. The culmination of all the festivities, the lights, the trees, the goodies, the songs, and the whole crazy month of December and then some, bringing us to the one night when we all get together, make the phone calls, and think of those who are dear to us. The family and friends gathered together in a family room, exchanging gifts and sharing a joyful time is what it’s all about. Yes there are rough patches in getting so much family together, but there always is. On Christmas Eve, it’s just fun.

I know Jesus fits in the middle of this as Christmas, remembering the greatest gift of God to us all. It saddens me, however, when that thought is used as a stick to make people guilty to be excited about the candy n the stocking and the gift shopping and wrapping. Let’s be honest, most of the things we deem “tradional Christmas” has absolutely nothing to do with Luke 2.

Don’t get me wrong, I love taking my own personal moments, usually during a rendition of “Oh Holy Night” and think of the bigger picture. Of Grace. Of miracles. Of God. I cherish those moments. But Tonight, its about the presents. It’s about the ones around me. It’s about thinking of those who are not. It’s a time to laugh together. To hug. To kiss under the pagan mistletoe and feel and share the love of others.

Jesus is invited too. But not at the exclusion of everything else. It doesn’t have to be a black and white thing. Christmas is a time for all of it.

With that Have a very Merry Christmas Eve!