Just a Thought....Helping Hands.

Just a Thought....Helping Hand. There comes a point in just about everyone's life that you need help. Whether it is getting a job, borrowing money, or needing a place to stay. We all need that boost to get us where we are going. Having our parents help us move to college. Using a friend as a reference to get a good job. Living with a friend or relative when you fall on hard times. I've seen people give to others without hesitation from truly the bottom of their hearts just because they what it is like to struggle and need help getting out a hole. I try to be that way and even though I don't have a lot to offer. Whatever I do have I try to give with an earnest heart. I know what it is like to struggle and have to seek help because you've made mistakes and are trying to work past the problems. So why do people act so smugly towards others who truly need help when they are in a bad situation. If someone is seeking the help of another, do you know how difficult it is to ask for help just because you know the shame and embarrassment that is placed upon you by those with whom you seek their assistance? Do you know how much grief that person had to accept just to swallow their pride and ask for help? It is never easy to ask. I know that by asking, we are placing ourselves in the direct line of judgment by our presumed lenders. I've been in the position of feeling like shit with my head hung low asking to be helped out of a situation. It sucks, you feel like a failure, you feel low and you just want to crawl in a dark room and cry for a few hours. But you have to take the help given, accept the terms and responsibility for your actions that put you in this situation in the first place. Find a way to get yourself out of the hole and start building a foundation in which you can stand. Build yourself up as high as you can so that hopefully, you have learned a lesson from your mistakes so that you will hopefully never end up back in that position again. Then you get in a position to help another who needs it. Remember the feelings you had when in the same position and try not to be that same person who judged you on your situation and not your character. Be better than the people before and remember that life can be hard. We all need that push and help. So be kind and help out those who can't always help themselves. Until tomorrow folks, this was....just a thought.

Just a Thought...Missing Our Loved Ones.

Just a Thought....Missing Our Loved Ones. Today I got the chance to celebrate the birthday of my mother-in-law just two days ahead of my own birthday. It was such a lovely day outside, perfect fall weather for a few fajitas on the grill and some birthday cake. Everyone sitting around and reminiscing about days gone by. Sharing stories of loved ones who are no longer with us on earth. It got me thinking about being a kid again and remembering my own father. It's been six years since he passed away. My son just celebrated his sixth birthday. He was only a few months old when my dad left us to go to heaven. It got me thinking about others who have had similar experiences. What sort of things me you think about someone they've lost, a dad, a mother, a sister, a brother, grandparents or a child. All gone too soon to illness, tragedy or just getting old. Life gives and life takes away. It is the natural order. The circle of life continues on no matter the circumstances. It doesn't mean we can't have feelings of nostalgia, a time to takes us back to remember wonderful memories. A birthday, wedding, birth, all-important memories that stick with us because of the importance of who was there to help share in such special moments. I was glad that I got to share a special moment tonight with family. These times always bring me back to the days of having big birthday parties with my brothers and sisters and having pops around. I miss my father very much and the one regret is that I didn't spend more time with him. I will regret that for the rest of my days and the only thing I can do is not repeat the same mistake twice. The lesson learned from this is to not take being with your loved ones for granted. One day they are here and the next they are not. Take advantage of living in the moment and being with those you care about no matter the petty circumstances that might be wedged between loved ones. This is dedicated to all those who have loved and lost someone special in their lives. It is okay to cry and remember how special those people were to you. What their absence has meant to you in the circle of everyday life. I love you Pops and miss you. So until tomorrow folks, this was...just a thought.

Just a Thought....3:33.

Just a Thought....3:33. I see this number so very often in my weekly life. I see it at least three to four times a week. I didn't notice it too much when I was younger but about six or seven years ago this number began appearing on my radar. First I would find it on my alarm clock at home. Then when I got a cell phone it would become more apparent. I can remember even punching in at work on my time card at that exact time. It never dawned on me that the universe was trying to tell me something. It was when I was having a small conversation with a fellow co-worker and I was punching out on the payroll app we use at work that 3:33 showed up. I mentioned to him if he ever sees that number? His response is no. So I decided to investigate this phenomenon further online. It turns out that no matter the website most have a consensus that it has something to do with divine guidance and having a guardian angel that is watching over me and guiding me to what I supposed to become in my life. I wonder if anyone out there has had a similar experience with a number or with another set of numbers? I know that this has to happen more often than not and probably just pure coincidence. But if you believe in the divine intervention than these numbers probably mean something in the grand scope of things. I am hoping that all I have read on the subject is true or hold some sort of truth. I would like to think that God is sending a message with what to do with my life. I would like to hear from anyone out there if they see these numbers and if it has actually played a roll in changing their lives or it is just a number on the clock and we want to something like these numbers to mean something special in our lives. So as I do some more writing on my novel tonight with is days away from completion. Wish me luck as I write tonight. So until tomorrow, this was....just a thought.

Just a Thought...Fighting Your Past.

Just a Thought...Fighting your past. One of the hardest things that I am learning to do as I journey on my quest to becoming the best person that I possibly can be is learning to let go of my past. The things that I am not proud to say that I once did as an ignorant, ill-humored person. I got my laughs at the expense of others not knowing how much it was degrading. I always focused on the shortcoming of others around me. I was rude, disrespectful and unruly to my employers and co-workers. Then one day just like Saul, when he was on his way to Damascus when the Lord called him to serve, I feel that in a way he has done that for me. I have always been a people pleaser which is a hard life to live. Constantly trying to make life easier for those around me, instead of me working to make it easier for myself. I got lost in who I was and what I was destined to become. I was a liar, a thief, and an unreliable friend. One day it just started to click, the words, the songs, the lessons were all starting to make sense. I could hear what he wanted me to hear for so long. Put your trust in me and I will provide everything you need. For so long I struggled with faith, with love, with life. I was living the definition of insanity. Have I moved past all my troubles, by no means but they don't ruin my outlook, because when he told me that he would provide. My worries went away. I still have to push myself to let him lead me down the path he wants me to go down. I am so used to driving myself that it took him to humble me to realize that he is in control and that if we're to become what he needs me to be, then I must relinquish myself to his will. I constantly pray for forgiveness for the acts of sin that I have committed in my past and forgiving myself is getting easier with each minute I spend in his presence. Am I complete? Far from it, but I am headed in the right direction. I go to war with my inner self every day to ignore the negativity inside and seek the right kind of positivity that helps can the world one minute at a time. One kind word, one kind act spreading hope and compassion. I am not totally where I think he wants me to be just yet but I know for a fact that I am not the person that I once was nor do I wish to be. The best thing you can do to find yourself hope and faith is to forgive yourself. It makes a world of difference. So tomorrow I have a busy day with my kiddo's birthday, so wish me luck. Until tomorrow, parting is such sweet sorrow and this was....just a thought.

Just a Thought....Saying Yes.

Just a Thought...Saying Yes. Tonight was a fun trip down memory lane. I went to go see Stone Temple Pilots, who happen to be one of my all-time favorite Rock Bands. Not to bog down on details but it wasn't the original lineup but the music was still awesome. It is like seeing Queen with Adam Lambert instead of Freddie Mercury. The songs are the same but the person belting out the notes is a bit different. Which isn't bad at all, it's just different. Anyways back to my point, I got invited by Leo Coldiron, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite people. I had to think about it for about a few minutes when my wife asked me if I wanted to go. I said yes because I am trying to open myself and broaden my horizons. In the past, I probably would have said no and used the excuse that I have too much to do this week because of my son's party. But in saying yes, I got a chance to go see a really good show and got to hang with Leo. Who by the way has a lot of cool stories about his musical past and his knowledge of rock music is superb. None of this would have happened had I been my old wet blanket self. I know that I will pay a price tomorrow because I get up at 4 am to go to work. But I would have rather the experience that I had tonight than being what I once was... an introvert. I want to get out and experience life and see what the universe has in store. None of that will happen from the couch in the living room. Plus it also gives me experiences that I can write about here on my blog and in turn I get to share my stories. It's later than usual that I am writing and posting my entry for tonight but someone put it to me this way about writing. A painter has to paint, a writer has to write and a musician has to play, they have to do this every day. To put in the time and effort in learning mastery of their craft is the only way that a true artist becomes successful. We all have the same amount of time in the day, it just depends on how we plan, use and manage our time accordingly. Sorry for the delay but I am sure that you will understand. So until tomorrow, this was....just a thought.

Just a Thought....Forgiveness.

Just a Thought...Forgiveness. I got to witness the true power of what it really means to forgive. I watched the brother of Bothan-Jean grow bigger than the moment. Not many people would have had the strength to forgive the person who murdered your brother. But this incredible man of faith walked pass the rules of man and walked into the realm of God. His heart must have been so filled with the holy spirit and I hope that one I can muster a tenth of what he has inside his heart. He wished this woman who took the life of an innocent man, his brother, the best for her. I trembled in awe at his courage and streams of tears ran down my face as I saw the power of God's grace flowed through this man as a conduit of God's everlasting love. He showed her mercy, he showed her love and only asked that she find the same kind of strength in Christ Jesus. Any good person with a heart must have felt the compassion in his voice and his actions. The embrace that they shared for that brief moment was the most powerful expression of God's truth that I have had the opportunity to bear witness to in my life. It showed the people of Dallas, The people of Texas and hopefully the world that forgiveness is the greatest tool that God has given us the power to use. The journey that his family must have been on these past few months must have been torture. Unless you live in the light of God's grace and walk the path of righteousness that he gives us the free will to do every day. If you truly believe in the power of God, it was on display for all to see. Just as God gave his only begotten Son to the world to cleanse us of our sins and break the veil so that we could be forgiven. He forgave us of sin just as Brandt Jean forgave Amber Guyger with total love and compassion. My only hope is that this display of God's mercy isn't lost on the world. That we as a society need to become better than we have become without prejudice, without hate and with forgiveness in our hearts. I know that things will not change overnight but hopefully, this is a step in the right direction. Life is precious and whenever an innocent life is taken from this world, no matter the sentence. Justice will never be served simply because a soul was taken from a family, a friend, a son, a brother. But if we all dig deep inside our souls we too can find the power to forgive those who have hurt us in the past. This is the ultimate example. It's never too late to be saved and accept God's gift of salvation. So tonight I pray for all of us to become better people. I bid you adieu and tell you that this was...just a thought.

Just a Thought....October.

Just a Thought...October. This is the month that I usually enjoy the most because it is my birth month and it just makes me happy that I have made it another year in one piece. This year I will turn a glorious 45 years of age and have loved the other 44 years prior because they helped make me and shape me in the future. The other reason that I usually love this month is the cool weather here in Texas. Normal highs are in the 80 's and there is always a nice cool breeze. I take my hoodies, my jackets, and windbreakers for this month. I break out the long sleeve shirt and thermal wear. For some strange reason here we are on the first day of Rocktober. That's right...it is called Rocktober because anyone who is anyone has a birthday in the month. Back to why I don't understand why this year is an anomaly due to the unseasonal weather conditions. It is again, October 1, and the high outside today was 93 degrees. I am not liking this extension of the summer into my fall time. I am done with heatwaves, sweating and the hot interior of my car. I want my cool weather already. It's the best time to sit on the porch and drink a nice cup of coffee, as the leaves fall from the trees. I have always remembered the weather being cool on my birthday. This might the first year that it will actually be in the high 80's, possibly. I don't mean to whine or seem crabby but I love the cool breeze of fall. The days get shorter and the nights are longer. You can grab your favorite hoodie and wear it all day because it is cool enough to have it on. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with the warm weather of summer but I am done. I need the cold to come and bring us a reason to wear sweaters, long socks, and turtlenecks. October will be special to me. It was also the month my son was born as well. The month of October has always been good to me. I guess which is why I have enjoyed its company. It is such a cool month that even Drake named his clothing line and numerous shout outs to his crew on his songs...OVO's (October's Very Own). I am not the only one who loves this month. Plus aside from Christmas, it has the coolest holiday of the year, Halloween. So hopefully tomorrow when I wake, I will have to endure one more day of this heat before the cool front comes in and fall is officially here. So until tomorrow friends....rock on into October and this was ...just a thought.