Kindness

Kindness goes a long way and many times we just need to put ourselves in others shoes and remember feelings. In this life we don't know what the next person has going on in their life, what they're battling, what demons they're trying to get rid, past hurts, and darkness in some areas of life... That's where kindness comes in- encouraging, understanding, empathy, speaking in LOVE. I can practice in the kindness category and I appreciate those who have demonstrated it throughout my life.

A Minute

It only takes a minute believe it or not...
How are you doing today?
How is life going?
How are the kids?
How's your spouse?
Is there anything I can pray for you about? (this one I fail 9.5 out of 10 to ask)
How is your family?

That didn't even take a minute to type, but ask one of these questions and you may be surprised how many people will open and be more receptive to share life... See I already know how I'm doing, but it's not about me all the time; so next time we talk or cross paths please expect one of the questions above from me.

Music

There are many times in life when I sit back and reminisce (to recollect and tell of past experiences or events) then speed up to now and think of one thing that has made this life of mine fun... Music. When this life is all over, the music will stop and I will exit this world. From TV shows, to music videos, to jingles, once that tune starts to play- if you're anything like me you would rewind (a push button or other control for reversing or reeling) to that specific moment and even the mood you were in when you listened... be it sad, happy, lonely, upset, angry, cheerful. As I am typing in this current moment, I am listening to music, and it's to drown out the distractions from around me keeping me focused. Music has a way... one of the ways it travels is to soothe the soul. From Aladdin, to the Sound of Music, to Mary Poppins, to The Lion King, to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to Anne, to Beauty and The Beast- the music leaves an audience with songs to last a lifetime. Music... who would of thought it, but I love you!

swallowed

Jonah 1:2-3

Arise, go to Nineveh that great city and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me. But Jonah arose to flee to Tarnish from the presence of the Lord.

Come on it's the Old Testament for goodness sakes!!!
-----

Bush sings a song

Swallowed sorrowed
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and yet not
I'm with everyone and yet
Just wanted to be myself
Hey you said that you would love to try some
Hey you said you would love to die some
In the middle of a world on a fishhook
You're the wave
You're the wave
You're the wave
---

Noah and Bush and I have something in common and it's the title of the blog: Swallowed

Noah was swallowed by a whale, Bush wrote the song, I live through it in my blog

So get to the point, right, don't mind if I do... I have in many instances taken powers into my own hand and instead of looking at the "playbook"... "instruction of life"... (the Bible) I listen to myself and to the world and as a result I have been living in a whale for quite some time, "In the middle of a world on a fishhook". The time it has taken to notice I have floated off to a desolate place has been evident by the lack of "fruit" that have come from my vines. Through it all, I have not screamed out for God, but he has heard me today.

Thank you 2009 for you have been the year of learning may great things. As 2010 approches I must till the ground, water, fertilize and produce "fruit".