Yearly Archives: 2015

Today I was trimming my beard. 

This is a new activity for me.  I notice things as I peer into the mirror.  Particularly that the hair on one side of my head is straight.  On the other side the fulness of the follicles is noticeable (OK, I used the alliteration for emphasis, even though the strict word definition doesn’t quite hold up the illustration – if you get this, welcome to the geek world of grammar and lexicography!).

I mentioned this to my wife.  Something about how one side made me look much younger than the other.

She made the point – somewhat nicely.

“You’re still old.  Doesn’t matter which side you look at!”

Clocking the moments can be helpful.  As each second ticks by we have an opportunity to move in a direction we desire.  Or not!

The thing about close examination of each step is that we can become discouraged with our own progress, realizing we have no other path to explore – our rut is so deep we need help to see another side.

That’s where small steps become important.  If we could just climb a little bit up the wall of our ruts, we might arise enough to see another path.  If we could just invite another to walk with us whose sightline is greater than ours, we might be encouraged with hope.

When we become obsessed with the realization of how wrong things are going, we can become as obsessed with measuring how wrong things are going.  We may not know how to change things, but somehow we figure if we know how wrong things are, that will lead us to the next step.

Not so.  Measurement is best used when there is a direction we are headed.  When we are not experiencing a new direction or guidance, constant measurement merely plunges us into despair. 

A good argument for finding a companion who can be our director or guide!  These people can be live and living but even dead guys can be helpful.

Set your steps today to find or strengthen your direction!

Yesterday was an opportunity not often afforded to me.  I met with a friend from a few years ago.  We talked of the varied paths we have both taken.

A theme continued to run through the conversation.  As we age, we have taken bits and pieces of others thoughts, actions and opinions.  For better or worse, our own lives have been a copy of the original – in fact, we could often be seen as mere footnotes of another.

Now we are both looking for our own voices.  We desire to be original for the sake of others.  There is a contribution that each of us has to this world.  Big or small, in the spotlight or in a dim light, we are models as well.

There is a bridge that is crossed (perhaps more than once) when we realize God has gifted us for the sake of others.  We cross from knowledge seekers to wisdom givers.  Not for our own sake, but for the sake of others.

Our voice rings in harmony with others, but we also solo – a glorious voice for God’s kingdom and all who dwell therein.

Well, I wore a Holtor monitor for 24 hours.  I’m about to have the wires released from my body.  My heart feels fine.

I guess that’s why we monitor and test and check things out.  I’m trusting the return of the monitor will show that my heart is in good shape.

A way to check life (before death) is a good thing.  Diagnosis for illness is helpful and if we find that we are normal . . . all the better.