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As I was journaling today, I noted a slight change in my approach.

Usually, I grab my pen and begin to feverishly record any thoughts that come to mind.  Each thought starts a new paragraph. 

Lately I’ve been moving to the new paragraph quickly – before I even finish the thought I’m currently recording.  The reason has been that I will forget what I is emerging in my brain if I don’t write it down.

And that has often been true.  I’ve tried to go back and recall a thought, but somehow my memory recall has been lacking.  Soon you become anxious that you might miss something.  For that reason, you move one quickly.

This last while my brain has been much more stable.  I actually can hold a thought, with good memory retention, for a few minutes.  That means that I finish my original paragraph – with all that is included in that – before moving on.

What a relief!  If any one reads my journals in years to come, they might even be able to figure out what I was thinking!!  If fact, if I ever right my own memoirs, I might be able to figure out what I was up to!

Yesterday I had the great opportunity to ride with a friend whom I had not spent much time with in the last while.

As we travelled, we talked.  Good look over our lives in the last while.  Our travels, emotions, and life in general.  Then one of us asked – so is there anything else we haven’t talked about yet?

Of course, there were a thousand things.  But we had covered the bases in the catch up mode.  And then, there was the exploratory mode.  Where we begin to challenge each other, or expose our thoughts and dreams.  I suppose most discussions have that type of progression. 

Most coffee shop discussions are on the catch up level.  That’s where we become jealous of the regulars who meet once a week.  You know the talk begins on the surface, but soon they have solved the world’s problems and know each other’s schedules and somehow have an innate ability to support each other.

Find a coffee group – not a bad thing in life.

As we approach Canadian Thanksgiving, I have been preparing to speak on the matter of gratitude.

I appreciate those around me who have taken a stand that they will begin the day with thanksgiving. Others are conscious that negative and destructive actions, words and thoughts are not a good thing for themselves or for those who surround them.

I suggested this past Sunday that we take an “Anti-Complaint” day as we work through the Thanksgiving weekend.  I’ve been trying a little practice this week and just getting through a short time period requires real intentionality – let alone a full day.  Maybe I”m not as thankful as I could be?

I also referred to the French words for Thanksgiving day.  They talk of a day that looks at the actions of grace.  As well, you are encouraged to give actions of grace to others.

Both approaches to Thanksgiving tune us into the heart of gratitude.  We have been given much and we need to give much. 

May you find an attitude of gratitude welling up within you this week.

Today I have been studying the Bible book of First John.  This was one of three letters that he wrote (the other two are much shorter – this one goes on and on for a few pages!).

I have noticed as I am reading, that John seems to be talking a lot about being righteous.  The Greek word (the language the New Testament of the Bible was written in) for practicing righteousness is paired with loving one another (I John 3:10). 

I know that I used to tell my children to always “do what is right”.  Often that just meant, “follow my rules.”  Of course, the implication is that I have a solid foundation in understanding what is right and wrong. 

For many of us, that foundation has been cemented in the idea of doing what our society considers to be the most honorable thing to do (and that is most often codified in our laws).  When societal norms change we adjust our idea of righteousness.

Which is where a Christian finds the most struggle.  The honorable thing for us is not expected to change.  John puts down the foundation that loving one another is righteousness.  Jesus answers the question of the laws that codify the honorable thing to do by saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” and “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

Where does that lead?  Of course, that is the big question.  It does not lead to selfishness, accumulation for our own sake, stealing and lying, adultery, slander, malice, and a whole bunch of other behaviours that degrade others, disregarding others as made in the image of God.  I wonder if it also has to do with manners, and chivalry and other proactive approaches to enhancing others’ lives? 

Some of my meandering thoughts for the day!