Hazy Days

                                                             Seattle Washington

Here in Washington State we are having a lot of smoke in the air. It is bothering my eyes a little but not as much as some other people. I have heard a lot of complaints on social media.

It is so bad that meteorologist’s on television and social media that the smoke is so bad that it is dangerous for a lot of people. For those who feeling really bad should go to their doctor or emergency to see how dangerous it is for them.

The smoke is coming from British Columbia where   forest fires are happening once again this year. It is the second year in a row where the fires have been really bad. Last year the fires happened near Williams Lake where my cousins live and they had to evacuate for a couple weeks. This time more west and east of Williams Lake well as north. Though we are being affected in the Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton and Gig Harbor by the smoke it is more so further north like near Bellingham and Lynden that are near the Canadian border. Showing a few pictures to so how bad it is below.

We should be all thankful for those who are first responders and medical professionals who can for our lives. They have chosen to use their life purpose to help others in such an extraordinary way.  Any time you meet one of the people please thank them for the jobs they are doing. This is the same way we hope others thank us for what we are doing as well. The more thankful for us all a better world we can live in.

                                                    Bellingham Washington Area

A Good Listener

I admit at times I am not a very good listener. While the other person is talking I am thinking what I am going to say next instead of paying attention to them.

It is important that we do listen to others. This is especially true if we want to help them. Actually listening to them helps them more than anything else.  People want others to hear what they have to say and that is enough sometimes. We can respond if necessary as well.

People will reach out to you because they know that you care and that you will listen to them. Listening makes the job very easy and we can learn a lot about the person that way.

Our response can be in a few words or even a hug or handshake depending on how comfortable they feel around us.

Every day I am getting better in listening to the other person. It does take time to become a good listener and even better if we have a good heart.

Often people look how we interact with others before approaching us. So not only the person you are listening to finds it important those around them as well.

When you respond back to what they have said give them your experience or it could be a nice smile. Often they have been waiting a long time for someone to talk to them and listen.

My dad was a very good listener. Unlike me he didn’t do a lot of talking however he gave words of wisdom and insight when he did. I believe there is not anything better than that.

It can take time to get good at being a listener however take baby steps at first and I am sure all things will turn out right. If you are a good listener right now then others are benefiting from your experience and we can all learn from you.

What Means To Us

Another thing is what means to us that are important. Usually that turns out to be our purpose in life.

Our hearts will stir us in the right direction for our purpose and destiny. It may take some time or the direction may change as well.

What are purposes today could be different tomorrow as well. Circumstances can dictate the purposes. It doesn’t mean that we will totally turn away from our overall purpose but for a period of time.

For example I am taking care of my mother. This purpose of course will last as long as she is alive or her health gets worse that I can’t help her any longer. She will be ninety-eight in five weeks and she is doing well for her age up to this point. Her memory isn’t always good but for her age it is pretty sharp. Often she doesn’t know the day of the week or time of day but she is able to do crossword puzzle and she plays bridge twice a week. She does sleep longer than she used to but that is probably expected as well. I now have to give her pills other words she wouldn’t know which ones to take or when.

I do have to do some planning since I don’t know how much longer she has to live. I am sure we all do when it comes to our purposes as well.

I believe to that our purposes will grow over time as well. This is especially true when we get toward retirement age. We have to figure what we will do with our time and who to spend it with. Often grandchildren play a part in our purposes as well. We may be asked to do things we never were ever asked to do before as well.

These purposes will make us become better people too. We will have the time to explore our purposes. In the meantime do what you feel means the most to you.

Building Yourself Up

When it comes to building yourself up it is for the benefit for all.

We all will be better people by building ourselves up. It is the purpose we have for others as well.

There are different ways to build ourselves up.

We need to build by staying healthy.

Have a strong spiritual life

Meditate daily

Letting others know how much they mean to us

Be friends to those who need to have friends

Laugh even when times are tough

Face the opposition. Not everyone is our friend.

Love our enemies. By doing so we might add a friend.

Search wherever you may go. You might find what you need to be built up.

Spend time with those who are building themselves up as well. You may learn from them and them from you.

Be smart in everything that you do.

These are a good place to start. I am sure we will find more for both us and those we run into.

What Are You Seeking?

In the gospel of Matthew in chapter six verse thirty-three it says to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and everything will be granted to you.

A question we all have to ask is what are we seeking above anything else. I am sure we all are seeking different things above the Kingdom of God. I know that I do at different times.

You read the verses before thirty-three Jesus ask why are you worried about what you wear or even eat. He will take care of you go after the Kingdom of God.

I know it is not an easy task. Every day I am trying to seek his Kingdom. Often other things distract me in doing so. Being human beings we have desires that are only temporary and we go after them anyway.

When I see other people wherever I go the thought of God is not on most people’s mind; for many just getting by is what they are trying to do but that is what Jesus said not to worry about those things.

So we should all seek after God. He is the one with the answers and he is the one that wants to take care of us because he loves us so much but we don’t look in his direction most of the time. Right now do what he says we might be surprised what may happen. Amen!

Enjoying This

I am sure all of you who having been reading my posts is enjoying it very much. I know every day I enjoy writing and posting to you.

This week my posts have doubled in reading so I know it is having an impact on others and I am so grateful to everyone.

I know the impact is not only helping others but is helping myself as well.  I go through the same troubles as everyone else does hoping the purposes in my life are a benefit to others well as me. 

Every day I think about what I am going to write here. Most of it comes about because of my daily journey. Not only what I experience but what I am learning in the process. This is what it is all about what we are learning about ourselves and others at the same time.

When I see and look at others I wonder what they are thinking and what kind of people they are. What benefit I can give to them at the same time what I can learn from them. It doesn’t have to be in words but by their actions as well. In the end what can we learn from each other that will make us better people.

Happy For Reunions

What I like this time of the year is to be able to go to reunions whether it is for school or any other reason. It is always nice to pick up where you left off the last time you saw any of these people even if it has been years and what their life is like now and to update yours as well.

This weekend I will be going to reunion of a church I attended for over twenty years that no longer exist any longer. There will be a few that will be attending that go to my current church as well but the majority I haven’t seen for a while.

It is sad when you here though that some can’t attend for one reason or another. Of course there is those who don’t want go to reunions at all which is a shame. My cousin Jimmy for many years didn’t go to any family reunions and now he attends as many as he can. He realized it was a mistake not going.

I have a second reunion in two weeks for my high school class. I have seen several of them in the last year or two however there are some I haven’t seen in many years or not since high school. It will be so good to catch up with them.

Although I have friends since high school there is nothing like those who knew you way back when. Also good to see where they have gone since high school and the families they have now.

So if you haven’t been to a reunion in a while I recommend that you go to one when the opportunity arises. Not only good to catch up but may be you will have a chance to start a new friendship with them. Remember that both of you have changed over the years. None of us are who we used be.  

Our Importance

I was reading in the local paper on Wednesday morning after knowing that I would write about importance.

Steve Smith Sr. who played many years in the NFL and now is on the NFL Network mentioned that he had dealt with depression and felt alone on many occasions. It shows to me no matter where we are at in this world we can deal with depression. Also we remember comedian Robin Williams’s committing suicide after dealing with depression as well.

I believe it is so important that we realize that we have importance in this world as well. We continually have to remember that we have a purpose in this life and a destiny to live out.

We not only have to remind ourselves of the fact but to remind others too. Being with people we care very much about will make things much better.

I know that I have to deal with depression especially when I am in a big group setting. I feel much better when I am in small groups though it doesn’t always work. The greatest thing to remember is that depression is always around. I don’t think we all deal with depression in the same way. There are those who have it because of mental illness but there are us that deal with it in other ways.

I have never taken medicine for depression and never plan too. Letting people in my life that can care for me is the solution I look for. This is a reason that I write this blog as well because the more I can lift each of you up I can do the same for me. Also important to set myself aside and spend time with God. Amen!

You’re Intent

When it comes to our purpose we need to have the right intensions as well. I am sure there are those who think their lives are the most important and everyone else has to honor or think well of them. While others believe that their purpose for the good of everyone; so we have to ask ourselves what is our intent when it comes to our purpose in life.

I figure now that I know my purpose in life it is to share with as many people as possible. I know that some people will listen while others will not and I am fine with that. Actually that is all anyone of us can do.

I know that some people will accept me the way I am while others will not. Actually that is how it always has been. I figure those who don’t accept me it is their loss. The reason is not because I am a great person but I do have something to offer for each one even if it is only a tiny piece.

I feel it is not what I say but what my actions are behind me. I believe people get more from what they see than what someone says. It has taken me a while to figure that out but I believe that is the truth.

So our true intensions should be just being ourselves and everything will out for the best. This is the reason for purpose in our life to give the best we can.

Being Faithful

When it comes to our purpose the main thing is to be faithful to those people we are around and spend time with like family and friends.

I find in these days it is getting harder and harder for people to do so. I amazed what the divorce rate is right now whether it is in the world or in the church. It is though the lives of others aren’t as important as they are. I understand when the other person isn’t faithful to you but still important to be faithful on your own right.

I know people use excuses like my life isn’t what it was once. Yes I know people change when they get older however we made promises as well that are expected to be until our lives end.

I believe not only are people not true to the other person they are not to themselves either. What I mean by that is the person wants life the way they want it and turns out different they decide it is time to move on. The big problem is when you have children not only the person you gave promises to are hurt so are those children. It is no wonder the world is so screwed up along with those in the church.

Another thing that amazes me these same people go into another relationship and often get married thinking it will work out fine this time. I wonder why people do this.  Anyway let being faithful to everyone including yourself be your trademark. You will be happier this way to.

Important to Relax

I have mentioned before we shouldn’t be serious here all the time. Of course I am here to encourage all of us to do what our purpose and calling in life is however we need to take time out to relax as well.

I figure though even when we are out and about relaxing when the opportunity arises to use our gifts and talents too. There is never a time out to care for others especially when they are in need. In fact I believe in the time of relaxation the opportunities to help others can happen more frequently because we aren’t into doing our stuff at the moment.

I wish you a wonderful week and that life is being kind to you. It is always nice to see others around the globe reading this blog. I always want to lift everyone up. Peace and amen!

A Leader

I have heard on several occasions primarily in sermons that we are all leaders even if the only person we lead is ourselves.

I know that some people don’t want to be leaders or they felt never could be one. I am one that felt that I could never be a leader however I have over time realized that isn’t true.

A leader may have another name like mentor or supervisor; if you are in charge of a group than you are a leader. I believe to that you are living out your purpose in life than you are a leader as well.

In the United States often people have trouble being a follower. Being a team player is hard to do. I believe it has to do with an independent spirit. It all goes back to the founding of the country. Many people are immigrants or their parents, or grandparent or even further back than that depending on how long their family has lived in the United States. Most came to the country because of how they were treated whether it had to do with religion or something else.

In the Bible it talks about the husband being the ruler or leader of his home. Over many years that function has been misused or abused. Also talks about women to be submissive to their husband. Another problem because of the misuse or abuse of submission; a husband or any leader should not rule with what I would call an iron fist. The Bible mentions to that the husband should love his wife as well. Sometimes I believe husbands forget this part. I think that some husbands believe in the wrong manner what being submissive by their wife. It doesn’t mean that you have the right to tell her what she has to do and talk negative about her. A husband and a wife are equals just someone has to be in charge or be the leader just like in a group, team, business or home. Things go much better when the leader or husband treats with respect or love. I have heard something else several times and that is a happy wife is a happy life; very profound and true at the same time.

At the same time a husband should not disrespect his wife it goes the other way as well. It is important that the wife doesn’t put down her husband either. My opinion a wife that submits to her husband and a husband that loves his wife everything should go well most of the time. Of course there will be times when they disagree but in the end they should come to an agreeable understanding.

So my advice to a leader is to treat those under you the same way that you want to be treated. Things will be done and completed in good fashion if done correctly. As a leader a function of the job if you want to call it that is to bring vision. I hope this helps everyone out.

Thinking Positive

I find it not the easiest thing to do however we need to think positive as much as we can.

I do have to admit it is a hard thing to do. I admire those who have been able to do so over a long period of time.

I believe that life is a lot better when we do think positive. It doesn’t mean that everything will turn out alright however it certainly helps.

I believe that God wants us to think positive because he wants us to meditate on the good things in life. It is good to go someplace that we feel comfortable at and wait on him. God is the one with the answers along with peace.

Psalm 23 says that he is our shepherd and that we can lay down by green pastures and leads us by quiet waters. Also he refreshes our soul even when we go into the darkest valleys. We don’t have to fear evil because he comforts us. He prepares a table for us in front of our enemies. Isn’t that wonderful words to hear especially when things are not going so well. These are positive words to mediate on. Go to the place that you feel comfortable at and lay your head down. Have joy that is beyond our own understanding. Amen!