Firing Lines

Being someone who wants to press on in my purpose and destiny it is important to know that I am on the firing lines. Other words there are or will be opposition to what I do.

If you are a Christian you know and believe in Satan or who some people call the devil. Even if you are not a Christian and want to do good things Satan will attack you or discourage you in what your purpose and destiny is. Often the reason it may take us a long time to figure out what our purpose and destiny is. Satan will put us in a vulnerable position to make us think that we don’t have a purpose or we won’t succeed if we do.

Often he will use other people to make us doubt what God has put in our hearts to do or we won’t succeed when we first try. This is why it is important that we press on even when success is not happening in our purposes. We have to live in our faith and continue on.  We may not have success when we first begin however we will after a period of time. Often our purpose takes experience.

We have to remember that not everyone is going to accept our purpose especially those who we are supposed to help. In fact they may be the hardest ones to accept us. The most important thing though we must remember it is not about us because our purpose is for others. We were created to make a difference in the world and it may take a lot of time for the world to recognize us.

Another thing is we have to accept others purpose and destiny. In the same we have one everyone has one although they may not recognize it!  So press on though the firing line may be hot for the moment in the end we will succeed for no other reason because of our destiny.  

Speaking Our Minds

In our lives it is important that we speak our minds however we have to be confident in ourselves.

People need to know what we stand for and it is confidence that will get us where we need to be.

To press on in our lives to be the best we can be a lot will be because of the confidence.

Helping to change lives has a lot to do with the confidence we have in ourselves and how we speak. The person who does this knows how to speak their minds and get it through to others.

It does take planning like so many other things to get the confidence in speaking along with experience. It can take years of experience usually for this to happen. I know that in my case I am way ahead of where I once was at and I know to that more time will have to happen to be where I would like to be as well however we do have to start somewhere to get where we want to be.

Write down what you would like to speak and rehearse many times over. It is like being an actor or someone who speaks in front of a group. The more we do it the better we will be at it.

Speaking our minds is more than just speaking the words if we really want others to receive our message.  In many ways it is like writing this blog where I have to continue doing so that I get better every day. I know that I will make mistakes but that is how we each learn. Remember to speak what you believe in no matter how many times you may fall in the process. You will be respected in the process. The world needs more people that are willing to speak their minds.

Short Spring?

This year has been unusual in the Pacific Northwest. More rain than I have ever seen before in my life.

The last few days it has been sunny with the temperatures in the seventies however rain is expected again for the next several days.

The rainfall has been nearly thirty inches and that doesn’t happen until October. At least the positive is that we did have sun for a few days.

The Pacific Northwest is a wonderful place to visit when the sun comes out. Hiking in the mountains and walking along so many waterfronts. My hometown of Gig Harbor is a wonderful place to walk along with other places like nearby Port Orchard.

                                                    Port Orchard Waterfront Park

 

 

I hope that the spring will not be short and that the sun will come out once again. The wind has been blowing a lot this year as well. It is nice and feels good when the sun is out however when it rains the opposite feeling occurs.  For us that have lived here a long time we are accustomed to the rain and wind to some degree but those who haven’t lived here long are having trouble with it. This year the rainy season being long has made it tiresome for us all. What we look forward to is the summer season. No place more beautiful than the Pacific Northwest during the summer. There are many shops to visit along with the trails where you can walk or ride a bike. No problem getting coffee or a smoothie too. Spring we look forward to more sunny days. We don’t want you to be short.

What’s Up Doc!

For millions of us over multiple generations there is nothing more positive and made us laugh during our childhood than the cartoons.

Bugs Bunny was one of my favorites especially hearing over and over again “What’s up Doc”. Of course another one was the Flintstones with Fred saying “Yabba daba doo” and Bam Bam with of course “Bam Bam”. There were many others like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.

Disney still continues many cartoons today along with animated movies. Parents enjoy them watching with their children on the big screen. Nothing more joyful than watching cartoons especially with so many negative distractions we have experienced over the years.

When I was a kid my family did not have cable television and we lived in front of a high hill so our television rotated frequently watching on a black and white television. We had a great time anyway though the rotation was distracting to some degree. We didn’t know any different along with only having three channels. What a difference when a young man knocked on the door offering to sell cable television. Of course my parents did not hesitate at having cable. Something new with many channels where the television did not rotate either and went out bought a color television set.

Getting our first television and then later color television along with getting another car were among my highlights growing up. In those days with technology being limited every occasion were happy moments. Today we often take them for granted.

Besides enjoying every good gift today remembering your childhood when you didn’t have them or they were not a high priority. Outside of watching a few programs every day I spent a lot of time outside. Everything seems so simple back then. I am sure children have their simple things as well though it is hard to believe.

Important to live each day however good to look back in time as well. Memories are so good when difficult times are happening. I hope that you are having a wonderful week. God bless you very much.

One Step at a Time

When it comes to our lives it is important to take one step at a time. We all have made mistakes in our lives however we must move on and forgive ourselves along with others.

Forgiveness is a power tool. It allows us to release stress and anger that we have against others. It is important thing for each of us to do. I am not saying that it is easy however doing so will make our lives must easier to cope. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we forget what happened in the situation we forgive and move on. Forgiveness allows us to heal as well.

Taking a step for us each day will make life much easier to deal with as well. We must learn from the past so we don’t repeat it. We must remember that yesterday is gone and now we are living a new day. Also don’t worry about tomorrow either. Today can be hard enough in itself than to go back or forward.

The trouble that is happening in our lives we can only take care of those we can today. I am speaking of those that we are aware of. Whatever comes up tomorrow we will take care of them then. All that we take care of today will make us freer and allow us to live in joy. We have the right to choose happiness in our lives. Remember that there will be new issues that may come today that we have to handle as well.

The importance of it all is to be able to help others who need assistance to walk one step at a time. Many people don’t realize that they are not taking the right step or they are using a cane to do so. Again we must choose the steps to take today. Worrying about things won’t change them either. The person you are meant to be can only happen when you allow distractions to go away. Enjoy each step that you take today.

Being a Winner

When it comes to our lives, purpose and destiny we need to think of ourselves as being a winner. This doesn’t mean we are perfect or better than anyone else we just are meant to win. Also we need to see others as winners too or at least on the road to become winners.

Growing up our mentality was that there were either winners or losers and often others would tell us that we were losers unless they were our best friends. Most of that had to do with jealousy or how children acted.

I know as a child I didn’t feel like a winner most of the time and I was not told that I was one either. At some point or another we would come across a bully or be one ourselves; I know the experienced of being bullied. Not very fun that is for sure. Bullying has become even a bigger issue now than when I was a kid. Of course now there is the internet and social media where people can really be mean and let others know it about you. They can lie to the world besides doing it to your face. My solution at the time was that I stood up to the bullies in my life. I believe still today that is a good solution as long as you don’t beat up the bully. You see most bullies I had experience with were very insecure in themselves. They intimidated because they were bigger than the other kids and they had other kids come along side of them. Depending where you live weapons can become part of bullying. I didn’t have to worry about weapons or at least I didn’t think about them anyway. In my time I didn’t think about going to anyone about me being bullied. I am not sure if I thought anyone could help me anyway. Now there seems to be more awareness and caring about bullying so I believe children can go to someone to help them even if they are not their parents. Of course many that are bullied may not feel that they can get help. So if you have children that in the age when bullying happens make them aware not to be part of the problem but the solution.

  Again as a child I played sports where there was a winner and a loser. Today the children being taught that there is no winners and losers. I am not sure whether that is good at all. I believe most kids know whether they are good at a sport or not even if scoring isn’t being taken. They need to be assured that they are winners whether on the playground or not. Emphasize what they are good at and minimize what they are not good at. For those that don’t have the natural ability in what they are trying to accomplish it will take extra work for them. It is important to know what is real and not stay away from it. Like me some kids may take a while to get where they are in their gifts and talents. Help and encourage them. This can go for adults as well. We are all winners or at least on the road to becoming one.

Lifting Each Other Up

We all go through things almost on a daily basis. Life isn’t fair a good part of the time so it is important that we lift each other up.

It doesn’t what form it is whether it is in prayer or saying a kind word.  The effort along with caring is what the most important thing.

Yesterday talking on the phone with my brother Jack he mentioned that his daughter-in-law Helen lost her grandfather last Monday. She had a tough week because my nephew Ian her husband was out of town on business and no one close to comfort her. The death of her grandfather was expected but it still hurts no matter what.

Often people will say that they understand when someone loses a relative or a close friend. I believe no matter who you lose in this life saying the words I understand is not what to say. Everyone has their way of dealing with death and grief. I lost my older brother Dick and my father one year apart almost to the day. In fact when my dad died I was just over my grief for Dick. You see Dick was in his upper 30’s when he died so it hit our family hard however how I felt was different than Jack and my sister Barb not saying how my mother and father felt at the time.  Others have lost a brother and parents but doesn’t mean we feel the same way though circumstances are the same. The best thing we can do is comfort and love the person who is going through tragedy in their life. If I spoke any words to someone would be that I am with them and if they need anything let me know.

I believe this is good advice for anyone who needs help no matter what the circumstances they are going through. We can pray and comfort them. If you are going through something right now let you know that my thoughts are with you and that God loves you. He is the comforter that you need. Amen!

A Small World

We all have used the saying “What a small world” when meeting or seeing someone that we have known or related to someone we know. Well this happened yesterday for my mother and I.

My mother asked me to take her to someplace that she could have her nails done. I have seen a place that is nearby the coffee shop I go to a lot. I heard they had a good reputation for doing nails so I took her there to have them done.  I sat next to a woman who was getting her nails done. I was on the right of her while my sat next to her on the left. Mother ended up mentioning that she was ninety-six years old. The woman said to the young woman doing her nails “isn’t she amazing to be ninety-six years old”. The young woman replied “yes”.

The woman and I talked for several minutes about various things including the storm from the night before. Eventually in our talking she realized that I grew up in Gig Harbor. I answered her question that I did graduate from Peninsula High School. She told me that she went to Wilson High School in Tacoma.  I said that is funny because my mother taught French and German at Wilson. She asked me what our last name is. I told her it is Nightingale. She responded with excitement that she had my mother for French. She turned to my mother saying “Mrs. Nightingale” and my mother said “yes” I had you for French was what was next out of the mouth of the woman. Oh yes by the way her name is Chris. Also she was on the swim team at Wilson. My mother was the swim coach as well.  Chris then said “I have to text message Debbie my best friend who took French and swam as well. She will be surprised that I met you. Also tell some others that had you for French as well.”  Chris finished up her nails and said she was going. I replied “a very small world we live in”. She said “yes indeed.” She looked back to my mother and said “I hope we see each other here again real soon”.

We can never plan anything like that. It was our destiny to meet and saying once again what a small world we live in.

Weather Show

                                                Way to go Seattle Washington

I have mentioned a few times the wet weather we had during the rainy season of October through April. We had record rainfall this year.

On Wednesday May 3 the temperatures raised into the seventies here in Western Washington; a bit unusual but has happened before. On Thursday morning I went out for my daily walk this time taking off my jacket for the first in a while. It felt so good to be able to do something different and at the same time thinking about all the wonderful places someone could walk in the area. Every town, city and waterfront in the area have great places to walk and enjoy the sights along with the exercise.

Late Thursday around 5pm things turned once again. I am sure there were those who were out working in their garden, walking, running or driving when a rain storm happened along with thunder and lightning that I have never seen before and  depending where you were at it lasted ten to thirty minutes giving off a good show.

I was relaxing at home eating dinner when this natural firework went off. I had a meeting go to an hour which I was glad the storm was over by then. We ended up having only three of us showing for the meeting. I know it had to do with the storm. I am sure there were those who didn’t want to leave their homes or were stuck in traffic. So the meeting was short and will be rescheduled.

Anyway I had never seen a storm like this before though it was brief. Not only there was rain, wind, thunder and lightning the water was rolling down the street in a manner that I had never seen before all the years that I have lived here. Of course it has been an odd year for the weather so what else should I expect anyway. I am sure to that I won’t see something like that again. Famous last words right!

Friday along with the rest of the month of May they are forecasting more thunderstorms. Unusual for sure since we don’t get a lot of storms like this where other places do.  May averages about an inch of rain a year. We have had that already this year. The rainy season is over but I expect more than usual this year. It will be interesting to see how the weather goes this year. July and August are the hottest months of the year with little rain however this could be something different this time. Want to visit us here in the great Northwest the time of the year is coming up to see. So many different things you can do along with great sights. I know that I will be looking forward to it like every year. No rain would be nice since we already have had more than enough. If you need some we would be more than glad to pass it your way. Have a wonderful weekend where you are at.

Believe in Ourselves

To be able to fulfill our purpose and destiny we must believe in ourselves.  This begins with knowing who we are truly are. It doesn’t mean we have to think of ourselves higher than we ought to but to know who we are meant to be.

I have mentioned that often we have been lied to even as a young child that we aren’t a good person. Whether is done by our peers or adults we are special people not what we have been told negatively.

We are blessed if our parents and others close to us that we are special and loved. This is where it all begins. We must know that we are loved. Being loved is the first step to become who we are meant to be while at the same time we are told otherwise than we are away from whom we are meant to be.

Tell yourself over and over again that you are loved. At least you are loved by God and yourself no matter what others may say or think. There can be things in your way that keeps you from your destiny and purpose right now but doesn’t mean that you will forever not be able to accomplish them. If you know what gifts and talents you have make sure that you use them to the fullest despite the odds may be.

The best thing is that you are able to get the best out of other people too. People are the best asset that you have. Jump for joy and be at peace with yourself. You are blessed because you love yourself. No one can love you as much as you love yourself except God. The most important thing is not to compare yourself with anyone else because you are the best and no one is as unique as you are. Remember this all the time no matter what happens.

Being Changed

When it comes to pressing on we have to realize that change has to be part of the process. I am speaking about change within us.

Most of us don’t like change in any form whether it is moving somewhere else or change in us. The important thing is that we continue to evolve as people. We are not perfect people so we need to look to become better people. It doesn’t mean that we get rid of what makes us who we truly are but making us even better.

When we were born God created us to be a unique individual however other people and circumstances put us in a position not be that person we were intended to be. Other people whether our parents, other adults like teachers and our peers would say something about us that wasn’t true. What God made us to be unique is a major part of our purpose and destiny however others didn’t want us to accomplish them for all sorts of reasons. It could be that they were jealous what the purpose of our lives was meant to be.

Now we have discovered or in some cases discovering who we are that the purpose and destiny can be fulfilled in our lives. As a young child for me it came to pass that I came down with a hearing problem and I could not hear properly for a short period of time but that time took me a while to be able to read right and understand the English language correctly. When I got my hearing corrected I did a lot of talking and my teachers especially told me to be quiet. I understand now why but I didn’t at the time. Although there was no name for it back then I am sure that I had attention deficit that may occurred because of my hearing.

Now I know that there is a lot more to the story than my hearing and talking. The truth is that my purpose and destiny is to speak and write people to encourage them to be the best that they can be. Not only can I be a person of destiny so can everyone else. So you see I am changing and evolving into the person that I was meant to be when I was born despite what others may have said and tried to stop me.

I know that I have a ways to go but I do know to that the real me is coming along each and every day. Take the talents and gifts that God has given you. Be the person that he intended you to be regardless what others may have said to you from your young age. This doesn’t mean that you are greater than anyone else but you are living the life God wanted you to in your unique way. God bless you and Amen!

I Don’t Understand

                                               Violent Protestors in Seattle Washington

I used to enjoy May Day with those who like putting flowers out and a parade. Now things have changed where there is protesting going on. I don’t mind protesting because it is constitutional if it is done peacefully however here in the Pacific Northwest there is hatred and violence.

During the day time the marches seemed to be peaceful in most cases however when the time gets into the evening this is when the violence starts happening. The three major places for the violence were in Seattle and Olympia Washington (the state capital) along with Portland Oregon. Actually Portland was the most violent where at least twenty-five people were arrested. I am not sure about Seattle and Olympia because there were no reports of arrests. In Olympia there were smashing and throwing damaging windows of businesses. It doesn’t make any sense to me because nothing was really stated what the protesting was about. Last year people came into Seattle from outside of the state to do the protesting and I am sure this year no different. I watched a little of the protesting through video on social media by one of the local TV stations. I saw what was happening with the throwing in Olympia. Those doing the action were wearing black masks and clothing so they could not be recognized. Sounds pretty chicken to me at the very least anyway and there were several young people that were recognizable who were videotaping on their smart phones. They were walking and not being involved in the damaging just showing those who were do it.

Although peaceful protesting is constitutional I am more into being someone who wants to give myself to a cause and not protesting what I don’t believe in. Other words speak up for my beliefs. The best way I see it is encouraging others in love and peace not hatred.

The United States of America is not perfect however I see it still a great nation.   I don’t really understand what these people were protesting. In my mind change the world in your way or go somewhere else. In the mean time I will do the best I can do. I hope that you feel the same.  

Homegrown

                                                   Hometown of Gig Harbor Washington

More often than not these days I am talking to those that are new to the area and my hometown. They find it interesting that I have lived here most of my life. Like many places things have changed. Primarily the population has increased. A lot more homes have been added. What I don’t like is that in the north Gig Harbor area they have cleared cut a lot of trees and added many homes for families and senior housing.  The clear cutting has made each of the homes sitting next to each other. Living in one of the homes you can take one step into the neighbor’s yard. Not one tree is located in any of the homes. Not very appealing as far as I am concerned and there is no view other than the other homes.

Most of the developments that have been built in the Gig Harbor area in the past have a lot of trees still standing. So much that it is hard to know how many homes there are in the area. The only way that I can tell is driving through the neighborhood of the development.

I still love my home town of Gig Harbor and never planning to move although I would love to travel to other places especially visiting family and friends. I hope any further developments in the area will have better planning. I hope the developer for the north Gig Harbor area will see how awful it looks and starts adding back some trees and allowing backyards.

I enjoy talking to new people to the area especially about what Gig Harbor was like when I was a child. At that time there was only one stop sign in Gig Harbor along with a couple shopping centers. Now there is like six shopping centers and another being built. Also to travel into Gig Harbor there was one Tacoma Narrows Bridge up to about nine years ago when a second bridge was added because of the traffic; after the second bridge was built when two additional shopping centers were added. Now you don’t have to go into Tacoma to do most of your shopping like had to do before.

I was talking to a woman who now lives in Gig Harbor however she grew up in Enumclaw where her mother still lives. Enumclaw is east of Tacoma and is about thirty miles from Gig Harbor. It has been a while since I visited Enumclaw however it was a small town that included a lot of farms when I was growing up. Like Gig Harbor it is still a small town however has grown a lot in population as well. Many people have moved into a lot of the small towns in this area; many coming from California and other states. A lot of these people have moved in because of companies like Microsoft and Amazon. With the new money Seattle has become an expensive place to live. Seattle is among the top ten cities in the country as far as renting. Many of the new people have moved into the suburbs where the cost is less. Gig Harbor you can find homes from being inexpensive to up over a million dollars. Many of the homes in my old neighborhood are in the million dollar range.  It is still a nice area to live and for the kids to enjoy one another. Although the town is larger than when I was growing up it still has the country feeling to it. At least for now anyway.

I prefer the times I was growing up here where you didn’t have to worry about your kids. Now the parents are waiting for the school buses for the children to get on. I don’t blame the parents because it is hard to know how safe it is. Gig Harbor is still a good place to live however I like the good old days. I am sure many adults feel the same way about their towns.