Kids Will Be Kids

It has been a long time since I was a kid however when I see them today things hasn’t changed a whole lot on how they act. I have heard that young people feel more entitled today than ever before. I am not sure if that is true or not. Most of the young people I know seem to be good to me to some degree anyway.

 I do know that parents have changed in some ways over the years. When it comes to sports the parents seem to want live through their kids. I am glad most parents in my day didn’t act like many do today. They want the kids to have everything and feel that they will make the pro-leagues after going to college. I heard that from a former college basketball coach that both the kids and the parents think that they will go right into the NBA. He said that still today ninety-nine percent will not make it and they along with parents will be very disappointed.

I do see some good kids even are being spoiled by their parents. They can have anything they want and the parents will make sure that happens. Another thing is most kids are not disciplined these days. Of course it is a lot harder to discipline kids like it used to be. I am not sure it is good to go back to what happened to some kids years ago when it came to giving hits with a paddle however looking back I wish that I had been more disciplined by my parents. I don’t think using a paddle is a bad thing long as the parents are not abusive. Of course these days what is the definition of abusive though? If you are a parent that has to take your child to the hospital and you tell the authorities that your child is falling down stairs or some other excuse like that then you have gone too far. There could be truth to that in some cases however it is important to explain how that happens then just saying falling down stairs.

I am not saying discipline has to be necessary because I believe it depends on the child and the parents need to know how far they can go when disciplining them. Personally if I were a parent I would start out putting my child in a time out chair to begin with to see how that works. It is important that under all circumstances that your child knows that you love them but what they are doing won’t be tolerated. All discipline should be depended on the child. As long as abuse doesn’t happen how and if you discipline your child that is up to you but still remember kids will be kids.

A Thinking Man

I don’t want to spend a lot of time thinking however I realize though that I am a thinking man and it is part of the package it sounds like.

I want to think positive because so much out there is negative. I know people who listen to talk radio on a regular basis whether it is conservative or liberal. I don’t think that is good for anyone to spend a lot of time that way because so much negativity can happen. One side will talk bad about the other side which I don’t think is good for anyone. It is important to hear all sides and come up with your own way of thinking. I am sure most here have an idea which side I lean toward without even saying anything. I do listen to a little sports radio because I am interested in sports however often the stations repeat things over and over again so at that point I start listening to music.

Much of what I think about is to encourage others with positive approach. Our world is full of a lot of negativity so I try to stay away from it. I was talking with a friend yesterday at my local coffee shop who said that she doesn’t watch the Olympics because of politics. Yes there is politics and cheating as part of the Olympics but it is sad not to watch because of it. I enjoy all types of sports and the Olympics have those sports that are not covered except every four years so why spoil the entertainment of it because of the politics and cheating. Enjoy the Olympics for what is the best part of it and if we don’t watch something on television because of political issues than we lose out on the fun of it. Of course this is my opinion you can do whatever you want for that matter.

So enjoy your day while I get back to thinking especially about you reading my blog. It always makes my day to know that you are taking the time to read this so I will spend some of the time thinking what I will write about next. Peace and joy in your life.  

The Sun

Here in Western Washington during the winter time we don’t see the sun very often. This week peaked its head out a few times and today Saturday supposed to be a sunny day. On Sunday the rain is supposed to happen once again.

January we had a lot of rain. So much that some people I know plan to go somewhere else next year. I can’t really blame them though I am used to it since I have lived here all my life. What is interesting with the lack of sun and a lot of cloudy days it is common for those here to go into depression. I am not sure that has been my problem however it could be part of it. Most years though I do see the sun comes out more often than it has this year. January it rained almost every single day. I am sure it is the reason so many people have talked about leaving for the winter. When you are retired and older I believe you want to spend time in nice and warm weather instead of cloudy and cold.

There are those like my cousin Christy who have a place in Arizona where they can spend the late fall, winter and early spring before returning home. Christy actually lives in British Columbia where they actually have more rain and snow then we do here in Western Washington. Most years she and her husband David go to Arizona in October and then go back to British Columbia just before Christmas. This year my mother and I had a short visit with them here in Gig Harbor while they were on their way to Victoria to spend time with his mother for Christmas; this year though instead of going back to Arizona in February they are going to Morocco and England for a month. They both have been there before but many years ago so want to relive some good memories. Also Christy is into pottery so wants to know more history of pottery in Morocco. It will be fascinating to hear their story. Since mother and I were not able to make it to British Columbia last year because of wild fires our plan is to go in late May or early June for a visit. I look forward to write you all from there.

I hope to see more sun here in February. We have had some very nice months of weather in February before. Spring is real nice around here though rain does come here and there as well. Whatever the weather you have where living enjoy it especially when the sun is around. I embrace every day no matter what the weather is like even though it is harder to do when it is raining all day or cloudy. Peace be with you.  

Motivation

Whatever we do generally begins with motivation. First thing in the morning we get up because we are motivated to do something for the day. If it is a job the main motivation is to make money so we can do other things with our life whether we like it or not we can’t do a lot of things without money.

We do have other motivations besides money. On those days that we don’t get up for work we are motivated to enjoy the day. We might have satisfaction to go play in the snow during the winter or sit in the sun while on vacation in the summer.

We all gifts and talents given to us and the motivation are to use them to the fullest. I am sure we enjoy those gifts and talents as well.  With the Olympic Winter Games beginning in South Korea right now the motivation of the athletes is to win a gold medal. They have done all the practicing and other events to lead up to the games to come home with the gold medal. Of course only the winner comes home with the gold medal however each athlete desires to win even if they are not the best in the event. This is how we should feel when we are competing or wanting to accomplish something being the best we can be. Motivation is not the end to it all only the beginning however it is a strong idea behind everything we do. It is very important that we are motivated in everything we do. All things we do should lead to excellence and that begins with motivation. It doesn’t mean that we will be perfect every time however we need to strife toward perfection. It is OK to fall no matter how many times because this leads to more motivation. Enjoy this day since it is your motivation too.

Mighty Men and Women

In the old testament of the Bible King David of Israel had a group of men that were mighty warriors that came along aside him. They were known as the Thirty. They had exploits that I am not sure any have come in battle ever since. They killed thousands at a time. We all have heard the story of David and Goliath. As a teenager David brought down Goliath who was the strongest and tallest man of his time for the enemy of Israel. Every man in Israel was afraid of Goliath. One day David who was a sheepherder came to the frontlines where his older brothers were at. He heard not only the insults against his people but those against his Mighty God. So in his heart he knew that he had to take down this giant. He didn’t care that he was considered a young boy however he had the experience of being a sheepherder that killed large animals who tried to kill his sheep so without further thinking he took down Goliath with a slingshot. He knew that he could take down this enemy with what he had and didn’t need anything more.

In our day now most of us don’t have enemies in the natural world we have to take down. Some of our countries are in wars and we have armies that are protecting us. I hope that these men are mighty warriors as well.

There is a world that we don’t see with our natural eyes however it is still out there and it is the spiritual world. We have enemies that want to bring us down every day. Most of the thoughts we have in our minds is what they are fighting against. The negative thoughts that come into our minds come from these enemies in the spiritual world. We may not realize it they not only don’t like us they hate us with all their being. They know what we are capable if we ever meet our purpose and destiny. They make every effort for us to never come close to our purpose and destiny. So what do we do? With the help of God and his mighty warriors we can bring down these haters and enemies of ours. The first thing we have to do is recognize and know that we are in this war. Anytime these thoughts that come into our minds that we know are from hell itself we must fight back. I am not saying this too encourage you only but myself as well. Actually it is more than encourage it is to motivate us to be like David and his might men. Yes indeed we are mighty men and women as well we just have to recognize the fact. So when your mind has these thoughts that you know don’t come from your time to fight back. I am sure that we will find more peace when we get the victory against them. We don’t fight on our own but with the help of God. Press on and let it happen. Amen!

Precious Life

All of our lives are precious however over time because of circumstances we sometimes forget that is true. Usually we remember when a child comes to birth or the loss of a loved one. We should think about all the lives we get into contact each day how precious they are and that includes ours.

A precious life is the reason we should treat each other much better. It is the reason we have a purpose as well. We are created not just enjoy our lives for ourselves but to make a difference in others. I am sure that I am like most it is easy to forget that however important to focus on our purpose.

When we go through our lives day by day we may not do things that seem to be a purpose however they are anyway. Others will see what we are doing whether it is the way we walk or conversation with others. Are we always joyful or sad? It isn’t that we have to be up all the time however being consistent in our living others will see. This is especially true for those who see us on a regular basis.

The other day one of my old schoolmate said that we are all preachers by what we say and live on social media. It is very true and how much are others hearing what we say. Even if it is unconscious others hear us all the time even the same way we hear them. Wherever I am I enjoy watching others. I am always wondering what they are thinking even when not saying a word. I look for a smile to see how positive they are living right now. Important for us to listen and act when necessary; all of us are precious even when we are not sure of ourselves.  

Love Living in the Pacific Northwest

                                                    near Astoria Oregon

I am sure that most people enjoy living where they are at however I believe that I am very blessed being born and still living in the Pacific Northwest.

My hometown of Gig Harbor is one of the fastest growing towns in Washington state. I have to say that I don’t blame people for moving here but it would be nice if it wasn’t developing so fast. The traffic is getting worse as time goes by. On Sunday I went to view a development on Hunt street less than a mile from where I go to church. Someone I met  at my favorite coffee who lives nearby to the development told me about where it was located so I decided to check it out. I couldn’t believe that there was about a hundred and fifty homes in that development. They are large homes between thirty-five hundred and five thousand square feet going for around eight hundred thousand dollars. I thought they were lovely homes however we don’t need them since they will raise the property values in the area higher. The average family are not going to be able to keep living here because of the prices and then traffic on Hunt street is going to be quite busy when those homes are sold. At least the development wasn’t cleared cutted in the same manner as North Gig Harbor. At least they left trees around to enjoy. I would have to say the population in the area must have doubled at least in the last ten years. I can imagine what will happen in the next ten years. I am sure many of the other cities and town in Washington state are growing rapid as well especially north of Seattle. Many of the people coming are in the tech industry where they have high salaries.

Right now Oregon seems to me the place to go if you want to still have affordable housing and get a good view as well. Would not surprise me though if that changes in the next ten years as well. My cousin Jennifer who grew up and has spent most of her life in Seattle a year ago moved to Astoria Oregon. It is located on the Oregon coast and it looks lovely by the pictures I have seen from her. She was able to sell her house in Seattle and get twice the size in Astoria for half of the amount. Make sense since Seattle is getting so expensive to live and along with her husband are retiring in Astoria. They do have to get used to all the wind along with more rain. Yes there are places that get more rain than Seattle. If you ever have a chance to travel highway 101 along the Oregon coast it is a lovely place to visit. I look forward to traveling down to see Jennifer one of these days. My sister will be coming out from Quebec in five weeks. She went to college at the University of Oregon in Eugene along with her son Connor for a few days. He has a conference for work in Portland so she will meet him there and they will travel around Oregon for a couple days plus seeing Jennifer in Astoria. After that they will travel up to see my mother and I for a few days as well. It is a lovely drive going up on Interstate 5. It is about a two and half hour drive from Portland. There are two twin cities on the way up. The first twin cities is Longview and Kelso. It has been a while since I visited both places however I remember them as being very nice. When I have the chance I will go down and spend a day seeing what changes have happened. Longview used to be known as a logging town however the industry isn’t what it used to be. I am not sure what the main industry is any more. The second twin cities are Centralia and Chehalis. They are located about another hour drive up. From there is our state capital of Olympia before coming to Fort Lewis Army and McChord Air Force base. The bases are only about fifteen minutes to Tacoma and then exit to highway 16 for Gig Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula. What a beautiful drive to take.

There are so many lovely places to see on the Olympic Peninsula besides Gig Harbor. Seattle is about a forty-five minute drive north from Tacoma. There so many beautiful places north of Seattle as well. So traveling the Pacific Northwest it is a good idea to take a week if not two weeks to see as much as you can. Wherever you stop you can’t go wrong.

Write What You Will

I enjoy writing so much that I look at improving my skills all the time.  This blog is a good way to do so along with encouraging others and opening my life to others. In some respects it is like a journal writing down thoughts. If you have any interest in writing and sharing your thoughts I recommend that you start a blog as well.

My purpose as those of you who read here on a regular basis knows that I enjoy motivating others along with sharing my thoughts about the past and the present; also nice to share places around the state of Washington.

When it comes to encouraging others to let you know that I go through the same struggles myself. Although I want to be positive in my own life negativity drops in some time. I like to walk in the light however darkness will find its way in as well. Fortunately I am able to control it better now than in the past. I know the truth as well however at times I ask why as well. I want to have faith but questions find the way in as well. I guess it is how lives evolve over time along with the fact we are in a battle in our minds whether we realize it or not.

Everyone has their own way of writing. I recently read on line from an experienced writer that it is important to write in the same as you talk and writing to an individual as well. It makes a lot of sense because I want my writing to be sure it is me and that everyone feels that I am speaking to them personally.

A couple months ago I had a woman comment about this blog that she enjoyed it because I share about my daily life. It is important to me that we should be motivated to live our lives in a godly manner that can allow us to be who we are created to be with purpose however I know to that it takes time because of our pasts as well. It is important for us individually to know why were created and to live this life to the best of our abilities. We have been given gifts and talents to fulfill this purpose. I believe that having questions will help us lead to the answers we need to have as well.

You may never have the desire to write a blog like I do however it is a good idea for you to have a journal that you can write down your thoughts. Later go back and read what you wrote down. You don’t necessarily have to write sentences you can write a word or two. If you can draw use pictures as well; whatever way you enjoy expressing yourself is the way to go. I look forward again to write what is in my mind and heart. Have yourself a wonderful and glorious day.

Aim High

This is one time I got the title and wanted to know what to do with it. Well came to my mind that we can be like the Philadelphia Eagles who won the Super Bowl on Sunday. Aim high anything can happen. Whether anyone else believes us or not we can be champions in whatever we feel. Others may never know and millions may never watch but we do know.

This means we can go after the treasure in our heart and we can succeed. I am not one that believes in prosperity like many do however I still believe we can get what our desires as long as it matches up with God. Yes that is the key. God is our partner in a way and he wants us to succeed as long as it matches up with his desire for us. This is where purpose and destiny come in as well. We may believe in what might make us happy however he truly knows what is in our hearts that will make us happy. Some may believe having a home and enough money for themselves along with family however that might not be enough. Usually those who go into debt try to make their own way in getting what they want. Keeping up with the Jones doesn’t work a lot of the time.

So what do we do then to be really happy? Ask God for that treasure in your heart. Give you what will satisfy you. Be the champion in your life. Don’t just ask God for what you want. Go ahead and ask him to surprise you. Who knows what he will bring you. A lot more treasure than you know. When others ask why you have a smile on your face. Tell them that your treasure has come in.

Live in Love

The reason I write this blog because I felt as a Christian this is what God wanted me to do in part to encourage people to seek after him well as living a life of purpose and destiny.

 The greatest call as a Christian is to seek after him and His Kingdom along with sharing with others to receive knowledge and Christ in their life. I am not here to push my beliefs on others but to let them know that they can meet him for themselves and that he has a purpose and destiny for them. Most of all though is for all to know that God loves them for who they are and they can live for him. It isn’t a big ceremony you have to do just accept him into your heart.

 

 

So I see for me to live in love. To love others as he loves me; it isn’t always easy to do so because we are all different and we all make mistakes. I am commanded to love you however it doesn’t mean that I have to like someone all the time that I love. We all know that with our experiences with family and friends. We don’t agree on all things and we don’t treat each other the way we out to either. We are different people as well. I may not like the things you do because we are not alike or you do wrong things just like I do at times however love is still the center of my life.  If a family member is always asking for something but nothing in return at some point I may have to stop it and give tough love. I am sure we have all had family members who have asked for money over and over again. We help them out for a while however at some point we have to stop giving them the money because what they doing are wrong and they haven’t learned to manage the money correctly. This is where tough love comes in.  This is only one example I know that there are others as well. We love them enough to stop helping them when they need to help themselves.

So seek after God and know of his love. Live in love the rest of your days. Amen!

Hiking in the Olympic Mountains

                                                                Lena Lake WA

                                                         Enchanted Valley Chalet

I have memories from my teenage years hiking primarily in the Olympic Mountains while being a boy scout.

My first hike I remember going to lower Lena near Lilliwaup Washington. Yes I know a strange name for a place. It is a beautiful spot on Lena Lake. It is a great way to spend a three-day holiday weekend. The trail is just under seven miles long however it is uphill most of the way. At least that is what I remember. I hope to visit there again someday. It was a difficult hike for me because it was my first hike and I didn’t have the right equipment. I borrowed my brother Dick’s pack because I didn’t have one. What a mistake. It wasn’t very good especially on the upper back. My feet hurt as well however the hiking was miserable and I had a terrible tent as well the view was beautiful; this hike was practice to get ready for my first fifty mile hike. Of course I asked my parents to get a pack of my own and a good tent too. I wasn’t go through something like that again especially for ten days and fifty miles. I don’t remember where we went on our fifty mile hikes other than they were all in the Olympic Mountains. The last one was special because I remember we ended the hike at the Pacific Ocean.

Another short hike I remember going to a couple times is Enchanted Valley. It is like the name implies and trail is just over seven miles. An easier hike I remember than lower Lena. It is located near Forks, Washington and there is a chalet that is located at Enchanted Valley. The first time visiting there our scout troop had to camp outside the chalet because another group were insider however we were lucky to stay at the chalet the second time. On the second trip though I remember us be encountered by a bear. It pretty much left us alone though the bear did chase our scout master up a tree. The only time I have seen a bear in the wild.

My brothers and I took a hike up to Hurricane Ridge which is about forty-five minutes outside of Port Angeles and another beautiful spot to spend a few days at; easy hike as well.

There are so many places to visit within the Olympic National Park and they are all so marvelous to see. You don’t necessarily have to go on a fifty mile hike there are plenty of day hikes.

Here in Washington State we are very blessed because we have the Cascade Mountains as well where you can hike whether for a day or a week or longer. Ever come to Seattle make a plan to see the Olympics or Cascades. A great way to spend a vacation for sure.

Ground Hog’s Day

Today is February 2^nd which means that it is Ground Hog’s Day here in the USA anyway. For some it is a big day while others don’t care a whole lot.

What it all means is whether we have six more weeks of winter or not. If the ground hog sees his shadow that means there will be six more weeks of winter. It is what happened this year and when he doesn’t see his shadow than spring comes early.

Here in the Pacific Northwest the weather has been pretty mild. We did have it cold in early November when we had a little snow as well in the cities. Since then it has been temperatures primarily in the forties and hitting into the fifties.

The mountains have had a good amount of snow especially in January. I heard that Mt. Baker which is near Bellingham and the Canadian border had nineteen feet of snow in January. It didn’t hit the record however were quite close and a good year for those who go skiing.

Ground Hog’s Day has another meaning to my family and I. Today is my father’s birthday. I remember when I was young and first heard that today was his birthday my brothers and I laughed. We thought it was funny that he was born on this day. Dad has been gone since 1993 so it will celebrate twenty-five years since he passed away. We miss you every single day pops and we salute you this day. Happy birthday Dad you were the very best.  Though we didn’t have all the same interests you still took the time to take me to ball games and you coached my little league team for a year. Many of the guys still think of you as our best coach. This is something I will never forget.

So everyone enjoy today and the next six weeks of winter where it is happening in the world anyway. I just hope we do get more snow here even if it is just a little. Have a great month and weekend. Oh yes I hope that we can see the sun sometime during the next six weeks.

Dieting

At some point in all of our lives we have to change our diet whether it is because of weight or health or both or even personal conviction.

Eighteen years ago I had to take a few things out of my diet because I had my gall bladder taken out and I just could eat them because of bad reaction. It has been ten years now since I found that my heart was not good so I change some things in regard to it as well. I had to walk daily as well to keep my heart in good condition. Four years ago I had to have a kidney stone removed and told to stop eating a few more things. I am amazed that I can eat anything these days. LOL

Before my heart I found that I had high blood pressure so I had to lower my sodium content and then put on medication so it would lower to a normal rate. It likely was the major problems with my heart though don’t know for sure.

A couple years ago I gained ten pounds just like that which I thought was very odd. Seeing the doctor I found that I had gained the weight because of water fluid in my stomach and leg areas. I was put on water pills to see if I would lose the gain and not add on anymore. It took a while so six months ago I finally lost the ten pounds; very good news to me anyway however early last year I had to go through physical therapy because I had a sore back. Things like this happen when gaining weight I have found out. My back is now in pretty good condition once again. I continue doing exercises and stretching for my back still today.

Four months ago I found out that my blood sugar level was high so again the change to my diet. I don’t eat anything like cakes anymore and other sugar type items. I am sure that I still have a little sugar in my diet still but surely not like before. I look forward to taking the blood sugar test again to see where it is now. 

Even not eating cakes or even pies my weight did not change until this week. I would not say the best way to lose weight however I have had the stomach flu I believe anyway. One thing I know is that I am not able to eat solid foods and I have lost eight pounds. I figure that I won’t eat any solid foods for the next couple days and may need to go back to the doctor to see the true reason for not keeping down the solid food.

My plan is not to gain back any of the eighteen pounds I have lost in the last six months. If it takes more determination not eat certain foods I will do so. In fact I hope to lose another eighteen pounds over the next six months.

I certainly found out it is not easy task in losing weight even with changes to my diet. I am sure it is because of my age however I hope that my metabolism will change in the process. Remember it is important for all of us to change our lifestyle at some point whether it has to do with diet or exercise. I am sure most of us want to live long as we can. Amen!