Being a Writer

We all have a story to tell that is what makes us being a writer. I am here as you know to encourage others in living their life of purpose. Your story can include what your purpose in life is and how you go about doing it. You don’t necessarily need to have your own blog unless that is what you like to do. If so write about what inspires you. Also you can get started by posting on social media. This can get you to know how well you are doing and what others think about what you are sharing.

When it comes to writing everyone has their own style. I write like the way I talk and think. I have a cousin Jennifer who just finished writing a book that she is looking to publish. Also she is involved in a writer’s group where she lives in Oregon. The purpose is to have contacts and become a better writer.  Recently she posted a poem on Facebook. It was very good though the writing was different than mine. I realized that not only our writing is unique we pick up our style from others that we have read. It doesn’t mean that we copy the style exactly but we learn from writers we read from. Also I am sure we do it without realizing it. Jennifer reads a lot of books so I am sure she writes with a combination of writers. I read the newspaper and other blogs primarily. I read mostly the sports section of the paper so when I write about sports I am sure that I write in the way those that I have read. I am sure my style of writing about sports is different than I do here. I would like to write my sports more like I do here in the future.

I believe to when talking with other people especially when using your purpose with the gifts and talents you have been given use your story with them. I believe the most effective way is too share with those who have gone through a lot of the same things you have however you can share with those who haven’t had similar experiences still by sharing your story. This is what writing is all about however so is conversation wherever you are. In fact writing really is conversation in your own way.

Whatever level you have decided to be a writer whether as a blogger or in books people will read to what you have said. I want to encourage you to give your life to others in whatever form it comes. Best to you and until next time.

Summer Means Joy

I believe for most people summer means joy. I am sure everyone feels that in different ways.

Here in the Pacific Northwest summer means sunshine. Yes I know that summer means sunshine everywhere however in the Pacific Northwest we don’t have a lot of sun except in the summer. It doesn’t mean we don’t see the sun at all other times of the year it is just not as frequent although we seem to see more often than we used to. For instance in May we had a lot of sun and higher temperatures. It actually felt like summer although I knew when June came around we would have to wait for summer. Actually June has been like May this year in the last few years. I feel as though climate has changed at least here anyway.

Summer means joy for at least a couple reasons to me. When I was a kid because I was out of school; I didn’t have to spend most of the day inside sitting at a desk trying to figure out what I am doing or being out in the hallway because I was talking to loud.  The second reason is the sun. I believe people do feel better when the sun is shining. I do to even other times of the year. The sun may only come out for a few minutes but it has come out.

Here in the Pacific Northwest we do get rain but not as much as people elsewhere think however we do have a lot of cloudy days. Other words a threat of rain which happens sometimes while it often stays just cloudy.

I believe joy is a choice that we make. We can have joy whether it is sunny or not. As a kid I had joy long as I was outside whether the sun was out or not. It was tough when raining but I did the best I could anyway. Being indoors was fine when it was raining to some degree though I preferred the outdoors. I think it all depended what we were doing indoors. If I was sitting at my desk looking at a math problem ouch that hurt or on the other hand we were at a table working on a project that felt much better.

I know that you will have joy and fun during the summer because you will probably spend a lot of time in the outdoors however choose to do so when the weather is not so nice as well. Even look to have joy when you are sitting at a desk. Have the joy of helping the person or persons that are next to you. Use the gifts and talents God has given you with great joy.  

Our Purposes Can Change

We may have purposes that we are involved in right now but they can change over time. Our gifts and talents will not change.

Right now my main purpose is taking care of my elderly mother however that won’t last forever. Her health has been good for someone her age but the possibility she could use help that I can’t give her or she will pass away. Of course it will be difficult when she is gone and I know that will mourn for a little while like my sibling but I do have plans what to do next as well. My plans though could change depending what is happening at the time. I still will use my gifts and talents beyond my mother now and in the future.

On Friday I hope to drive mother to Mount Rainier. It has been a while since visiting there though can see the mountain every day. By car it takes about two hours get to Mt. Rainier depending on the traffic.

She isn’t very enthusiastic in going to Mt. Rainier but I think it could be her last time. She felt the trip to British Columbia in May take a lot out of her however I told her that it won’t be a long trip and we will be able to stop more often. Also the temperatures shouldn’t be as hot either. A good time to go before summer happens. How she feels though decide whether we actually go or not. I told her that all she has to do is relax while being at the mountain and that she won’t have to do a lot of walking. We will have her walker available as well though most of the time she uses her cane.

While we were in British Columbia her legs were in good condition however recently they haven’t done as well. Her legs have swollen up to where they were before going on the trip. I hope that this trip even though it will be for the day that the swelling in her legs will go down. The belief is that they got better because she was higher above sea level then here and hope this will help again. For a couple weeks after returning home they did fine but have gotten worse as I have said. Although I can get her shoes on it is more difficult than it was for the last couple months. I take her to a specialist once a month and we see her again next week. I hope it all works out on Friday. If not we will have to see what else to do.

So make plans in your life when circumstances change. It doesn’t have to be like what I am doing now but I can guarantee things will change they always do.

Motivation

Often it takes motivation to get where we should go.  Sometimes we feel that we should be doing something but the motivation gets us there.

Though I knew that I was supposed to write this blog it took me almost a month to get the motivation to get started. A person who makes a decision to do something and does it right off the bat is a rare breed in my mind anyway.

An example is going on a diet to lose weight. It can take time to get motivated to start. The motivation usually happens because of health scare or you are now tired of seeing how you look. I am amazed where I see some customers at the coffee shop I attend buy a breakfast burrito every time they go in along with their coffee. Every once in a while it is OK to have a burrito but every day or so is unbelievable. They must be hooked on them. I have had people tell me that they really like them. I tried the burrito once and I was not impressed so not another one for me. They have breakfast sandwiches as well which I think taste better but my stomach doesn’t like them along with not being very healthy either. Those two items I am not motivated for eating but the opposite of not having one.

Right now I am working on my diet. I have set up a diary or journal or whatever you want to call it writing down the weight I am in the morning and then putting the time along with what I have eaten. I figure this will help motivate me to stay on the diet. Also it will allow me to see what I have been eating and the success or lack of it. Another thing it will do is tell me what I have eaten that I probably shouldn’t be at least on a regular basis. For example if I eat a dessert like a piece of pie or cake then I will wait for a couple weeks or so before having another one if I choose to do so. I don’t think we have to cut things out all the time unless told otherwise by a doctor. I hope to be able to fast at least once a week as well or go without eating for ten to fifteen hours. My thought is if I have dinner at 6 pm I won’t eat breakfast until 6 am or later.

Another way to look at things we need discipline to go along with motivation. So whatever you need to do right now with motivation best to you I hope that you will succeed.  

Make People Feel Good About Themselves

Our purpose in life with the gifts given to us is to make people feel good about themselves.

I am sure those who isolate themselves haven’t had a lot of friends or anyone that will care for them. It is a sad place for those who feel that way on a regular basis. With my past history I have felt that way when I am in depression however when I snap out of it I know to that is not true.

Those who have a gift of compassion or encouragement can help those in isolation however everyone has a gift that can be used even if those two are not your strong suit. Actually any gift you share with others at some degree or another shows compassion or at least encouragement.

A very good gift to have that others can benefit from is hospitality. Those who have this gift have friends over at their place on a regular basis and make them feel at home. Next time you have a party invite someone who doesn’t look like they get invited out very often. Also have your friends bring along someone like that to. I know that you will make a big difference in their lives. This way they can get out of their life of isolation and be free.

I know that there are other ways that we can make people feel good about themselves as well. A good smile, a laugh or asking them about themselves is a few ways to get going. So much we can do even in small ways. All we have to do is be creative in what we do.

Overcoming

Recently we heard of a couple celebrities that committed suicide. It has become a sad story in USA well as around the globe.

Here in my home town of Gig Harbor Washington this week a young man committed suicide. It wasn’t the first time and I am sorry to say probably not the last. I have mentioned before that I had to deal with depression when I was in junior high and high school. I didn’t consider it a disease at the time. I considered it something I had to deal with. I even thought at times about suicide but then I though better.

I found though I had went into depression and a dark place at times life was still better than death. We can’t do things over if we end it. I almost died when I was four years old. When I was going through the times of depression I would say to God why you didn’t take me when you had the chance instead of me living in depression. I can say now that his plan was much greater than mine. It doesn’t mean that I don’t deal with depression now because I do at times. I want to shout out to people that life is worth living despite what you are going through. Sometimes it is easy to forget. We can’t do it on our own we have to have family and friends to help out along with God. He can give us the strength to make it through. Want to know more read Psalm 23 where he is our shepherd he will help us live in green pastures though we might walk through the shadows of death.

So I want us to shout to everyone that life is great and that you can make it despite what it looks like now. I know because I have been one that has been there. If you know someone that is dealing with depression and has suicidal thoughts let them read this. You can overcome and that you are special despite what some people may say or the thoughts that will come into your mind. I hope to be here for a while where I can make the noise about living a life of purpose. Yes and Amen!

Using Our Gifts

Saturday morning my church had a men’s breakfast where one of the pastor’s spoke about finances. His main point was that we can have freedom in our finances. We don’t have to live with a poverty mentality. This doesn’t have to do with prosperity in general but we are still meant to live with healthy finances. We need to live within our finances where our income is higher than our expenses. Also we can use excess funds to increase our income by investing. The ultimate goal is to have enough money to help others in need.

So what came to my mind during that time is for us to use our gifts that we have been given to produce more money. For example in my case is to become a better writer where I can make money in the process as well; it is not my main focus at all however if I am able to then I will be able to help others out.

So we should figure out the gifts that we have where we can produce money in ways that we don’t right now. Those who are working and drawing a salary have gifts already being used right now however these same gifts and more of them can produce more money. Again the purpose is not to be wealthy rich unless that is God’s desire but have the money not only be secure in our lives but to help others to be secure in their lives. Think about it and see where things go.

Dealing with Grief

Locally on social media I find some people don’t have sympathy for those who are crying out with grief. Everyone deals with grief in different ways and sometimes it has to do with anger.

Although I don’t think anger is the best way I understand it as well. Also I amazed how people used swear words to give out how they feel as well. It seems so immature to far as I am concerned.  I can understand those who are grieving but it is the one that respond back. In fact it isn’t just in posts that people who are grieving it is other posts as well. It is shameful that people have to use swear words at all. They sound like they are back in junior high school. I never use those words at all.

The world is in a sad state of affairs especially here in the United States. It is where anger happens on a regular basis. It is though many people are living in grief all the time even if they haven’t lost a loved one.  Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine. But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” That says it all doesn’t it.

Interesting a few hours after writing this to post I saw a post from cousin Rob Shaw son Mike who spoke about grief as well.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiqL0TPHn58

Seeing the World

When we discover our purpose in live we start seeing the world a different way. Our purpose becomes the most important thing. It doesn’t mean we can’t do other things but the purpose is still the number one thing in our lives.

I know a few young people who have written about their struggles before they found out the purpose in their lives. They came from good, loving Christian family but it didn’t keep them from going through the tough times as youngsters. It is how life is for most of us. Even when we discover our purpose doesn’t mean won’t go through trouble still we have a perspective that is different than we knew before.

After we find our purpose likely trouble will find us we hopefully are mature enough to handle it. The world is not an easy place to live in however our purpose will help us live through it. The question then why live a life of purpose if it can bring trouble. The answer is trouble is going to find us whether we live in our purpose or not so we might as well because we will be happier and more fulfilled living in our purpose if that makes sense.

So today I will live my life again with my purpose in mind. None of us knows what today brings and we may not have the opportunities to share all of our purpose but still we must be open to it.  We must keep our eyes and ears open to see what is out there. The person we least suspect could be the reason for our purpose for today. Also that person could be out there for us too. Not only can we change another person they can change us as well it is something we always have to remember. Amen!

School’s Out

On Wednesday I was again at my favorite coffee shop with a bigger crowd. It was obvious that school is now out. Actually it was the first day here that school is out for the summer.

Being out of school for the summer seems to get shorter every year. I am sure some if not all parents thought where did the school year go by? This year the kids have only nine weeks to have fun and play. I remember it being twelve weeks. I am wondering if it will get shorter and shorter every year where school will be all year round. Of course school will be the same amount of days but they will have more breaks during the year. Using our mathematical skills a week off every month would turn it into all year school. If you are like me who didn’t like school that much being around all year long would be not that much fun. Also it would mean that there wouldn’t be any camps around for kids go to either. I enjoyed going to camp. It wouldn’t work so well for high school students who work during the summer either.

I look forward to hearing what the kids will do for the summer. I am sure some will go on long trips to visit relatives in another state or go to a foreign country. Although they will have fun it will be a learning experience as well. Other words you don’t have to be in school to learn. In fact these days with the internet we can all learn something all the time. We all know now that information comes out pretty fast these days.

I don’t really have plans to go anywhere this summer since I had my major trip in May to British Columbia seeing my cousins. I figure to take some trips in the area that will only be for a few hours. I will take my camera with me as well. Something I want to do for the summer is getting better at taking pictures that I can share on line. We can all use self-improvement in skill areas. Getting out will give me more things to write about as well.

Kids might be out for the summer however I hope to learn more during this time by observing others and talking with some as well. Education is an ongoing tool even when you are not in school. Actually life is an ongoing tool if you think about it along with being an adventure. We can learn in the summer to use all year long. Let’s do it!!

Wherever You Are

I have said it before but I want thank you all for reading my blog wherever you are.

It is quite amazing I think that some of you take the time to read and I hope that you get the best out of it.

I know some of you have to go some distance to read this blog and in many cases have to pay a lot for access to the internet. Makes me feel so good that you want to read what I have to say.

I know to that some of you come from countries that a majority of the people don’t think the same way I do or feel that they have a purpose and destiny in this life. I hope you are able to share things with others around you.

I feel to share honestly with you. In the same way I do with those around me that I meet in the coffee shop, grocery store or on the streets.

I have friends on social media who continue to post about our current president and his policies how much they dislike his actions. I let them know they have the right to do so but I don’t read their posts whether I agree or I don’t.  It is so tiresome I believe to see it day after day. I get their point and I feel they continue rubbing it in others faces. Also it is hard to know what is true or not these days on social media.

Anyway I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate you day after day. Whatever I write that you take it to heart and to know that I am working on things myself; I am far from being perfect in all ways. I work on to being better as well. I want your friends to know as well. I pray that those who read my blog continue to rise for the benefit of all. I hope that everything is going well and that you are having a wonderful week. Where summer is starting enjoy it very much and those where winter is beginning enjoy it as well. Relaxing and having a clear mind is important to live a life of purpose. Amen!

Friendships

What the really good thing about life purpose besides knowing we are here for a reason are the friendships we gain.

These can be people we have had friendships for a long time or someone brand new. We can always gain more friends. Whether these friends are close or not joy does happen in this way.

We have to remember that they are here for a purpose as well. So these friendships can help us well as we helping them. In fact we can gain understanding and peace along with love for having more people in our lives. Not all these people will be close to us however spending time with them will be good for us too.

I know that not everyone wants to have a lot of friends just a few but I think it helps me out to gain friends in numbers.

There is a group of guys who meet at the coffee shop almost every morning. They meet at other times as well at different members’ homes. They first met several years ago at a car show. They were all interested in classic cars. Now they are close friends where they talk about other things besides cars. At their homes they meet over a beer or dinner and play some poker. We can call it community and we all need it at some extent where we accept it or not. It is never easy being a lone ranger isolated from others.

I don’t spend a lot of time with the car group which I call them. Some mornings I just say good morning or hello but I do sometimes sit down and chat with them. They are older than me but I still enjoy their company. There are other guys and gals that meet at the coffee shop at the same time so I will chat with them too. Even though I wouldn’t call any of them close friends I do still consider them friends. I know that I learn as much from them as they do from me.

You don’t have to make a big deal out of your purpose in life just go out and do it. Share your life with others and give the gifts God has given you when the time comes along. I am a talker however I am learning to listen more to others. I figure not only to get something from them but to figure out what I can give to them. This can happen not only at a coffee shop but out shopping or other places you may go. If you are a member of a church I suggest getting involved in a small group if you haven’t already. It is important that we set our priorities. You will get the best out of it well as they getting the best of you.

Good Morning!

While I was walking Sunday morning before going to church a man that was standing by his car said going morning to me. I didn’t really see him until he said good morning.

I thought it was such a good thing for him to say. We all need to say good morning or hello or hi to whomever we see. I know that I felt so good that this man said good morning. It lifted up my spirits even though we didn’t talk any further. I don’t know where he lives or anything like that either. I don’t recall ever seeing him before.

On my way back from the walk I looked over to see if he and his car were still there. Not at all he moved on wherever his next distention. I do hope that sometime I will be able to see him again or he will remind me by saying good morning again.

In some respects saying good morning or hello is not a big deal however it really is. I believe we all feel significant when someone sees us and is willing to say something to us. It is though we have importance in this life.

I have said good morning or hello to some people in the past and didn’t get a response. I am not really sure the reason why. It could be that they have issues in their life or not really listening at the time.

In my deal with this man I really wasn’t paying attention because not often anyone is walking along this road. He made such important statement to me though I wasn’t listening very well I did hear enough that I responded back telling him good morning as well. I am sure he was glad to hear the words too. I wish that I had stopped to ask him how his day is going and what plans he had for the day. I didn’t do that however I did acknowledge his presence which is a good thing. I figure that I learned enough from this experience that next time I will stop and find out how the person is doing. Who knows I may have been able to use my purpose in a greater way. This was a test that I passed but likely didn’t get an A which I hope for next time or at least a B. We all need to be ready to response to others regardless what is happening or not in our lives at the time. Also it doesn’t matter the time of day either. Today I will keep my eyes open and ears more alert to meet a person that could make a change in my life and hopefully theirs too.