Practical Application

To make a real difference in the world, one must have the courage to speak from his heart. To sit by and consume yourself in anger is allowing the world's problems to win. No need for over the top actions, actions that will come back to haunt, only to have no fear in speaking the truth and standing for what is right. We must change our minds from idly sitting by while the world gets worse to changing our lives by helping others, having tolerance and becoming the smile the world needs so desperately. It is up to us. If we possess the desire to see changes, we must possess the desire to do our part to precipitate the desired change. We must no longer be satisfied being sheep and following the fashionable trend of the day. We must become more aware of one another, to clean up our act and to lead by example. The delicate balance of change and how to change is a matter of the will to change. The will must be to overpower the desire to sink in the muck and mire and to use the will to empower our own ability to evoke positive change. The choice is ours to make. If every American took four hours a week to do an activity that will positively touch another life, before too long, small but significant results would start to be seen and felt. Perhaps it would happen as a domino affect, maybe it would start slow, then crescendo to an unprecedented pitch. Maybe rather than flying an airplane into a building, a more constructive solution would form in the minds of the angry. It can only start at the beginning. It can only happen when we band together as humans and make a commitment to ourselves and one another to believe we have the power and the right to make necessary changes in our lives. We must cast fear aside and realize the beauty we all possess, to tap into the hidden goodness we all have within us. Then will we be able to speak with a sincere heart, to act with a sincere motive and to live with pure intentions to ourselves and our fellow humans. What a glorious thing to see the majority of people loving and helping one another to endure the harsh realities that are part of all our lives. Life would be so much easier if we refused to give in to the assumption that we cannot make a difference. Differences within us and differences within the world are necessary to grow and learn and become tolerant to things we may not understand, but should accept anyway. Change your mind and change your life!

A Lil' Bit of History

Hi everyone! I'll bet you're wondering what this picture is all about? This was taken in the small town of Nashville Georgia. This is where my father grew up. On this property in the pic was the house and farm I remember when we went to visit my grandmother in the summer. It was a simple, wooden house, nothing fancy at all. They were tobacco farmers. There were a few cows, some pigs and chickens and roosters. On this property my brother and I had some of the best times ever! My great uncle had a Vespa motor scooter and we would drive that scooter all around the dirt roads in the area. I used to gather eggs for my granny from the nests that were in various places all around. I was around 10 or 11 when a newer, nicer house was built down the road from here and that house still stands. The old house, the barn, the chicken coop, the small corn silo and everything else here was destroyed by a huge fire and several years later, anything that was left was wiped out by a tornado. Now, it looks as if nothing was ever there. When others see this land, they see a field of weeds and dirt. When I see this land, I see memories. How many more places that look like just a blank field once held wonderful family gatherings and lots of love and laughter for others? History can be wiped out from the visual eye, but what's left are memories that hold happiness for others. So, the next time you glance over and see a vast expanse of field, remember there may be lots of great memories for others. Use your imagination and picture what might have been at one time! Hope you all have a beautiful day!

I Have Something To Say

Something needs to be said. I have a big mouth and I'm not afraid to use it. I have learned to use it more wisely than I did when I was younger, however, something needs to be said. I watched the Tiger Woods apology Friday. I'm not at all concerned how sincere he was, for his well being, I hope he was. I'm not concerned about how long it took him, he had to evaluate what he had done. I'm not even concerned about what he did in the first place, that's between him,his wife and God. Not my issue. What concerns me is the reaction it got. Are we so concerned with what a celebrity has to say about his personal life? IT'S HIS LIFE!!! We, as fellow human beings should have more compassion towards someone who's hurting and those that were hurt by the actions. I have no idea what kind of person he REALLY is, it's not my place to know that. What I do know is he, like all of us, has his issues in life. I say this as a Christian, but it applies to every human being. No matter what religious belief system one has, unconditional love is almost always a truth. I have listened to the media blast him after his apology, I have heard what the public reaction is. Are you serious? "He wasn't sincere enough", "He read his speech", "He took too long to say something". Are you serious? Let me ask a question. How did the public react to the man who flew his plane into a building in Austin? How does the public react to the horrible things taking place all over the world? Does any of that make as big a splash as someone who is a celebrity? Our focus and the things we take to heart and want to make an issue of have become a charade! What about the hurting people, what about the homeless children, what about the hurting relationships and the walls being built that stop unconditional love to flow through? Why is that not the focus of us all? Why do we waste precious time complaining about what Tiger Woods did or did not do? Ultimately, does it really matter to us? No, it absolutely does not. What matters is our reaction towards a hurting individual who just happens to be in the public eye. It is not our business to judge, it is our business to love him unconditionally. It is not our business to put conditions on his actions, it is our business to love him unconditionally. How much better would our world and our personal walk through life be if we spent more time loving each other unconditionally, rather than blasting others for their transgressions? Are any one of us beyond reproach in our personal lives? No, we are not. And if any one of you say you are, I love you unconditionally. I will not agree, but I will love you in my disagreement with you. I may not feel the need to hang with you, but I still will love you unconditionally. I have seen some terrible things transpire in my life, as well as others. I have been angry, hurt, tired, exhausted from the constant battle, but the one thing I have learned as a result of all those things is it is my call and duty to love each and every one unconditionally. I have made the choice to love others, even if I absolutely do not agree with their actions or their words. It is not our place to judge others, it is not our place or our call in this life to condemn another for their transgressions. It is our place to reach out as a compassionate human being to hurting, fellow humans. Even if it's a prayer, or a kind word or a kind thought. You do not have to love the transgression, but we do have to love the transgressor with unconditional love. Sometimes we are wrong in our assessment of another's troubles. It happens as we are human beings, given free will. But is our choice to make in how we deal with everything that life hurls at us. I have 4 wonderful sons and a wonderful "adopted" daughter. I may not agree with everything they say or do, but I love them all with every ounce of my being. I don't like walls, I don't like to be separated from their love. I have learned to accept them all, where they are, without blame or condemnation. It's been hard on some accounts, it's been a downright spiritual battle at times, but my ultimate choice, no matter what I said in anger or hurt, is to love them where they are. It's my duty and choice to make that choice. I suggest before we blast each other for our mistakes, our transgressions and our bad choices, we stop and take a good, long look at ourselves and make the choice to love unconditionally, no matter what. "A house divided against itself shall fall." We must make an effort to stop the divisions and make truth that we are all linked together as humans. I love you all!

Look Beyond the Mist!

Good morning! It's drizzling outside, it's Friday and it's going to be a day of getting things done here in the house! I chose this pic today because I love the way you can barely see the mountains beyond the mist! When I took it, we were traveling back to Lexington, Kentucky from Nitro, West Virginia where I lived for 3 years as a child. What struck me about this shot is really very simple. Sometimes things as big as mountains seem to be hidden, however if you look really hard, you can start to see what it is you're looking for! Just like in life, when the answers seem so obscure, if you be patient and really seek the answers, they will become more and more visible to you! Life is full of questionable events that leave us wondering "what am I supposed to do now?" Well, I have found the key is in your reaction. Sit back, relax, have a cup of tea or coffee, and start patiently looking between the lines, through the mist, whatever's in between you and the answers and, in time, the answers will be right there. Now there are times when the answers do not come so easily and those are the times, especially not to panic or get disappointed because they will appear. You may have to wait an extended period of time. Realize there will be a resolution, just be patient. In the meantime, get something constructive done and there is always something constructive to do! Help a friend, go for a drive, write in your journal, whatever you need to do, just be patient, answers will come. I had a bit of a situation this past Labor day weekend where something happened that appeared to be just awful. Instead of panicking or getting down and out, I busied myself with finding the solution, praying about the solution and going ahead with my plans for the weekend. Sure enough, it's over now and everything is back to normal! As a matter of fact, the following Tuesday something awesome happened that could possibly make a big difference in another situation in my life where I was working hard not to get down about! It's amazing how things in our lives will fit together in ways you can't imagine until you take the time to really look for them! And you have to believe that you truly are being watched out for and that the "big guy" really does have your back! That's the other important point to remember. No matter what it looks like, look beyond the outward. God knows what He's doing! He's been "fixing" things for many, many years! I hope everyone has a great day! Love to all!

Be Strong!!!!!

Good morning all! I've been bad and not posted anything for too long again! I've been working hard to market the business and having fun doing it! I have a lead for a company that rents their facilities for parties, banquets and lots of other events! They are looking for a third caterer and I am looking to be their third caterer! Keep your fingers crossed as this would be a fantastic opportunity for Taste of Texas! Well, I have to correct something I said in my last blog. The Kentucky Derby is NOT held at Keeneland, it's at Churchhill Downs which is in Louisville. Sometimes I seem to be a bit ditsy but it's all good! I finally got on Facebook and have run across people I haven't talked to in years! I am planning a huge birthday party for Dad and it's gonna be hysterical because we are doing old school country karaoke! I wish I could find someone with a camcorder! This oughtta be a hoot! On a more serious note, I find myself in a position to help a couple of people with similar issues, ones that I have never been very tolerant about. I have to say that I feel like I'm being tested. But I will prevail and so will the people who are having problems! Here's the deal! I know it sounds trite, but you just have to reach way, way down inside sometimes and find the strength to make your life better. You have to be stronger than the issue in question. It can be done, I know it can. You see, you have to refuse to be overcome by whatever is threatening your life and mind. It's all in your mind. The strength is there, you just have to allow it to be the dominant force! It is very hard and sometimes you will not be the victor. But you pick yourself up, forgive yourself and work a little harder next time until it becomes the preferred way of life! I love you all and want everyone to be happy and healthy and content! And VICTORIOUS!!!! Have a great and beautiful day and I will see you soon!

Hello all! It's been too long since I posted and I will make it a point to keep up better! This picture was taken August 17th, in St. Albans, West Virginia. Jerry and I visited his folks in Lexington Kentucky and decided to go see where I lived from 1969 to 1972. West Virginia is an absolutely beautiful place and I really loved living up there. The bridge in the background is the one that connects St. Albans to Nitro, where I actually lived. It crosses over the Kanawha River and I used to sit on the banks of the river and watch the coal barges go by. It was beautiful to me! Not much has changed up there! I learned to love John Denver up there. When he came out with "Take Me Home, Country Roads", he sang it on the side of a mountain somewhere and we saw it and it was breathtaking, musically and visually! I'll never forget that! We had a great trip, went to Keeneland Park, where the Kentucky Derby is held, visited the Kentucky Horse Park where lots of renovations and upgrades are taking place due to the "olympics" for the equine community, which will be held in 2010, for the first time in the U.S.! Beautiful area! We stopped on Mud Island in Memphis on the way home! What an interesting place! It has a riverwalk along the Mississippi River and there is a giant man-made concrete, multi-level puzzle, following the course of the river and history maps, as well! It is just amazing! We drove by Graceland and it is such a shame to see the neighborhood around it has gone way down over the years. I had time to reflect and think on things while we were traveling and it was a wonderful and realxing trip! I have officially started on my book "Change Your Mind & Change Your Life". Everyone have a great day and I will post again real soon! Love to all!

Watching for the path

Sometimes in life we have no idea which direction we're supposed to go. At times it seems the path is so obscure we just cannot see it. Patience my friends, patience. Here's the challenge. Not to be impulsive because we want to move ahead quickly. Not to make wrong decisions because we can't sit still and wait for the answers to come. And, not to jump into a situation that we have questioned and still feel no real pull towards, we just jump into them simply due to impatience or idealism. To me, it's like finding the path that takes longer to see, but will take you to a better place in life because you had to make an effort to find it. Not like the path of least resistance, which is generally not the ideal way to travel. I spent many years of my life in a situation which affected many people around me in a negative way. I followed a path that I had left before, several times, only to find it would lead me to much heartache and grief and cause others pain as well. The reason for following the wrong path for so long is due to the fact that after I had committed to the wrong path, it became a "prison" of ideals which were all based on a shaky foundation. Why? Because that path was the wrong one and I was insistent that it was the right one. When I finally realized how wrong and mistaken I was, it was too late to change the negative results. So, what I'm saying is this. When faced with a choice of paths, and you're not sure which direction to go, wait, pray, think out all the options and make a faith based decision, not an "I want to be right" decision. You may even be resistant to that path, but in the end, it will be the better one for the future. I regret my impulsive decisions and my bad case of idealism. I have realized over the years that idealism is like a 2 edged sword. If it's used in moderation it's fine. If it's used as your main platform of decision making, you're in serious trouble. So, before you jump into any situation that will deeply and profoundly affect your life and the lives of others around you, take the time to find the right path. It's the beautiful path that requires patience and a quiet sense of faith.