fool

What an inspiring concept! Everyone should hear this; it would surely motivate them to change! I can especially see this person and that person getting a lot out of this! Too bad I'm the only one here; I guess everyone else is missing out...

Those are my inner thoughts every time I'm exposed to something motivational: "someone else really needs this"; "someone else would really benefit here"; "someone else is missing out".

...but if it's so good, why don't I take it to heart?

Have you ever done that? Have you ever been so eager to pass on acquired knowledge that you failed to benefit from it yourself?

I used to know a whole lot about God.

...but that was before He was my friend.

you

I was a bad friend.

I needed you to give.

-LOVE-

Now I love to give.

Now I am not afraid of you.

pretzels

They say life is like a bowl of chocolates. I'd say it's more like a bag of pretzels. 100 calorie pretzels, that is.

I sat down and considered my life in detail the other day.

-have you ever done that? Reflection saves lives.

I asked myself why sometimes I'm happy and other times I'm sad.

-if it was a simple choice, no one would ever be sad.

I found that my best moments have followed my worst moments.

-without pain, there's no appreciation

I found that my worst moments were due to bad choices.

-feelings lie

I concluded that the only way to happiness is through hard work.

-at least with hard work, you choose your pain.

Take a close look at the 100 calorie pretzel bag. What do you see?

"0g Fat, 0g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 0 mg Cholesterol".

Unappetizing, but nutritious. 100 calorie pretzels tell us that the bland, unpleasant, and yucky stuff in life is not only healthy, but necessary for happiness. It's difficult to see now, but just wait until tomorrow; the next time you look back on today, those 100 calorie pretzels will appear delicious.

You'll see.

Daddy,

I just want you to know that I am growing up. I see the evidence of growth everywhere I look. Thank you for setting me up for success and training me in love through much pain and chastening. I am rather fond of your discipline these days, and I trust you unlike ever before.

I'm so glad you are my daddy.

Love,

Eric