a car i photographed

my men's group

court

I represented myself in court today and won.

actually, my officer did not show up.

.BUMMER.

I worked many long hours carefully gathering details, preparing my case, and practicing my presentation. I was READY to WIN!

ironically, I won without a fight.

proactive

I'm breaking the rules. I have to say some things I wouldn't normally say. My motto has always been, "less is more", and I still believe it, but I admire those unbound by it.

Allow me to reveal my reflective side:

I am afraid. Afraid to drive you away. The more I present the less you respect me. I think. So I hide behind the art of ambiguity. And I stay on the offensive.

Do you see that in me? Are you aware of my insecurity? I have found security in keeping you guessing.

But that is changing... hopefully.

I will always be this way, but I am learning how to turn it off when I need to get the job done. This is one of those times. I feel I must speak up.

...so here goes

--

If the President of the United States held a microphone to my face right now, asking me to share my most recent discovery with the world, I would say this:

"Be proactive!"

...and as much as I am tempted to end this post with those two words, I would like to explain myself briefly. That is, if you don't mind listening.

Solomon said that life is meaningless without God. Translated, I believe Solomon meant this:

"When you decide you understand the meaning of anything, you are wrong. I know this because I've tried. I have sat and pondered the meaning of life for years and years; ever searching for something immovable: something of meaning. I pursued every single whim; I chased every single desire; I lived for every single moment. The world told me this was happiness and meaning, and I believed it. But with each new passion I followed, I felt more and more used. I felt manipulated. Tricked. Nothing made me happy. Nothing. All it did was make me angry.

"I don't think I would have reached the point of decision if I hadn't tried everything the world offers, so stubborn am I. But fortunately, with all the wealth, influence, and ability I needed, I was able to taste everything. Finally, I tasted enough to understand one truth: 'Happiness is a lie.' Happiness truly does not exist; it is simply a byproduct.

"Allow me to finish my story. After giving myself everything I wanted and finding less meaning than I had prior to my splurge, I became deeply depressed and sullen. My depression lasted until I faced suicide, and after wondering if killing myself would bring meaning to my life, I finally thought about my thoughts. I actually stepped outside of the small world in which I'd been living and sought to please someone other than me.

"Finally, I felt good. It was an internal pleasure, wholesome and pure. And I was able to sleep. I knew that I had found something worth pursuing. As I worked to please others, I realized I was pleasing God. Don't ask me how I knew that; I just knew. I felt clean. And I wanted to continue putting others before me.

"It took me longer than I hope it takes you, but at least I finally realized that nothing on earth fulfills. That's because it's free. And nothing free is worthwhile. It's only the things that are expensive and costly that are worthy of pursuit. This bears repeating: if you are not working hard, you will never be fulfilled. Don't be lazy. Don't be selfish. Don't believe anyone who says happiness is free. It's the most expensive and costly pursuit you can ever find. Because it's the byproduct of hard work.

"Be proactive!"

--

Amen, Brother Solomon! I couldn't have said it better myself.

prison

It may be anger

It may be lust

It may be sorrow

It may be trust

Whate'er it be

O lay it down

You'll be set free

You'll be unbound

where

Where does inspiration come from?