"OH NO YOU DI-ENT!"

Throughout our lives we get to know many people very well. These people include our syblings, parents, spouse, children, friends, teachers, other relatives etc. We get to know them so well that quite often we feel like we know what they are thinking. Granted, after being around someone for a long time and observing behavior, we may be pretty good at predicting their behavior. Regardless of how accurate we may become in predicting outward behavior, we do not KNOW what another person is thinking or feeling. If we want to know then we should ask them. To assume we know what someone is thinking and why, is rude and often being a bit arrogant. The reality is we do not know. To act or behave otherwise is to treat them with utter disrespect. You may see me standing alone and just KNOW I'm feeling lonely, when actually I'm feeling  humbled and inspired by the view before me. Don't act on self-absorbed judgements of others. It only leads to trouble, offense and the need to make a lot of relational repairs! "Oh no you di-ent!"

IT MAKES REASON STARE!

So many things in life and nature are common sense or basic reason. A plant needs water, deprive it of water and it will die. Animals need food, deprive them of food and they will die. Over four decades ago when I was in elementary school or what some call primary school, we had Physical Education every day. So we got active exercise everyday at school. We also learned about eating healthy and staying clean.  This continued throughout school from 1st to 12th grade. An interesting observation, there were very few over weight or obese people in school. Fast forward to the present. We no longer have physical education in school like it was before. The programs were viewed as too costly and unnecessary. We still have physical education but it doesn't involve exercise at all. Physical education now is sex education. Sex education for elementary school...? We now have 70% of our students over weight or obese. Our school boards and dept of education struggle with determining the cause and what to do about it. Tell me... does this not MAKE REASON STARE?

MYSTERY

Life is full of mysteries. These mysteries can enrich our lives as well as cause confusion. Some become evident and clear with time. Others require sincere examination including visual inspection and genuine deep pondering. It can be helpful to avoid looking to closely. Wisdom dictates that there are times when it is best to take a step back and view the mystery with relaxed eyes and intuition. It may surprise you what comes into view. It may also surprise you what you already know but don't know how you know. 

CHOICE

Our lives are filled with decisions, with choices. From the moment we awaken until we go to bed we are making choices. A choice is when you have three or more options from which to choose. A decision between only two options is not a choice, it's a dilemma. When making important decisions in life, seek to ensure you have at least three or more options so you truly have a choice and not a dilemma. Avoid dilemmas or you are selling yourself, and your life, short. 

DREAM

It is in our nature to dream. I write not only of our dreams we experience when asleep, but of our dreams in life, of fulfillment. We are meant to dream. It is also in our wiring, in our nature that when  one dream is reached or abandoned, we will formulate a new dream. It is our dreams that give us direction. Our dreams give us purpose. Our dreams help us to understand who we are. Do not be afraid to dream. It is our dreams that give our life meaning. Dare to Dream!

LONELY

We hear people say,"I'm lonely." We hear those words uttered by teenagers and single moms. We hear it from people in what appear to be good relationships. We have all, at some point in our lives, probably uttered the the words,"I'm lonely." Being lonely is usually described as a painful experience. It's not the same as being alone. Being alone is sometimes self-imposed. Being lonely is not planned or desired. The causes and definitions of being lonely are as individual as we are. A third grader who hasn't made friends experiences a different kind if being lonely  than an elderly man who has lost his wife. Regardless of the cause or type of being lonely, a simple but powerful intervention can help. Talk to someone. Call someone, text, chat with someone online. The most important step to relieving the feeling of being lonely is to get out side of ourselves. A chat with a stranger, a store clerk, a new person at church can all help move us in a new direction in our thinking and outside of ourselves. Talking to your creator can be powerfully effective in moving out of being lonely. Feeling lonely? Talk to someone. 

ALONE

We all have those times, even days, when we feel so alone. It seems to be even more intense when we are surrounded by people. Perhaps the lonely times help us appreciate more the fellowship of our friends and family. Sometimes feeling alone helps us to appreciate ourselves more. Regardless of who we are, where we may live, or with whom we may live, there will be times that we feel alone. When I see others who appear to be feeling alone, I like to make eye contact and smile. I like to say something to them that connects us. In those times, I am often reminded of the words to a song I heard my sisters sing when I was young; No man is an island, no man stands alone, Each mans joy is joy to me, Each mans grief is my own. We need one another, so I will defend, Each man as my brother, Each man as my friend.

When we hear or see news reports of people involved in tragedy or great pain, we feel a strange emotional connection. We are all connected. The times of feeling alone can help us remember that truth. Feeling alone can be an experience of cleansing, clearing our thoughts, adjusting our vision, clarifying our priorities and redirecting our focus. No person is an island.