Remembering 9/11- 10 Years Later

I feel such sadness remembering 9/11.  Even as I write this article my eyes are filled with tears. 

The days prior to this infamous anniversary, I debated if I would watch programs of the horrible footage.  I struggled with even allowing my mind to ponder the somber realities of death and shattered lives.

In the end I decided I must be true to myself and my country.  I am remembering 9/11 and it hurts like hell. 

I think I am crying more today, then I did 10 years ago.  10 years ago it seemed that the world just stopped.  The only thing I wanted was my daughter in my arms and to be in front of the television.  As the years have passed our country has and continues to rebuild itself.  I feel safer walking down the street, but I remember being frighted to open my mail or ofgoing into large public building.  Time has a strange way of soothing pain and erasing fear.

If you are remembering 9/11 today it is okay to cry.  It is okay to be angry and it is even okay to smile.  Take your energy and put into something positive.  Here are a few suggestions.

1. Thank a soldier
2. Donate your time or money to a 9/11 charity
3. Call a friend and share your feelings
4. Pray
5. Get more involved with politics
6. Write a letter to a soldier
7. Thank God that America is still standing!

God Bless America!
photo via uncoverage.net via Google images

Me and My Dad- The Relationship That Shapes You

I speak to my dad at least once a day!  I am grateful because my dad is 84 years old and still able to walk, talk and think clearly.  I did not realize I had another significant reason to be grateful until this week. 

I was talking to my dad on the phone and it just so happened that I had a friend over.  I was telling my dad I love you and insisting he not give me money.  As I was having this ordinary conversation, I looked at my friend and saw an emptiness in her eyes.  Then I remembered her dad was not there for her.  She was raised by her mother and continually disappointed by her dad.  I felt a moment of shame for telling my dad I loved him when I saw the gaze in her eyes.  That's when I realized the special gift I have because my dad cares.

I began to think of all of my other friends, co-workers, patients and acquaintances.  Many of them do not have relationships with their dads.  Their dads had re-married, beat their mothers, ran off with other women, sexually abused them or just missing in action.  Some of these people I know suffer from an emptiness and sense rejection that is difficult to heal. 

They have to live with the knowledge of someone that gave them life contributed nothing but pain to their existence.  I wonder if they look at strangers and think- is that my dad?  I wonder how different their lives would have been if their dads cared.  I wonder what the distance is between wholeness and brokenness? 

Now that I have come to this realization what does it mean for me?  Should I give extra compassion to those without dads?  Should I automatically assume a person is broken because their dads were absent?  Should I feel shame or guilt for having a dad that loves me?
 

Conclusions 

You were not responsible for choosing your dad.  God designed and designated each person a specific dad according to His purpose.  He knew what certain people would endure.  He also knew the potential each dad had to shape His creation.  It becomes the responsibility of each individual to use all of the good, the bad and the foul ugliness to become their best self. 

It is not easy walking through the pain of yesterday, but it has the ability to make today incredible.  Always remember you are not what anyone has done to you!  You are what God created you to be, now be courageous and become what God intended.  You have been set up for greatness! 

photos via: depressivedisorder.blogspot.com, mydoctor.daiserpermanente.org via Google images

Kick Defeat in the Face and Reach for the Stars!

Throughout life you are faced with many challenges.  These trails come in the form of job losses, divorce, death, discrimination, difficult people and just plain bad luck.  As obstacles and challenges present themselves choices have to be made.  Most people clearly see the injustices perpetrated by others when bad times come.  It is easy to see how co-workers treated you unfairly.  It is easy to blame your spouse because they are the ones who cheated.  It is easy to blame, but blaming gives away power.  Blaming allows others to have control of your life.  Try this perspective?

Each obstacle you face is an opportunity to excel. That's right.  When you are hardest hit do the right thing and develop the confidence you need to achieve your dreams.  How many times have you compromised when faced with mountains?  How many times did you throw in the towel because the task seemed impossible?  I am here to tell you that these times separate the boys from the men.  The girls from the women and the winners from the losers.  When you are hit dig deep and pull out that greatness inside of you to do the right thing.  This is how you reach for the stars!

Each time you blame others when things get tough, you lose a little bit of yourself.  Blaming another person for your problems allows you to be a helpless victim.  The problem is no one is coming to save you!  I mean the you on the inside, your soul. 

When you stop blaming others you can reach for the stars!  In this life we face some incredible challenges.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream of integration when it was legal to call him a nigger at work.  He could have given up on his dream and lived until he was 90.  This compromise would have killed his soul and made him a miserable person.  He would have lost self-respect and lived a life of shame.  Instead he reached for the stars and lived a shorter life with greatness.

You have this same greatness inside of you!  You may not be able to compare yourself to Dr. King, but I can!  God created you both for great things.  Your dreams may not get national headlines, but they can make a difference.  They can change your life and Empower you. 

Do not compromise your soul.  Do the right thing and reach for the stars!
photos via: thepositivelife.com, life-evolution.com via Google images

Restoration- The Promise of a New Day!

Restoration is the feeling of sunshine after a long cold rain.  It is vindication after a harsh, wrongful punishment.  It is like running into the arms of a loved one after years of silent separation.  It is like water touching the dry dirt of parched flowers.  It is like the smell of a baby after a bath and the first kiss of true love.

I am thankful for many things in my life, but I am in need of some restoration.  God has blessed me in many ways.  He has done things for me I am sure I do not deserve.  But one thing I need is restoration.  I need to experience the decay of vindictive rumors and the rise of truth.  I need to experience the rewards of my hard work pulled from under my feet.  I need to know that God is near me and has not left me ashamed.

I believe in God with all of me, but sometimes prolonged circumstances tear into my Peace of mind.  It is during these times of trying that my soul longs for the cool refreshing of God's restoration.  It is during these times that the Psalms of David comfort me.  I look forward to God's restoration.

In the meantime I will embrace the process of my growth.  I will stretch the elasticity of my faith and move forward with hope and determination.  The dry days are only for a season.  I look forward to sweet restoration!
photo via: visualforces.com via Google images

Enduring Tough Times When All Hope is Gone

How much can one person take?  Sometimes it seems that life is on a mission to destroy any happiness a person can experience.  Broken relationships, broken bank accounts, broken children, broken hearts and broken promises seem to be the only news coming in the mail and calling on the phone.  Plans for the future seem to be crumbling and betrayal sleeps with you at night as you try to escape pain in the comfort of your dreams.  But your dreams become nightmares and sleep refuses to sing a comforting lullaby.

The worse part is everyone around seems to be doing just fine.  They are planning for their futures, enrolling their children in college, buying new homes, cars and clothes.  They say be strong or have faith in God.  The only problem is hope is lost and the excruciating pain of life is crushing any faith in God's goodness.  New Year's resolutions, positive affirmations, meditation and even church are unable to penetrate the doom of another day.

How do you endure life when it seems to spit on you and your family?  One step at a time, one moment at a time, one tear at a time.  Sad and seemingly unfair times come upon everyone.  Being in the midst of turmoil is an often lonely place.  It is important to remember there are many people suffering.  You are note alone, even though it seems no one in the world can relate to your troubles.  Many are drudging through another day hoping for an end to their pain.

To minimize this type of pain is disrespectful.  To say it will okay is rude, what is okay about being screwed by life.  Having someone listen without judgment, this is sometimes the only relief a person can find.

To those of you feeling this level of pain, I say to you please hold on.  Please know that even if you have lost faith in God, He waiting for you when you are ready.  This season of life is sure to pass, hold on and take this message as hope reaching out.  The winter's of life are cold and rough, but the summer's of life are waiting for you.

Be strong on the days you can and fight your battles with integrity.
 


photos via: servingstrong.typepad.com, jameslaylon.wordpress.com