Life Volume 1: The Soul’s Right

I understand there are rules in place. I understand there are reasons for this. There are laws in our society and laws of nature. There are laws set upon us by government and other personal laws, which we follow because we are taught them. I know that laws are put into pace to prevent chaos and mayhem. 
Every so often, I think it is necessary to have the letter of the law rest for a moment. This is not to live lawless or to be defiant of the rules in place, but more, every so often the spirit should be allowed a moment of reprieve. Every so often, the soul needs a chance to scream and shout and run and play, like children do . . . remember?

Continue reading

Briefly

In my briefest way, I tell you this

The best sounds are quiet sounds. Like the sound of a baby’s breathing while sleeping on her father’s shoulder as he hold his child. Or maybe the best is the sound of your loved one sleeping next to you, which is virtually soundless, but yet in your heart, you can literally hear everything in the world.

The best sounds are the sounds of your loved one’s laugh because I swear this beats any antidepressant. This beats any drug because when she laughs, suddenly; all the world suspends for a minute and nothing else exists. Others may look and stare,but who cares because when she laughs (I swear) there is nothing else in the world quite like it

Continue reading

Finding The Lost Self

When there is nowhere left to fall and the there is no room between you and the bottom;when there is nothing left to lose, nothing left to be afraid of, and when the outcome of your downfall has overcome you and all you can do is withstand and endure, of all times necessary, this is the time when it is most necessary to stand up and be counted.

Continue reading

Faith

Sunup is about lift on my side of the mountain. I can see the band of light blue at the horizon. I am quiet now and listening to the sounds of my home, the heat, which clanks in the radiators, the wind, which I can hear when it gusts, and me,armed with my cup of coffee; I am content for the moment to breathe in and enjoy the stillness of morning.

I was asked by a reader if I believe in God, which I do, and we speak often and frequently about the moment and the tasks at hand. I was asked if I have faith, which I do, and at times, I realize that faith is not just a belief and that faith alone is not enough. Faith is also an action.

Continue reading

My Rebuttal:

Please excuse the rant but writing helps me feel better. This is for two men who are special and dear to me. They are friends but more they are both soldiers of their own battles:

I would like to address the overdoses

Two different men from two different towns told me about two separate events but both with the same outcome. And to both I said this we need to use this to sharpen our pencils because the rest of our life hasn’t been written yet.
And yes, this is sad. Yes, this hurts to see. And yes, there is an entire world out there that has no idea what’s going on.
And they’ll talk about the issue in Continue reading

Life Volume 1: The Thought Problem

I think first and foremost, the truth needs to be said that yes, it is accurate; you are all that you will ever need. Your body is equipped. Your mind is equipped. You have all that you need to live and live well. Somewhere though, deep, like a little seed planted inside your mind is the idea that tells you that something is missing.

Nothing is missing—

I watched Continue reading

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Bless us O Lord for these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive because all through the land, families will gather together and sit at tables, crowded with food, and the television will play and the news will show the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Aunts and Uncles, cousins, brother and sisters, friends from all around; we gather here on this day to give thanks for all that we have been given
We say thanks for the food and thanks for the warmth. Thanks for the roof above our head, the clothes on our backs, and the shoes on our feet.
We say thanks for the in-laws (or the outlaws if we regret them) and thanks to the makers of stuffing and mashed potatoes
Thanks for the Moms on full-time duty for they are truly underappreciated 

Thanks to all those who’ve braved the traffic and thanks to those who made it even when age or life’s predicaments might have placed them elsewhere Continue reading

Letters From A Son

It’s been a while since I wrote to you and with all that’s been going on and with the ups and downs, which I’m sure you remember how it goes, life has a way of getting away from us. Take now, for instance; I am up before dawn because there are things that need my attention before I leave for work.

Tomorrow is Continue reading

Life Volume 1: The Right to Persevere

There are pieces of advice we hear throughout our life, which we might hear a thousand times, but yet, at the same time it is as though we’ve never heard it once. Until one day, suddenly, our ears open and finally, we get it.
The same can be said for the cliche sayings we hear throughout our life, but one day, we hear them differently and just like that, a light comes on, and we get it. There was a grade school teacher of mine that once remarked, “Everything is impossible until it’s done.” Continue reading

A Note From the Blue Collar Guy

The sun comes up to signify another Monday. It is another day here in purgatory. I say this because I see this as a way-station. Another week begins, and of course, the ideas of what’s to come and what awaits me when I punch my time clock are beginning to filter through.

I am a blue collar man, which in reality, makes me no different from a white collar man. I am here to earn a living and to make a mutually beneficial exchange. This is what a job is. I give them my time and my work and in exchange, I Continue reading