When my nephew was born I told my sister that he was beautiful. My dad said, "He can't be beautiful; he's a boy." Indeed he was right, but he missed the intent of my message. My nephew was beautiful because life was just beginning for him. Everything was new, each experience was going to mold and the shape him. He was completely reliant on his mother and father for protection, for love, for survival. He only had one form of communication. Anything that he needed could only be communicated one way. His eyes roamed rooms and landscapes taking in everything. Sometimes I feel that adults are just as defenseless as a child. We exist in a world where something new can and does happen everyday when we take the time to notice.
I experienced the emotions that connect to being wanted, needed and missed. I would not trade any of those moments.
I was encouraged hearing a friend's testimony; she spoke victory over her situation, stood strong in the midst of her trying obstacle, yet embraced and received the prayer I petitioned our Lord for.
A close friend of mine had a baby this week. I held him in my arms. He licked the roof of his mouth and lips savoring one of his first meals (he'd just finished being fed by his mother...I know what you guys were thinking). His aunt said, "I've heard a lot of stories about you. My sister says good things." There I was, a broad shouldered, husky, stout man reduced to smiling to hide from crying; a kind word does go a long way.
I played a little basketball this week; I miss being able to play that game the way that I used to.
I've had conversations with someone who's very matter of fact. The things that are said make them someone I just want to avoid. Sometimes, I don't even want to acknowledge their presence. How terrible is that? I spent a week navigating through the responsibility of being acknowledged and the privilege of being noticed. There are a lot of people out there who don't experience being needed, or wanted, or missed. There are lots who don't know what it is like to acknowledged. What's more ironic is that I've spent the last few weeks belabored over my disdain for their antics and their words and they don't even know it. I've wasted time and energy putting my dislikes in a bottle that's slowly churning and moving towards bitterness. If it's allowed to ferment it will turn to hate. I believe it is time for me to just let it go. Sometimes it's not that simple, but in reality it is that simple.
I was sitting in the chair at the dentist's office. The metal hook was scraping my teeth. It sounded like a medieval knight sharping his sword with a stone. My ears were ringing and all of my muscles were tense; my body felt like I'd spent 1/2 an hour doing isometric exercises. My dentist then proceeded to say something profound to me. I marinated on it a while; taking risks means there's a chance of failure, but the reward for success makes it all worth it.
Here are some random questions...
Is R. Kelly a free man today because his 'alleged' victims were black?
Why are we so subject to fear; fear leads to buying things we don't need because we think we'll need them to trying to fix things that aren't broken because were afraid it will...and the list goes on and on and on.
Prince said in a song, "Money won't buy you happiness, but it will pay for the search." I've been lucky enough to find it, how do you help those who haven't?
Children are the epitome of impressionable; attention should always be paid to what is said.
An old man asked me yesterday why people don't pick up pennies, I told him that I do - enough of them will make a dollar. He told me he survived the depression, and that his father was making $15 a week. He went on to say how his family lost their home because his father couldn't afford to pay his $35 a month mortgage. Have times changed all that much?
It is OK to let people love you; get yourself out of the way so you can receive it when it happens.
I heard a saying on Sportscenter about a young man, 18 years old, who lost his life to cancer; courage + belief = life. My dad would always tell me I'm courageous when I'd do something that I was deftly afraid of. Life itself is a gift, a true, true gift of God.
Some people wish for money, I pray I never wish for love.
James Taylor was right; shower the people you love with love...I sound like a hippie huh?
As I was leaving a friends house yesterday, I went and hugged Jazz. I said, "Bye buddy." Her little sister, 2 and 1/2 years old followed behind me. When I finished my hug, she wrapped her arms around her older sister's legs and repeated, "Bye Buddy." She gave me a high five and then said, "Tunkle Bewillis, gib Daddy one!" She lifted his hand and laughed when I gave her dad a high five too. She is a beautiful child. I saw the vibrant appreciation of life from the elderly and impressionable minds of the young yesterday, I loved every moment of it.
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