“Love you gorgeous, I’ll be in there in ten minutes.”

It’s 2:00 A.M.  I just said that as Amy woke from her late night nap and staggered off to bed. I’ve said similar things hundreds of times.

Quirks

Schedules: Since we were married 27 years ago today I have gone to sleep second 98% of the time. Often times I am last to sleep and first one awake. We have almost always had different schedules.

After I wrote a mysilentscream post on not judging others I read Letting Go of Judging People By Leo Babauta. I liked it, and I thought that you would too.

Letting Go of Judging People 1

One of the best changes I’ve made to help me be happier is learning to see judging other people as a red flag.

Now, I’m not going to pretend I don’t ever judge other people — I think it’s either a built-in method all humans have, or something we develop because of built-in methods. We all judge people, and I’m not an exception.

Clear shot at an eight-point buck, missed.
Perfect moment for a first kiss, interrupted.
Business plan, rejected.
Cleaned the house, not good enough.
Sincere proposal, denied.
Studied hard, failed.
Doctor’s report, bad news.
Ran your best race, lost.

Life is filled with disappointments.
Life is filled with happiness-crushing hassles.

But that’s not the end of the story.

Despite our circumstances and doubts Happiness IS possible … for all of us.

Sometimes, the pursuit of happiness involves a change of mind, a new perspective, a reversal of direction. Sometimes it’s a mind-altering mysteries like, “great pain can become great possibilities and you can “pray your pain out.”

We’re all looking for happiness, and despite our doubts Happiness IS possible … for all of us.

Sometimes, the pursuit of happiness involves a change of mind, a new perspective, a reversal of direction. Sometimes it’s a mind-altering mystery like, “Great pain can become great possibilities.”

Pray Your Pain Out

There are many reasons I have chosen to follow Jesus Christ, but one of the nearest and dearest reasons is that despite my sins, shortcomings, and slanderous rants God has not blown me up with a bolt of lightning. Not that God ever threatened to do so, but you know sometimes I just think I deserved it.

We’re all looking for happiness. Fortunately, as I explained Monday, Happiness IS possible for all of us.

Sometimes, we discussed yesterday, the pursuit of happiness involves a change of mind, a new perspective, a reversal of direction.

The life of a man named Joseph was certainly challenging. He was someone whose life, heart and soul was challenged at every turn.

Great Pain Can Become Great Possibilities

Joseph, the eleventh of twelve brothers, was disliked by his older brothers. He lacked tact. He lacked humility. Despite his flaws, as God has done many times, God uses the unlikely to do the extraordinary. 

One of my favorite wedding dances is the Cha-Cha Slide. It’s an easy to follow song with an accompanying dance. The song includes the instructions: Reverse-Reverse.

Last night I had written “The Reverse Game” for this morning – I’m smiling even as I type this – but (pun-intended) God reversed my course. Spending time with God can be like that, a dance. God has the lead and we’re trying to follow along.

In my dance with God one of my daily routines includes reading my Bible. I often include one of several daily devotionals I own. This morning I read Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling entry and it seemed a perfect followup to yesterday’s Happiness IS Possible.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment

Contentment Leads To Generosity

Note: This post in NOT intended to brag or boast.

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum

Instead of focusing on what we don’t have, it’s important to be grateful for the amazing gifts we already have.

Loving family
Faithful friends
Good health

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1.  Don’t Hold Grudges 
2.  Take Care Of Your Health.
3.  Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking

Today is the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday.  A nationwide marketing “holiday” to trigger sales in anticipation of holiday gift-giving and gatherings.

I hate Halloween!
I love Halloween!
Both sides equally passionate.

Here’s my take, I love people visiting our house.

Every year on October 31st many children and adults come to my front door filled with hope.

They come hoping for a tasty treat.
They come hoping for something to make their life better.

What they get is a smile, a sense of community, and a moment to realize that the world is a better place than it seems.