A WELCOME NOTE:
Greetings, and a very warm welcome to you. Thank you for taking some time to share in my philosophical foibles. It's my hope that within these entries you might find encouragement, challenge, laughter, counsel and companionship for the journey ahead. Carpe Diem!
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I was thinking the other day about a couple of moments in my life that gave me a glimpse of the kind of person I desire to be. I dunno, I'm guessing we all have these kinds of experiences at some point or another? Not to say that I'm doing these ideals justice a whole lot of the time. God knows I fail dismally, regularly. Be that as it may, the fact remains that these moments were for me, indicative of traits and virtues that are worth aspiring to.
Not too long ago I was watching TV. It was a talk show where some young, talented and aspiring actress was being interviewed. She was being asked to comment about the recent news that she had been approached by Playboy to do a full spread (excuse the pun) in one of their upcoming issues. She mentioned that she hadn't yet reached a decision about the invitation, but that regardless of her choice, it was just such a honor to be approached by this Pornography Mogul to pose nude for them. Such a honor...
I casual flip through prime-time television these days will reveal anything from a bunch of young people occupying a house...vying for the opportunity to win the acceptance of a bisexual exotic dancer and soft core porn model...to the daily ins and outs of life in the Playboy mansion...to documentaries and interviews with hard core porn stars. What a greased pole we've embraced (excuse that pun too). Our society's downward spiral into immorality and self-indulgence seems to show no signs of abating any time soon. And in the process, impressionable minds of young and old alike, desperate for something or someone to affix their passions to, lose or forfeit their God given identity and worth in exchange for superficiality and deceptive promises of happiness and excitement. Such a honor...
Either we will anchor souls to the unshakable, immutable goodness of God, or we are doomed to drift aimlessly in an ocean of vice and venom...ultimately to be capsized and drowned by the storm of sin, self and sickness. We would all do well to relearn and reclaim the meaning and implications of words like honor. God help us all.
There are a few simple things in life that make me feel like a million bucks. The kinds of things that, when they happen, remind me of the kind of man I always wanted to be. I was thinking back lately to some of these situations from my past.
A little 3 year old girl, hair as red, big and curly as a little Annie, a total stranger to me, seeing me from across a crowded room and running at top speed to wrap herself around my leg and not want to let go. To this day, I have no idea why that happened, but I know how it made me feel...trustworthy, innocent. Or like driving a beautiful girl home that I had just had a first date with, and seeing her fall asleep peacefully in the seat next to me, because she was totally convinced of the fact that she was safe in my company.
Or like in recent days, picking up and hugging a friend's little baby girl, and have her nestle her head into my shoulder and hold on close. These simple things are a beacon of light to me...an indication of the things that are worth aspiring to...of characteristics worth pursuing, of the kind of man that in the deepest part of me I hope to increasingly become. Noble. Gentle. Honorable. Thank you lady and babes...hint taken.
