Going Down this Lonely Road

Well, it’s midnight again,

and this lonely road stretches out before me

like a velvet carpet to nowhere;

as the fog in my eyes gets in the way

and I don’t know where I’m going.


Twenty years gone by now,

and a lifetime of memories

flows down my face in a violent rage

like a thunderstorm, washing away

a tender moment with you.


Oh, life just got in the way

and kept me from seeing who you really are,

So now I must pay.

God knows I never meant to hurt you,

But that does not seem to matter anymore,

As the distant flash of red lights

points the way towards home,

and I’m still going down this lonely road without you.


Oh, fear has gotten the best of me,

Though I pray for God’s grace to comfort me,

and a distant voice keeps calling:

“Son, keep going, I’ve never left your side;

simply believe and I shall appear,

like a rainbow in the morn.”

But the fact remains,

I’m still traveling down this lonely road without you,

and the tolling of the hour tells me it’s four a.m..


God help me, I hear children laughing in my dreams;

singing silly songs while my heart is torn apart,

as the darkness still stretches out before me

and Christmas eve is one more obstacle to face

along this lonely road.


Oh, sweetheart I am tempted

to share my words with you,

but it seems you never understood them before,

so why should I believe you’ll grasp them now?

Only faith and a lonely road ahead keep me going,

as the distant light of time lifts me towards heaven,

where tears turn in to streets of gold,

and I’ll never have to wipe them away anymore.


…And that velvet carpet leads to an open window

as I close another door in my life.

God love you, I miss you, good night.

For Better or Worse

You know the old cliché: “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” Well, a morning in court will bring a lot of things to the surface, especially when it comes to a long relationship that ends with so much emotional energy tied to it. I hate to call it baggage, but we carry so much around inside of ourselves from the time we are born to the present day that it is inevitable that snags and snares come along to test our mettle and push us reluctantly in a new direction. Today is definitely one of those life changing days.

I paraphrase a song from church:

“Come back to me, with all your heart; don’t let the past, keep us apart. Long have I waited for your coming back to live joyfully our new life.”

I don’t know why these lyrics came to me, but for some reason they say so much about the relationships we have with each other and with our creator god. Yes, there are tumultuous times that come along like a storm or natural disaster, but in the aftermath we find hope in the things that make us who we are; faith, family and friends. I embrace these anchors of strength today as I turn forward away from the wind and rain of the maelstrom and embrace the love of creation that surrounds me. I look to the wooded path and the glass-like calm of a silent lake in solitude and in hope for better days ahead. I put away the anger and frustration of misunderstanding and the hurt that resulted from its insidious nature. I pray for peace of mind and the energy to rebuild something new from out of the ashes. The flood waters have receded and the dawn breaks with sunlight to guide to a new horizon of opportunity.

I once felt so apart from the world that it made me blind to the views of others, especially to the one who stole my heart and made me whole, but now I must let go of this and be like the reed which bends to the will of the wind. As Reinhold Niebuhr so eloquently states in his well known prayer; “God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change what I can and wisdom to know the difference.” I hope that today finds you well fed, well loved and full of the many blessings that our creator so wants for each of us to possess in life. For better or worse, let tomorrow be brighter than today and may God bless you with abundance of joy. Amen. Witt

                                           Photo: Cindy Aquino

Packing

Have you ever felt like it was time to pack it in; that all of your efforts, emotional, physical and spiritual have all been in vain? Well, that is exactly the way I feel today. It is like I have been misunderstood for so long that I have started to question my own mission and purpose in life. It is to the point where prayer, counseling or sharing a few feelings with a trusted friend does not cut it anymore. I am like a deaf, dumb and blind man groping in the dark to find meaning in a game of pin ball. The words, actions and deeds of a lifetime just seem to bounce around each other, finally ending up in the gutter down below the glitter of lights and ringing of bells. I find myself alone this morning longing for one last chance to make things right. What else do I stand to lose?

Words can only describe so much, right? Well, I find great comfort in sitting quietly behind this keyboard clicking out a few thoughts that do not come out right as I try to speak them. “Tongue tied’ might be the correct analogy, but somehow the act of combining silent thought with physical effort brings out the essence of my day to day life. One might say that writing is my lifeline or life preserver. The ship may be going down, but the will to survive is the source of buoyancy that keeps hope afloat.

I hope that someone reads this entry today and finds comfort in knowing that they are not alone and that there is another soul out there that just might understand them. All the plaques or diplomas on the wall cannot give true meaning or purpose in life if there is no acknowledgement behind the effort that it took to achieve them. You could say that I am at this very crossroads today bargaining with the devil to please make it all go away for a chance to start all over. I know this is not possible so pounding out a few random ideas seems to fit the bill for my troubled soul. As long as there is hope in the world there will be a way to make it through one more day within the maelstrom. God be with all those who struggle with the real storm raging along the coastline of our country and for those raging against their own inner storm.

Festering Wounds

I remember as a kid the many times when I went out to play and skinned a knee or elbow and ran home to have my mom make it better. Back then we spent long summer days riding our bicycles, exploring creek beds, fishing and swimming at the local lake or pool. It never failed then that we were prone to getting hurt once in a while as life is an adventure fraught with unforeseen perils. As a Boy Scout we were taught to ‘Be Prepared” for anything by first being aware that anything can happen. Mom knew this by instinct and always kept a plentiful supply of bandages and a bottle of mercurochrome handy just in case. The worst part was having the wound scrubbed out with soap and water while it was explained that if it got infected we could be in for a whole lot more like lock jaw or tetanus. Just the sound of them seemed to make the cleansing procedure a little easier to endure. Relationships can resemble in a similar way the idea of festering wounds, especially when our feelings get hurt, egos bruised or we do not get our need for love and understanding met by those closest to us.

In the dark recesses of our memories, we can all point out a time when someone hurt us with harsh words, an unkind gesture or made us the punch line of a joke. As we go along in life, those typical realities can become far more subtle as they are more likely to occur behind closed doors in the form of rumors or innuendo. False friends can become secret enemies as well as poor habits become a source of pain for the ones we love most. Neglecting a relationship founded on trust and bound by vows can be the most insidious form of festering wounds we can ever experience. The most difficult part can be simply realizing that we have hurt someone, albeit unintentional and then taking the steps necessary to start the healing process. Even though things appear alright on the outside, a closer look reveals the redness that surrounds the scabbed over wound and a gentle touch emits the unhealthy warmth of infection as the fight to remove the unwanted pathogen rages inside the body. Our hearts and minds can be just as vulnerable as our skin when it comes to being hurt emotionally. The most effective way to deal with these situations is to get them out into the open and allow the healing power of sincerity to scrub out the infection of guilt and pain. As they say, sometimes leaving the wound open to the air is the best way to promote healing as opposed to placing a bandage over it right away.

For me, recent events have taught these very lessons. Though painful to accept, I must take responsibility for the harm I have caused and the hidden wounds that have gone untreated. While I cannot heal a scar, I can be a force of healing for the existing hurts that have been scabbed over in more recent times. I have also found that regret can be a motivating factor rather than a point of contention used to block the healing process. As the saying goes; “You cannot un-ring a bell,” but you can silence the echo with effort, compassion and love. My hope is that more people will discover this incredible power of healing that they possess by just being human beings willing to face the reality of festering wounds. Why let them go when all it takes is love. It is the greatest gift from God that when freely given can change the world.

When a Tree Falls

You know the old saying: “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The same question applies to the saying about the bear, but I will not go there. The point I am trying to make is about the nature of silent suffering. Just because a person hides their emotions from the world does not mean that the feelings are not real or that they are not capable of feeling what others feel. I am that tree and I feel every leaf that turns when the season changes and I hear every subtle sound that each one makes as it gathers lifeless and beautiful upon the ground. Autumn has that effect as it reminds us of the cyclic nature of life and challenges those who appreciate its lesson that change is inevitable. We cannot keep the leaves from falling, but we can lessen the blow of the wind by seeking shelter in the closeness of the forest.

Family, friends and faith lead us on our journey in search of meaning. Marriage offers the opportunity to bind ourselves like a tiny atom to another to form an element essential for life to continue on in greater scale than one mere particle floating in space. Children are the by-product of this coming together and so the cycle continues for generation upon generation until the energy that first produced it fades into oblivion. Friends help put all of this into perspective as we share our common experiences and reflect a higher purpose other than mere survival. Faith gathers all of the known and unknown to form a sense of the spiritual flow common to all living things. It is this bonding nature of faith that propels us to greater meaning beyond this two dimensional space.

An example of this expanded notion of life exists in the growth rings of a tree. You cannot see them unless you cut down the tree or sever a branch from the trunk. When exposed, you can count the seasons or years when the tree experienced plentiful rainfall or drought conditions. The bark of the tree shows scarring from whatever occurrence damaged it like the initials of two young lovers who happened by and carved their affection for one another. Whatever the case, a tree heals itself by growing over the wound so that it may continue on living and what is left behind is a reminder of the injury. Again, I am a tree of complexity with once open wounds healed over with the seasons of time and one day I shall fall. And so the question remains: When I fall, will anyone be there to hear it? The answer is every human being’s philosophical challenge and legacy to the generations that follow.

When the Well Runs Dry

I learned by the example set by my father many years ago the meaning and process of work. Dad got up every morning before the crack of dawn, dressed himself in the kitchen so as not to wake my mom and headed off into the darkness to a GM foundry some thirty miles away. Usually, by three thirty in the afternoon or so he would return home, or because of overtime, we would not see him till later that night. And so this cycle repeated itself for decades until dad retired in 1992.

When I think about the choices I had to make at the end of high school, the last place I wanted to end up was in a dingy, dirty foundry where trading time for pay was an acceptable means to an end. With six kids to feed, clothe and send off to school every day, my dad had few other options but to sacrifice the best years of his life to a system that was known as “an honest living.” What I remember is that there were times I felt like I did not have a father because he missed so many of the events and special occasions in my life that were important. Not to sound like a bitter and resentful son, but somehow I knew deep down that there was a better way than being a slave to the time clock just to say at the end of the day that there was food on the table and the mortgage payment was up to date. There just had to be a better way than living life as though the well was running dry and the only system available was the “bucket brigade.”

When the well runs dry and the town needs water, where do people turn to meet their need? Traditional wisdom says that each man or woman picks up a bucket each day, makes their way to the river and brings back a portion of what is needed to fill the well. Day upon day, week upon week and year upon year this system is repeated and ingrained into the minds and generations of children who follow in the footsteps of their parents, until someone comes along who brings a whole new way to fill the well. In the spirit of innovation for which man is known for, this rare individual takes a long look at how things have been done and says to himself: “There must be a better way.”

The end result was probably one of the most significant feats of engineering and accomplishments of all time. The ancient Romans discovered that bringing water to the people through aqua ducts or pipelines was not only a more efficient way than simply hauling buckets, but it allowed for more time to come up with even more new ways of doing things. Now some built cities and towns closer to rivers or other bodies of water at the risk of flood and other perils that threatened life and property, but there remained those who thought in ways that accounted for such things and created lasting civilizations that thrive right up to the present day.

Our founding fathers were such innovators and thinkers who resolved to improve not only themselves, but the lives of others in their communities and nation as a whole. They refused to believe that life lived under royal decree was the best way to organize a nation. They saw freedom and liberty as a better way to encourage and inspire people to make a better life. They saw the need for laws and government as a means to organize society to protect people from tyranny and oppression, but not as a sole means to meet every need, but as a way to encourage individual responsibility and leadership at every level of society.

And so we return to the well once again to fill it with fresh ideas and an abundance of reliable information to feed the thirst of those who seek more time to spend with family and friends to build a greater sense of community and prosperity. This innovation throws out the time clock mentality of buckets and builds on the principle of pipelines where a continuous flow of water feeds the whole twenty four hours a day. If there were any gift a humble servant leader could give to others, it would be the gift of time, freedom and prosperity where families could thrive and communities come together. This is my hope through the LIFE Team approach and I invite all who have ever asked the question: “There must be a better way” to come aboard and take the wheel of change to new and brighter horizons.

Thoughts in Autumn Moonshine

The moon shines high above in a cloudless sky as the cool hint of fall fills the air. Crickets chirp and distant horns proclaim the ebb and flow of east and west bound freight trains rumbling along on their journey towards Cleveland, Chicago and points far and wide. My thoughts converge on weighty issues of the past day and life in general.

I reflect upon words spoken and read that deal with healing broken hearts and dreams of the ideal life. I wonder if it is too late to bring back a withering vine neglected and left to die as a relationship does for want of love and attention. I begin to pray for a higher power to come down and refresh my soul in reassurance that “With God all things are possible.”

And like a warm blanket I pull up to my neck, the call of leadership sinks in to calm the shivering reality that all is not well in the household. Amidst this autumn eve I am challenged to believe and live up to the life giving assurance that commands my attention and ultimate action. Leadership: Leading others while following my heart. Educating myself with good information and acting “as a poser and not a faker; determined to make a difference. Emotionally intelligent enough to show compassion and serve others; responsible for actions taken and sharing what I have with others; time, talent and treasure. To honoring relationships, especially with my spouse and modeling integrity in how I live my life; and finally, placing all at the foot of the cross of Christ Jesus for the sake of others.

We are all in a position of leadership whether we believe it or not. We are leaders first at home with children and spouses and it carries over into our professional careers, relationships with friends and coworkers. And we are followers of whatever principles or beliefs we may hold; faith, attitude, self image, political affiliation and so on.

The quality of our leadership depends on our willingness to accept responsibility for our actions for the good of others; for true leadership is not self serving solely for personal gain or edification; true leadership is about community and caring for the good of all. The rest is icing on the cake.

To Rascals, To Love and the Wheel of Life

Short and sweet is sometimes better than going on and on in circles trying to make a point or tell a story.

To all of those Rascals out there like me who try our True Love's patience,
who buck the system and believe in another way.

To the love that keeps us going and reminds us to keep on the straight and narrow road.

To the faith that tells us we're not wrong in trying another way.

To freedom from want and not thinking we're entitled just because life has dealt us a tough blow.

To overcoming fears and the course ahead that saves...

if we just cling to the wheel of our faith, family and friends.

To following the way towards life's abundant end.

Amen.

 To Chris Brady: for the rascal leader I now see in me and to Joyce; the love of my life.


http://youtu.be/BW9zMSwKIdU

Hard Truths, Happy Memories and a Starry Sky

Back in July of this year I reached a milestone that is still giving me fits. You’ll know what I mean if you have ever gotten an AARP application in the mail and your hair is turning gray and you realize that mid-life has finally caught up with you. Well, turning fifty has presented itself with two major options, the optimist or the pessimist. Now, if you have ever met my Dad then you know what one of the two options looks like; at least I know anyways. My point is that by looking at the glass for hours and trying to decide which way the liquid inside moves you to think and act is a sheer waste of time. There is nothing like the present to say: “So what, I am going to move ahead and be the person I am and I am going to improve on this classic model to make it better than ever.” Henry Ford was no fool when he invented a better way to build cars, make them affordable to the masses and not let age slow him down.

Accepting ourselves as we go through life is an ongoing challenge, especially as we adjust to the many truths that hit us in the face. For me, getting older and realizing I have spun my tires for far longer than I should have is tough to accept. What I mean is that I have gotten stuck in a vicious cycle of doing the same old thing and getting the same results; all too often at great personal and financial distress. The problem is I have never honestly addressed the truths I learned as a child about myself. Whether true in reality or not, I finally had the revelation that very few if anyone has ever believed in me. When I struggled in school, there were tutors and special teacher aids that handed out flash cards and corrected my spelling. When I failed to make the little league team, I don’t remember anyone getting out and coaching me to make the team the next year. What I do remember is that I began to lower my standards and expect less of myself and from life. But the last thing I want to accomplish today is to blame anyone or make more excuses for not making my hidden dreams a reality. Another thing is that there were far more happy memories from my childhood than bad, and that is what I want to draw from rather than the negatives.

I remember camping trips, fishing on Lake Erie and earning my Cub Scout Arrow of Light. There were sunny days and snow storms that have yet to be outdone and sledding down hills of pure ice enough to scare the daylights out of you. I remember my first crush and the agony of realizing she did not feel the same about me, but they have shaped who I am today which is OK, but there is still room for improvement.

Last week we said farewell to an American hero and pioneer of the space age, Neil Armstrong. He was a self proclaimed “White sock, pocket protector wearing nerdy engineer,” yet he achieved a milestone of epic proportion in the annals of human history. I too have the opportunity to become more than the sum of my past and the quiet shy kid who clung to the fringe like a sad wall flower. I have a choice to make that keeps me comfortable where I am and secretly miserable, or I can dare to be more, do more and allow for dreams to become more than a mere starry sky of whim. I can make that sky tell a story of hope and promise just by rearranging the positions of those stars any way I choose. Just like children who sit on a grassy hill and turn clouds into dragons or puppy dogs, I can dream and make them real. My dream for you is all the same, but you have the power to turn water into wine if you so choose because miracles in life really do come true. God bless. Witt

A Wink at the Moon and a Lesson in Humility

This is a good week to look up at the night sky and wink at the FULL MOON alright; I have every night so far! It seems brighter for some reason or I just have not appreciated it enough until now. It seems so close, yet it took tremendous effort, determination, faith, nerves of steel and a willingness to go where no one has gone before. That is what makes America so great, we dream big and we make it happen because we work together to make it so.


I posted this on my facebook page regarding the passing of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong. Being an Ohio native who watched the moon landing, I will forever remember it as the week I turned seven years old. Not yet a Cub Scout at the time, I remember the collector glasses that you could get at the local store that commemorated the event. It was not until later in life that I learned that Neil Armstrong was an Eagle Scout as were many of the men who went into space. What an honor to attend the same camp as Neil Armstrong with my son on the fortieth anniversary of the moon landing. Now that Mr. Armstrong has passed these surly bonds of earth, I am compelled to put a few things into perspective.

It does not take a hero to have faith in something greater than yourself or superhuman strength to overcome adversity in life; it only takes a dream and a little help from a few like minded people with the audacity to think that anything is possible. With all of the political jockeying going on in our country right now, I am realizing that my beliefs, dreams, aspirations and hopes in life are tied to a few simple ideas that have been passed down through time immemorial.

America as we know it began very different than the way we see in the modern era. People came for various reasons and circumstances. Some were born here and were open to the idea that sharing a place to live was a natural part of how human beings behaved. For others, freedom for themselves, their children and future generations gave them the resolve to endure an arduous ocean voyage, sickness and even death to have the opportunity to live in peace. Still, for others the choice was not their own and they reached these shores in bondage and destined to live out their lives in slavery. And still, many came as a result of war or the slim hope that opportunity would bring prosperity to their humble lives.

As I sit here composing my thoughts this morning, I cannot remember an instance in the past eighteen years where I had to practically beg to keep the lights on in my home or contemplated the value of it being less than what I owed. It is indeed a reality of the modern age that people are suffering in this great land from financial crisis that is not of their own making. Jobs are few and wages dwindling, crops are failing due to drought and storms pound the southern shores and threaten yet again the well being of those who endured the same not long ago. Yet, in spite of all of this there is hope in the life and death of one man who dared to push the envelope of fate and emerged victorious shoulder to shoulder with his crew and the thousands who gave their collective minds a shot at infamy.

Yes, I have stood outside in my back yard all this week and winked at the moon for Neil Armstrong’s sake, for I think we learn from his courage and humility that life is a delicate balance of faith. hope and a tiny morsel of insanity that pushes us as a nation to go beyond what the radical extremists tell us is not worthy of God’s attention and that our free thinking is an infidel’s folly. No, we are one nation under God and we will continue on as a lesson that Neil Armstrong taught us by example. And so, let us wink at the moon tonight and be humbled beneath a heavenly sky full of possibilities. Let us throw into the fire that which does not grow our determination and watch it fade away in a vapor.

Lost and Found

You see them posted at elementary schools, churches and camps, a sign: Lost and Found. I think that the older I get the more things I tend to lose; maybe it is because I have more on my mind or that I have accumulated more stuff to keep track of. In any case, we all have lost something at one time or another and eventually found it wherever we last saw it or someone has brought it back to us. On the other hand, there are things we will never see again either because what we have lost is somewhere we cannot get to or because it was destroyed. One thing that never goes away is the love of God.

We may stray from the flock and get lost in the ways of the world, or we may simply lose track of our journey in life because of the pitfalls and detours that send us off on a whole new direction. My life seems to revolve around these detours, and yet, I have gone nowhere. Yes, my faith has been challenged, my body beaten and my ego bruised, but one thing remains constant; the presence of a higher power within that is renewed every time I enter in presence and prayer.

My wife has been a model to me for her daily devotion and dedication to setting aside time for reflection, journaling and silent prayer. But even this has not kept her from struggling with all of the worldly concerns that take away the joy and intimacy from our marriage. It seems as though we have lost something precious or that we are being challenged to accept something brand new into our relationship that only God can provide. I am writing about it today because I do not know how else to deal with the sense of failure I feel about my life. Maybe I am just feeling sorry for myself for having made poor choices about finances, work or the unfortunate circumstances that have placed more burdens on my wife. All I can say to her is “I’m sorry.”

Today, I read from the gospels about how the least among us becomes the greatest and how the lost are sought out and brought back into the fold. Well, I am feeling a little lost right now, especially since things have not gone well at home, but I cannot allow this to put my love out of reach or to destroy a relationship that has shown me the greatest joy. And so I take up my daily burden and admit my faults and failings and ask my Savior to forgive all I have done and failed to do for the sake of being found once again. May the love of God bring you peace and find you well this day. Amen

The Olympic Hangover

In the city of London, the first full day after the Olympics has to feel like a massive hangover. While the world watched a successful and carefully edited version of the events that took place, I wonder how the average citizen of London dealt with the traffic delays, huge wondering crowds and the massive media attention that swarmed their city. I cannot help wondering if most Londoners are feeling a collective sigh of relief that it is over and that they can get on with their lives.

I know in my own life there have been times when I looked forward to a particular event that took months to plan and prepare for that suddenly came and went before I had a chance to fully process in my mind. Kind of like the day after a wedding when the bride and groom have gone off to share some time away from the daily grind of life to solidify their bond to each other. While it is a relief to know that everything turned out as planned, there is that let down of knowing the day is past and all that remains is a collection of photographs and memories to remind of that wonderful time. Funny, how I remember that it rained on my own wedding day, but it is not what I chose to focus on afterwards. They say that rain is a blessing for a wedding day so I guess that is what I stored away in my memory banks about that special occasion. Is there a special day that you can recall in your own life?

The lessons we learn and the memories we cherish are but fleeting examples of what “living large” is all about. We cannot spend all of our time looking forward to that big event to come along to get us motivated to live. It is the every day events of our lives that all too often get passed up and we forget to appreciate the little things that make life so precious. I hope that there are more things to remember for Londoners than what was displayed over the telee during the last two weeks. I am sure there were babies born, weddings performed and work that was done just as there were walks in the park, prayers said and tears wiped away.

Let us all remember to take a few moments out of our daily lives to appreciate every little thing that makes us who we are and challenges us to be. We certainly do not receive a medal for being a good parent or hard worker, but we are blessed with life and the opportunity to grow closer to the one who created us in his image. Let us pray for preparedness and being appreciative for every moment that life gives us, for time is short yet a gift all the same.

The Thrill of Victory and the Agony…

I remember as a kid watching ABC sports on television. They always started out with the voice of Jim Mckay announcing the introduction with video of various sports events. And probably the most famous words in broadcast sports: “The Thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” I remember the Russian weight lifter boldly pushing an enormous barbell over his head and the unlucky ski jumper sliding off the end of the ramp.

We all have experienced our own versions of victory and defeat; we surely do not need to watch the Olympics on television to know what it looks like or feels when life throws us an unexpected curve ball. There are moments like the Chinese hurdler who tried valiantly to overcome injury only to fail clearing the first hurdle in a qualifying race or the runner who gave every last ounce of effort only to finish fourth place and out of medal contention. But eventually our attention is diverted to the athlete who overcomes past pain and defeat to accomplish a lifelong dream of draping themselves in the flag of their home country. These often times become the image that sticks with us as we turn off the television set and settle in for a long nights sleep.

I have seen my own share of the thrill and agony of life on and off the field, but I need to remember to temper my public displays of complaint about the unfortunate as there are always people out there who have had it far tougher than I have. My friend Michael comes to mind as I recently found out that he lost his wife of twenty four years. While it is difficult to read his postings on facebook about the realities of loneliness and heart ache, I am glad he can share his feelings with those he calls friends. Just as the sprinter who finishes the race and sees his or her name appear first on the big screen, I know that life also rewards us with golden moments to cherish like the birth of a child or the moment we find the love of our lives.

Our creator God has given us a wonderful technique in which to teach us the ways of the world. He gives us perspective so that at the end of the day we can sit in our own version of the sunset and balance out the beauty and harsh realities of life on earth. He gives us the wonders of nature and the hugs of our loved ones to put things as they should be so that we can keep on living with hope and the knowledge that with agony comes victory.

Peace and love. Witt

P.S. Here's that video I mentioned. Are you old enough to remember this?

http://youtu.be/P2AZH4FeGsc

The Gift of Rain and Postage

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.


e. e. cummings

Positive thoughts are the most life giving gift we can give ourselves, especially when things are not going well in our lives. When we look upon nature in all its grandeur, it is hard to not believe that something all knowing, all powerful and watchful is presiding over us. As the rain finally fell upon my desperately drought ridden back yard last night, I could almost hear the trees and grass give a collective sigh of relief. Even though the sky lit up and belched a terrifying rumble that shook the very foundation of my home, I knew the corn would welcome more than a drink to cool parched and withering leaves, but an electrifying boost of creative energy as well. And so we rise to meet a new and glorious day; hopeful, renewed and longing for more insight like a rainbow outstretched on a distant horizon.



I apologize for not posting last week, but I was on a camping trip with my two boys. Unfortunately, I broke an arm while attempting to navigate a mountain bike trail and have been a bit incapacitated ever since. I hope to keep on in spite of having to be so much more patient getting dressed and performing the daily tasks that we all take for granted, like dressing and bathing ourselves. I am also reminded how much pain can affect and redirect our patience for the tiny annoyances that come along during the course of a day’s time. It is indeed a comfort to read E.E. Cumming’s quote above and to be reassured that God has all things in the palm of his hand. I thank you Aunt Jane for the simple gift of honest words and something as subtle as a postage stamp. Bless you!

Thoughts on the Lessons Learned from History

It is for each of us as citizens of the United States of America to raise the banner for which so many have fought and died to preserve. Will you be one of them, at least for today?


From the recesses of an old soul that lies within, I transcribe the thoughts and emotion of a nation’s turbulent history and the lessons learned therein. Why is it that politicians, no matter how learned or distinguished in their civilian professions, become like pawns in a game of give and take and partisan rhetoric? I am sickened to think that after more than two hundred years our republic is on the verge of ruin like the weather worn edifice of Greece or Rome. I am distraught to consider the old adage true that all great democracies built on individual freedoms and liberties are doomed to repeat the sins of ages past and crumble down upon them selves. Are the words of Founding Fathers merely an idea or theory printed on parchment to appease the riotous crowd whose cry for independence is muffled by tyranny and oppression? I call upon the highest ideals of men and women to transform this great land to its original intent and to sustain the banner “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We trust.”

From the grave I heard my ancestor cry: "I carried the orders from our Commanding General Washington to the bloody fields where our brethren lie distraught, wounded and dying.”Don't give up the fight!" he said, "Don't give up the fight!" And the men emerged from their tents, straightened up their soiled and worn cloaks and proceeded to pursue the dream of liberty for all! I awoke in tears to the echoes of defeat from our lofty Capital's Hills.

Today, July 3, 2012, we prepare to celebrate not only the founding of a brave new continent prescribed and ordained by God to lead a floundering world towards the ideal of “All Men are Created Equal, That they are endowed by their creator certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” but also to this oath; “We pledge our fortunes, our lives and our sacred honor.” Let us remember these words and not let “politics as usual” become the epitaph for this great land of opportunity. Let the sins of the present and past not burden us any longer and let us learn from the lessons that greed, corruption and want teach us about the worldly aspirations of the flesh. Let our spirits soar with eagles and proclaim “freedom” as our battle cry once more. Peace- Witt

Foxes and Fowls

Foxes have holes

Fowls’ their nests

But no place he,

his head to rest.

- Matthew 8:18-22

I find a riddle in these words, or more importantly, a challenge. Faith has a two fold message that puts the soul, mind and body on notice that each human being, comprised of an intrinsic trinity must come to an understanding that man is a reflection of God. Perhaps this is what I have come to know as a “sacred mystery.” We must all be willing to cast off the dark outer skin of our worldly selves and leave behind the sharp jagged refuse of our sinful past and take up a higher purpose for our being. As Christ showed us when he wrote in the dirt all of the blemishes of the high priests as they condemned a woman to death, we must let the wind wipe away the traffic of the well traveled road of our past understanding and become a new creation.

Some have called for “A new world order” in which humankind transcends the selfish motives of personal gain, power and greed to work for the common good of all. For these I believe have been the greatest downfall of man. When we can put aside these pitfalls of evil and deceit, then can we fully realize the end for which we seek; full communion with God. The universe stands before us as an example of what is paraphrased from Goethe as "an order and chaos that finds meaning in the hum of planets as they orbit a blazing star to transcend space and time to find the ultimate truth about our place in the cosmos."

We must all question and pursue our own destiny within this microcosm, yet we must embrace each moment as part of a journey to a higher end. The struggle and strife of worldly cares shape and form us to conform or break away from whatever challenges us along the way. It is merely a matter of choice to follow in the footsteps of destruction or eternal life. And so, the ultimate question is posed: “How will I live my life, for selfish gain or for the goodness that pervades every living thing on earth?” Will I bury myself underground in the safety of my will to survive or will I fly amongst the fowl that rise at dawn and sing the praises of a new day found?

Disregarded and Unresolved

I drove out to my favorite hiking place last evening about and hour or so before sunset. It is sparsely wooded and kept like you would expect a state or public park to be, and it serves as both an overflow area for flood waters and a sanctuary for water fowl and other wildlife. I often go there to observe the sunset or sunrise and just mingle with my thoughts on the day or a particular event or struggle going on in my life. Last evening was not particularly special other than I needed some time to walk and clear my head. My ulterior motive was that in about a week and a half I am going to spend a week at camp with my sons’ Boy Scout troop. Our camp site is one of the farthest away from the main administration building, dining hall and chapel so we’ll be trekking a few miles during the week. I started getting prepared for this some time ago so that I would be in shape to endure the daily trips back and forth. And as the sun dipped farther and farther towards the horizon, my footsteps quickened and my mind raced towards the summit of the best spot to catch the last rays of daylight. In those moments I felt a wave of thought going back many years and a feeling of disregard and unresolved inner tension took hold of me.



I never quite knew back in high school what I wanted to do or be, but I realized that I needed discipline in order to make it on my own. The military provided just the right combination of physical, mental and daily routine that I could use to discover where I was headed in life. I often have dreams of being back in the army and packing up for deployment somewhere. I think this is my subconscious longing for the days when there were far fewer concerns on my mind to think about than today. You might find it pretty amazing that I still have not found any particular profession or career to suit me and that is probably why I have hopped from job to job many times over the years since being discharged from the military. Scouting provides a uniform and a mission that I find enjoyable, but it cannot provide everything I need today.



There have been some major turning points in my life since those carefree days when I was a younger man, like getting married and becoming a father of two boys. I never really considered doing anything else in life that could possibly bring more joy or purpose; so herein lay my quandary. As I approach my fiftieth birthday and I am only working a part time job that is barely bringing in an income to support my family; where do I go from here? In recent months I have disregarded the old approach of taking on whatever job came along just for a paycheck only to have unresolved issues about career and a secure future hit me right in the face. This is where the purpose of my hike came in to play last evening.



Watching the sun sink lower and lower on the horizon provided some answers on a spiritual level that I find difficult to describe. I was only about three quarters through my hike when a fork in the path appeared up ahead. While I was sure that taking the left would take me back to where I started, the right was not so clear and I ran the risk of hitting a dead end. After weighing both choices carefully, I took the right fork which rose slightly at first and then turned towards the direction I wanted to go in the first place. The trail took a sharp left turn and I soon found myself on the path towards the summit of a hill where the sunset was almost complete. Pausing there for a moment, I took to one knee and prayed as I had learned as a child. Then, rising to my feet, the final moments of day glowed far off to the west as the crescent moon took its place as the dominant light in an endless deep blue sky. While this provided no clear answers to my query, I found peacefulness rarely experienced in the everyday hustle and bustle of the town below. I hope you can find such peace as well. Witt.

On What Ground am I?

The following is an entry that has been in my draft file for quite some time. Because it is summer and I am in a highly relective mood tonight; please accept this as a gift. Happy Father's Day!


Today, as I consider plans that have been made for this weekend; the thoughts and words of Ralph Waldo Emerson come to mind. “When a man lives with God, his voice shall be as sweet as the murmur of the brook and the rustle of the corn.” This phrase comes from Emerson’s essay on Self Reliance written around 1841. I cannot help but relate to this as it is late July and the fields of northwest Ohio are green with the stalks of growing corn and low rows of soy beans. The wheat harvest has been gathered in for the most part and the bailing of hay has commenced. There is an anticipation of things to come and the present moment gives way to the lonesome mourning dove perched outside my window. It is the day of my birth and for now the concerns of the world seem a million miles away.

The scripture readings for today concern the Ten Commandments from Exodus and Jesus’ parable of The Sower from Matthew’s gospel. I wonder now on what ground am I? As I lie in bed earlier this morning, the image of a muddy field flashed across my mind and how my life has been much like a long rut stretching out across to the farthest horizon. There are still dreams to fulfill, chores to perform and children to raise. There have been days of great personal challenge, triumph and joy, but there have been moments of much uncertainty, sorrow and pain as well. As I wade deep into the pages that reveal my life history, I am reminded that like some stick in the mud, I have moved little towards the man God has planted in me. In the end, will I be judged for what I have done or what I have failed to do, for words spoken in anger or in actions spent in pure sacrifice for another? My hope is ever in the Lord, but my flesh speaks another tale fraught with weakness for the wonder lust that exists in the world.

As I sped off early this morning to the local BMV to have my driver’s license renewed, I thought how quickly four years had passed and the futility of finding work this past year. At the same time I savored one last kiss and a cool breeze pouring in from outside the car window. I think God would be happy to know I have grown to appreciate these small things and that I have tried my best to maintain a sense of personal integrity, though moments of despair have clouded my sight at times. In any case, I sit here needing and wanting to share my thoughts with you as the day progresses and there are, as Frost wrote, “Miles to go before I sleep.” I think it is fair to say we all progress from waste land to fertile soil on any given day, but the God who loves us will always lead the way if we keep our sights set on our better selves; especially when the world begs us to turn and succumb to its will that can lead us astray. God bless. Witt

Trekking the Great "I Am"

I awoke to the sound of my cell phone at 5:47 am on Friday morning only to find no one there as I went to answer it. I did not recognize the number and did not bother to hit redial on my phone. I guessed that if it was important enough they would call back. That is how my day began, but not after one of the shortest nights of my life. It was one of those times in which I have wrestled inside with what I call “demons of the mind and soul.” Once fully awake and over the event, I set out to a special place to watch the sun rise and gain some perspective. Christ had his Garden of Gethsemane and I have found my own place to seek refuge; if only for a short time. I call it ‘spiritual trekking.”

Trekking is defined as someone who pursues a long and arduous journey, most often on foot. It typically refers to trekking through mountainous areas by foot so that one can revel in the marvelous scenery. In the Book of Exodus Moses climbs Mount Horeb to investigate a mysterious burning bush. Once there, he finds holy ground and receives a great commission from God to rescue the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. Though my special place is nowhere near Mount Horeb or the Middle East, it is a high place to trek, see the beauty of the countryside below and seek a different kind of perspective on life. Some people seek the sanctuary of a church, mosque or synagogue to find spiritual enlightenment or answers to the conflict of faith and the realities of life on earth. These are fine places for communal prayer and faith sharing, but sometimes a walk in the outdoors can provide the individual with the spiritual food not found behind closed doors.

I wrote a poem once titled “Forest Cathedral” in which I describe a scene along a stretch of river where I once considered doing some canoeing. What I found was an orphan cemetery from an old county home that no longer exists. I remember sitting down on a tree stump and imagining these orphan children playing and hoping for a family to come adopt them. Unfortunately, for various reasons, they died before their hopes were fulfilled. There were rocks and pennies left beside the grave markers as some form of respect or homage to the dreams of a childhood lost. Now I wonder how much more can come from trekking the great “I Am.”

In new age spirituality we find this concept of “I Am” as God living in and being a part of every human being. According to some like Wayne Dyer, we can say “I am God” and be perfectly justified in speaking as such. It is not so foreign a concept if we take a moment to realize that this is very true in a sense that we are mind, body and spirit just as God is one with Jesus his son and the Holy Spirit in which the original Disciples of Christ received at Pentecost. They traveled with Jesus on foot and learned the true meaning to the parables and stories in which their teacher used to convey his message of good news to the world. And so, Trekking the great “I Am” becomes my quest and new spiritual tool in which to find peace and meaning to life. Peace. Witt

Outside Action

 

Outside Action

I always try to incorporate the out of doors in my weekly blog. I hope you visit often and feel free to share your thoughts. Many thanks.

The God Within

The following is a journal entry from earlier today as I hiked the grounds of Lial Renewal Center located near Whitehouse, Ohio. It is a reflection on the inner dialogue that I often experience in prayer. As you can tell I like to try new ways in which to connect to the sacred.

Today is Dad’s Day for me, even though Father’s Day is not until next weekend. On this day, Saturday June 9, 2012, I have set out to find the God within. Being a father of two sons myself, I can relate to some of what God the Father must have experienced and that realization is why I call this day Dad’s Day. A little part of him, my dad, lives in me just as a portion of me lives in my sons. And just as I have vowed to be a husband, a part of me resides in my wife Joyce and her in me.

OK, if I can acknowledge these relationships in the real world, why then can I not apply this same principle to my relationship with God. No reason at all, right? So, instead of trying so hard to find God in the world or through prayer, all I really have to do is look inward and to see that God is inside as well as outside.

The external beauty of this place is a mere reflection and reminder of God’s creative power and imagination. The breeze through the leaves is a means to be audibly stimulated by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The sky is as blue as the eyes of a loving Savior that sometimes cloud with tears and wash away the fears in my mind. I become the hands that till the soil of productive relationships and good works.

And so, with these things in mind, I pray: “Heavenly Father, Prince of peace, Fire of my soul; thank you for the gift of senses and all that surrounds me as a reminder to look inward in order to reach outwards so that I can embrace you as my Father, brother and mentor in this precious short life here on earth." Amen

Monday Morning Quarterback

I've had my morning cup of motivation and I'm transitioning towards a position of mindful consideration.
– D. Wittler

(Unless someone can find another source and blow what I thought was an original expression.)



I am not normally in the habit of using sports analogies to express the weird and crazy ideas that surface in my brain, but this one seemed to fit quite nicely. It is so easy to analyze a situation that occurred in the past and try to “fix it” in the present time. Just like the fumble or miscue that caused our favorite team to lose the big game, we say to ourselves “I cannot believe he threw that pass when he should have handed off the ball.” We can second guess ourselves for doing one thing or experience the regret that resulted from the choices we have made and use that energy of foresight the next time.



The truth is, we are our own quarterback and we must make choices and decisions that will affect the future. If I am guilty of anything it is waiting too long to make the pass or hand off the ball and I get sacked in the back field. Again, I apologize for the analogy. The point is that I must be mindful of my weaknesses and trust that any decision I make is a good one as long as I do not hesitate and miss out on a greater opportunity to grow as a human being. God knows us better than anyone and is mindful not to interfere when our well being is on the line whether for our own good or for some other reason. We have the ability to pick ourselves up and get back in the game as long as we keep the big picture in mind. This does not always mean winning the game but perhaps we can gain some valuable insight into what our direction in life really is.



Sometimes we must fall in order to see the world from the ground up rather than thinking we need a higher vantage point in order to experience true victory. I believe from my own experience that playing hurt can serve two purposes; to teach us what not to do or to teach us how to land on our own two feet. All too often I have carried the hurt around and have used that feeling to keep me from going back out on the field and trying again. I can honestly say I am in that space right now with getting a new job, but I am trying new strategies to avoid the same old results of the past. I do not want to get hurt again, but I also realize that risk is all a part of the game. I trust that faith will keep me focused and that tomorrow will bring a whole new light to my situation. I pray that you will find peace and solace in the words of our Lord: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you always.” With that kind of encouragement, I can look forward to getting back out there and enjoying the game for the thrill of the hunt and to not be gun shy because I might get hurt in the process. Peace- Witt

Fathers and Sons

We have all heard the old question asked: “If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” We could ask the same of our relationships with our fathers: “If we are far apart from each other because of physical or emotional distance, do we still hear the words or lessons that our fathers taught us when we were children?” In these modern times the often joked about comment: “He has Daddy issues” comes to mind.

My Dad grew up in a large family with ten brothers and sisters on a farm in Northwest Ohio. He had to quit school after his ninth grade year to help out on the farm and thus never graduated from high school. It was not uncommon in those days to do such a thing as it was during the Great Depression era as well as World War II. My Dad took it all in stride and did his best to support his family then and did so for me and my brothers and sisters later on down the road. He worked many long hours in a General Motors foundry inspecting automobile castings, sold cars, water softeners and even worked at a clay drainage tile mill when hard times caused him to be off his usual job. For this I am so grateful to my Dad for all the sacrifices he gave for his family and me. I too have experienced some of the hardships he went through in life, but I was fortunate to graduate from high school, serve in the military, get married and have two sons of my own. I believe these commonalities are what bind fathers and sons together.



Today, Dad and Mom live an hour away and my family and I seldom get around to a visit. You know what I mean; school events, work schedules, meetings and the lot can preoccupy our time and can take away from long held relationships. It takes real attention and effort to keep in touch and I admit I have not done a good job of this. But I wonder sometimes about how close I am with my Dad. I know I have “Daddy issues” that get in the way when the phone rings and Dad just wants to talk and I am not receptive because after so many years in a noisy foundry, Dad’s hearing is not the greatest so I have to repeat myself over and over and I sometimes hold a grudge because he and Mom have not come to visit the boys even though we visit on holidays and special events as we are able. I don’t want to let these things get in the way, but at the same time I let old wounds fester from when I was a kid and the “Daddy issues” haunt me and I shy away like the kid I was long ago. Like that old oak tree that falls in the woods, do I acknowledge its former strength and vitality and the cool shade that it once provided to those who once sat beneath its leafy limbs? Do I hear the gentle sounds of wind and bird song that once were propelled through the forest from its lofty heights, or do I choose to simply hear my own grievances and walk away untouched?



There are times when I do choose otherwise and I embrace the moment and my father’s broad shoulders. I take the time to sit and talk to my sons and impart a bit of life experience and “common sense” from my own past mistakes. One thing I know for sure; you cannot make them listen or follow in your footsteps, but you do have to love them, pray for them and acknowledge them as important in your life just as the multi-layered growth rings that make the mighty oak stand so tall and straight. With Father’s Day fast approaching, I owe my Dad a phone call and to just let him know I love him. Dad, I hear you even though I may not be in the same neck of the woods. God bless you!

Sacred Space | Your daily prayer online

Sacred Space | Your daily prayer online

Contemplation

“My book should smell of pines and resound with the hum of insects.” Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote these words in his essay on Self Reliance in 1841. And so today I seek the words to describe to you the world in which I see and hear each day. I take to heart the advice of Pope Benedict XVI who commented on the power of silence as a means to experience the loving presence of God. My hands tremble as I place my trust in him who inspired creation and speaks to each of us through nature itself. Thoughts return to last evening as I gazed up into a field of twinkling stars and watched the flashing strobes of passing aircraft overhead and the silent flicker of man made objects orbiting this earth teaming with life. I recall the crescent moon emerging from darkness and how hope filled my soul.


As you can see, colorful images paint the canvass of my mind as letters converge to form the words so many authors, theologians and mystics have used to describe the spirit of things that exist all around us. I invite you to take a few moments out of your busy day to sit in quiet and allow silence to speak to a deeper side of you. Though there is no perfect silence except that of the grave, I suggest filtering out the common sounds you hear by allowing them to melt into the beauty of a back yard scene or one in which you alone conjure with closed eyes and pure imagination. Hear the wind through pine needles or maple leaves and breathe deep to fill the recesses of your body and soul. Allow this to speak to you… Now you know the meaning of contemplation.

Today is the day you become a new creation. With a sense of renewal of purpose, awareness of God’s presence and the power of nature at your disposal, live with integrity and the knowledge that today is all you have in which you can make a difference. Yesterday is past, tomorrow lies yet ahead, but the here and now is all that matters. Live free, pray unceasingly and know the love of God surrounds you. Amen

Enjoy the video!

http://youtu.be/_LnxhDvWjlM

The Nature of Mercy

Let those who have no sin cast the first stone. I know the law is the law and standards of conduct are established to protect the innocent and preserve order, but we are also given a standard to forgive which comes from the highest authority. My hope is that people choose to serve others over the temptation to serve themselves. Lapses in judgment occur just as surely as acts of kindness. Who can weigh the good and bad and judge by how many good deeds are outweighed by one bad? We are not brought up in the Christian faith to keep a balance sheet of our offenses, but to do good deeds and forgive when the situation arises.



A disciple asked Jesus: "Lord, how many times are we to forgive." And his answer was: "Seventy times seven." How else are we to interpret the meaning if we are not prepared to practice what we believe? I know that in reality the law often times is prepared to make an example of those who have chosen a higher calling and fail in some manner, but then I hope prayer counts for something as well and that redemption prevails over punishment when the situation allows for it. I also know that some offenses are not to be tolerated, but humanity has been given the capacity to distinguish the gray areas that often time come about. Zero tolerance policies and an unflinching judicial system that is void of compassion ultimately brings tyranny to the ranks of freedom loving societies. My hope is that love prevails and that second chances are offered as a form of redeeming grace. To follow in our Father’s footsteps through his son Jesus is after all the ultimate act of discipleship.



Go in peace my friends and do not forget to utilize the gifts of the spirit each day of your lives. As Wordsworth noted in his poem Expostulation and Reply:


"The eye—it cannot choose but see;

We cannot bid the ear be still;

Our bodies feel, where'er they be,

Against or with our will.

"Nor less I deem that there are Powers

Which of themselves our minds impress;

That we can feed this mind of ours

In a wise passiveness.


"Think you, 'mid all this mighty sum

Of things for ever speaking,

That nothing of itself will come,

But we must still be seeking?


"—Then ask not wherefore, here, alone,

Conversing as I may,

I sit upon this old grey stone,

And dream my time away,"

And so we learn that not all can be learned in books such as the law provides, but that our better nature speaks to us and let not harsh judgment rid us of our Christian legacy.

Golden Ticket

I remember some years ago when the original film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” came out. There was a song in the film entitled “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” that was sung by the actor who played the grandpa Joe character. Charlie Bucket was a poor kid whose family lived together in a run down old house. One day he found a dollar bill along the street and went in to a candy store to buy a chocolate bar. When a golden ticket appeared inside the wrapper, Charlie was so thrilled that he ran home to tell his family and his grandpa Joe  broke into song because this meant that Charlie was to be one of only a select few children to visit the famed Wonka candy factory. I wonder about this scene and how it is like faith. We place so much value on things that we believe will make our lives better or happier, yet faith is about more than just a chance encounter with luck, it is a life long journey.

Last night I went outside and gazed at a sky full of stars and realized I had to do something that would change my life. Instead of always settling for whatever job came along to just get by in order to pay bills, have a home and raise children; I had to make a bold move. I knew that by standing still and doing nothing or putting my faith in something or someone else’s hands that all I could expect was more of the same old thing I have gotten my whole life, which is struggle and disappointment. In effect, I have to be my own golden ticket! God gives us all the potential we need if we just invest in a little faith that he can bring to us whatever it is that we ask for. I want to be more than the sum of my parts scratching out a living in some low wage job feeling like I will never get ahead. I have too much invested in my marriage and kid’s lives to settle for less when God offers so much more.

All of us can be more, do more and strive for a better life if we put ourselves out there and dare to be a person of faith. A golden ticket is more than a dream or hope that comes by chance; it is within our grasp if we believe that “With God all things are possible.” As the sun now rises high towards the afternoon sky, I pray that you will find your golden ticket within and strive to be more than the image you see staring back in the mirror. And so, enjoy the show below…Witt



http://youtu.be/29_uSlEEPSk

Immersed in the Spirit

We hear so much today about reducing stress and how to manage time, finances, our weight and the bad habits that we as Americans have become known for, but I believe we are at odds with ourselves on  personal, spiritual, political and social levels. Traditionally, the United States was founded on religious and personall freedoms. The term liberty was used to describe every person's right under the watchful eyes of a loving God. Today, this vision has been blurred by the liberalization of morals and values long established throughout our primarily Judeo-Christian history. With the advent of a socially responsible state and federal government, the concept of "anything goes" has replaced these standards. So, how do we get back to basics and deal with the stresses of the twenty first century? Some would say "let go and let God" while others point fingers and blame one side or the other that the world is going down the tubes. I would suggest that we all look inward and then realize that we are not alone unless we choose to be. I would suggest a concept like becoming immersed in the spirit.
Imagine for a moment that you are looking out upon a dry and desolate place where the sun beats down in a relentless barrage of heat and there is no shelter for miles all around. Like a rock you have become hardened over a lifetime of stress; sharp edges and a gritty surface protect you from seeing beneath the reality of the landscape. Now, imagine a stream of water bubbling out from beneath the ground and watch it spread out and begin transforming the desolation into a wooded forest. Trees, plants and animals begin to appear and drink from the stream and the water rises to completely cover you. You can feel the flow of coolness begin to smooth out the rough edges and gritty surface that has defined you through countless years. You now realize a presence that is not new but was lost long ago. Now, picture yourself being lifted out from beneath the stream and realize that you are now smooth and rounded; though still a rock, you have become a new creation. Instead of being a force against the flow, you are now a part of the process that feeds life down stream. At any time you can choose to be a part of this natural process or return to the desert. What will you decide?
Now, take a deep breath and realize that at any time during the day you can immerse yourself in a higher power that replenishes what life seems to steal away through stress and anxiety. Emmanuel, "God is with us" resounds in my mind as I pray that you too will realize the gifts of the spirit. Now, put your thumb, index and middle fingers together and touch your forehead. Move them down towards your chest, across to your right side and then to your left saying to yourself: "I am mind, body and spirit." Congratulations, you have called upon a power that is not only within you, but all around you as well! The trick is to take a moment every day to get in touch with this realization. And as you practice this, bring your cares, concerns and anxiety to him who feeds the stream and let it flow out to those who need the coolness and repose of a loving presence in their lives just like you. God is with you; let him in!

Limited Edition

As you will see, another work in progress. Enjoy-Witt

I have seen a lot and heard so much more
about how the world is coming apart at the seams
If the 2012 predictions come true.


Well, I don’t know about you,
but they would have called me a limited edition kid
way back in school.
Cause I fell behind, did not have a clue
about the three R’s or the social condition;
conventional wisdom set me apart,
but they could not see my heart.


Limited edition.
Right from the beginning;
You and I are special human beings
Relying on each other,
Working in harmony,
to the beat of a living savior;
Speaking from the mount;
We must shout
about how the world should be,
but so many do not see.


What’s a parent to do?
when your kid is so smart,
but has no common sense,
or so it seems;
just another sign of the times
while I sit here making rhymes
about the end of the world.


Limited edition
Right from the beginning
You and I are special human beings
Relying on each other,
Working in harmony,
to the beat of a living savior;
Speaking from the mount;
We must shout
about how the world should be,
but so many do not see.


It’s been a lot of years
lessons learned and so many tears;
But they say there is a reason,
a season for everything under heaven
and I believe it’s true;
What are we without a little faith?
conventional relations,
and values to get us through.

So now I beg your pardon;
rebellion is my middle name,
cause I question everything;
Nothing is as it appears,
the corporate mentality
and political correctness
breeds distrust and hypocrisy.


Limited edition
Right from the beginning
You and I are special human beings
Relying on each other
Working in harmony
to the beat of a living savior;
Speaking from the mount;
We must shout,
about how the world should be,
but so many do not see.


It’s been a lot of years
lessons learned and so many tears;
But they say there is a reason;
If only I had a vision;
the words and mission
to bring peace to our world.

Stranger to Myself

Times have been tough these past few years and there is no sign in sight that they will change. I have been down sized, laid off, taken pay cuts and had hours reduced and been terminated, disrespected, humiliated and labeled. Now, the only way I get noticed is by AARP for a membership. No retirement, no savings, no future and no job but scrubbing floors two days a week. What a life!
Well, I could just sit back and call it quits, but I know there is a reason for everything because my faith says so. Even Job knew that no matter what God would provide. Why should I believe otherwise? The crux of the matter seems to be that sometimes I feel like a stranger to myself. I have come a long way from a shy kid to where I am today. I prayed long and hard for a good woman to come into my life and for a family. What more could a man ask for, right? I never asked for a fortune, a particular career or that I would never have to suffer hardship in my life. I always knew there would be tough times, but I never thought it would last twenty years. All I can do is pray that things will change for the better and that I can do something about it in the mean time. Overcoming a lifetime of failure is a hard burden to carry, but God knows I am ready for the light of day to shine and for brighter days to come. What else do I have to go on? God bless. Witt

Bouquet of Life

This is a work in progress, but I occasionally get inspired by country music lyrics and try to write my own. I appreciate your comments. I hope you like it. Witt




Our life together has been a garden.

We started out with just a chunk of land,

like two very different individuals

who needed tending,

and then we sowed some seed and watched it grow.



For nearly twenty years now it has yielded many things

A mixture of toil and tears but somehow it began to show

what the power of love and a whole lot of prayer

can do for two lonely souls like us.



So today I look upon this garden as our bouquet of life

and I thank God we’re still together.

After all we’ve been through it is clear

That we are still stronger together

than we would ever be apart.

So here’s my shoulder for you to cry on

and here’s the best of me; my heart.



Honey I know our life is still a struggle,

and there is no way to put a value on strife.

When the good Lord has seen us through and through,

like the storm in Spring time and the Winter blues;

as the flowers lay dormant beneath the fallen snow,

they know that better days will come in Summer.

And yes, they will wither in the Fall

just as it has always been for countless generations;

every life and every soul will visit the seasons

and wind up behind heaven’s doors.



So let us now gather from this garden

all the hopes and dreams we shared

and put them in a vase upon a table;

like a fine bouquet of flowers show,

and continue on as we are able.

With God all things are possible

and our garden will always grow.

Just the Floor Guy

This entry comes in light of a situation that cost me my full time job. I felt compelled to share it after I visited a web site called "Sacred Space." The daily prayers and meditations that are offered are a great resource if time and prayer are difficult or constrained. I found Holy Thursdays reading and thoughts on prayer to be especailly helpful in light of my job situation. I realized that in order to move on in my life and become the person I was meant to be, that I have to make small gradual changes over time in order to avoid what happened. Prayer is an essential element of this process as well. Enjoy and have a blessed Easter season! Witt

I came in through the back door night after night, probably without you even being aware of my presence. I gathered the tools of my trade; broom, bucket, mop and went about the tedium that housekeepers are accustomed. I followed a precise routine of dust mopping, gathering up the remnants of a days’ activity and scrubbed away the dirt and scuff marks that accumulate over the course of time. Having done this, I began to put back the shine that was once there before so many passing feet had dulled the surface beneath them. I carefully guided the buffing machine across the well trafficked areas and then surveyed the results. I then moved on to the remaining areas in which I was charged to repeat the process all over again.


There were times when you may have noticed my displeasure at the deep scratches or the excess dirt that was left in the hours before I came in to do my work. You may also have witnessed my concern for the well being of a resident who seemed restless and unable to sleep or crying out in the darkness for a hand to reach out and comfort them. More often than not, you probably noticed the times when I was not so silent and purposefully made my presence known. Know this, that everything I did while performing these duties was a reflection of the servant; employee in today’s terms. Though paid to perform such tasks, I took great pride in my work and found a deeper meaning to the mundane routine. I often took a moment to silently pray for the struggling resident or aide or nurse whose situation was troubling or difficult to deal with. On more than one occasion I found myself praying outside the room of a dying resident or one who had recently passed.

It was at these times that the simple humility of my job took on a whole new meaning; one of a higher purpose, to show compassion. Though I regret some of my actions in this world with a disdainful eye and would certainly take them back if I could, I still cannot forget the humble servant who tried his very best to set an example for others to follow. While I may have forgotten this humble mission during a moment of utter distress, I still pray for those who only saw the worst in me and have called me “a monster” in their private conversations. For this I do not hold a grudge or wish any harm or malice, only that you pray for me and I for you that we may find better ways to be humble servants and examples of love and compassion for others to follow. Take care and Go with God my friends. Now you know me for who I truly am instead of “just the floor guy.”

Update

I apologize for not keeping up to date these past few months, but things have gotten hectic in my life. I was trying to finish a bachelors in English Literature, but it appears that is on hold with only 35 credit hours remaining. I regret having gone through Grand Canyon University, but I cannot do anything about it now. I hate the fact that it always comes down to money and red tape. Whether I go on or not is still as up in the air as my life has gone. I am happy for those who make enough money that the economy does not seem to affect them. We're still paying off a trip to Disney World from 2008! The fact remains that my future is unclear, my kids' future as well, but my wife drives on in spite of the burden I have placed on her shoulders. It must be hell to live with a perpetual wonderer.