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.

Diving in the Stream

The following poem is an experiment using stream of consciousness, emotion and reality. Often, I am confronted with situations that confound me or stir feelings that I don't know how to deal with. I try so hard to give the semblance of control in my life, but I have none. I just can't seem to let go and realize I am going nowhere on my own initiative. The only conclusion to draw from is that God knows where we are going and we must do our best to ride the waves as best we can until we reach the other shore. One hint: I work at a nursing home. And so, here goes...

Where did my thoughts go?

Caught between the walls of asylum and old age;

angered by the senseless monotony of it all.


Where does their patience come from?

Wiping up the remnants of incontinence;

saddened by the tragedy and cruelty of life.


What chain of events has led to this cross-road?

Tears, laughter and apathy confound;

hopeful that God must have a hand in this reasoning.


How do I continue on this journey?

Traveling without a map or clear course of action;

anxious for subtle signs of roses and mere coincidence.


Who will provide answers within?

Searching for meaning beside a faithful companion;

loving more dearly than ever before.


11/17/11