Do you ever feel like David facing Goliath?? I sure do. At some times more than others. I think that falls under the heading of “Injustice”, sometimes unfair situations happen, and we have no choice but to fight for the truth, to get some sense of justice in a situation. I am reminded too of a French movie star when I was a kid. His name was Jean Marais, and he dressed like Robin Hood in his films, (in tights) and was always swinging off a chandelier, brandishing a sword, and fighting off 52 attackers. And of course he always won, lucky guy. But sometimes I feel like I’m facing the 52 attackers, have no sword, would be terrified to swing off a chandelier, and I would look ridiculous in the costumes he wore. » read more »

I was talking to a friend today, and remembered a silly story, that was a good reminder about life. » read more »

Although I’m sure we all agree that religion is a very personal thing, I will share with you that I often read from the Bible when I go to bed at night. My days are long and stressful, and with many kids, a big career, and a lot of obligations and responsibilities, I ‘multi-task’ and juggle about a million balls from the time I wake up until I go to bed at the end of my (often 20 hour) day. And I need to kind of de-stress before I go to sleep. Reading religious articles that inspire me, or reading from the Bible really does it for me. It gives me back some perspective, and makes me feel that I am not carrying the whole world on my shoulders alone. And whatever one’s beliefs, there are some great reminders in the Bible, that apply to our dealings with other people, how we treat them, and expect to be treated in return. As I said, it works for me. » read more »

Recently, in one of those introspective moments where you question what you think, and your views about life, I thought about the things that I think are essential in life. Love certainly, hope, good health for sure, and it occurred to me that forgiveness is also essential, the ability to forgive others (and not carry bitterness or anger or resentment with you—-SUCH heavy burdens!!), and the blessing of being forgiven our mistakes is nice too. But one thing leapt out at me on my ‘can’t do without’ list: integrity. Yeah, sure, we say, of course, obviously. Yeah, yeah, whatever. Integrity isn’t always so obvious to others, and not always the obvious choice. I’ve learned that the hard way. And integrity isn’t a ‘whatever’, it is absolutely essential to the quality of our lives, our dealings with others, it is a basic expectation and need, like air. I think people have it or they don’t, and it has been a hard lesson for me to discover that some people we assume have integrity, actually don’t. Their morality, values, and sense of integrity may be completely different from our own, or even minimum standards that apply to us all. It’s a huge shock to discover that. I think it has to be woven into the fiber of our beings, it has to be an automatic, like breathing, not something we put on and take off like a hat. » read more »

One of my daughters recently gave me a card that said “I’m looking for a blessing that’s not in disguise”. It really made me stop and think how true that is. » read more »

As I finish work late tonight (on a new book), a thought came to me, a funny old saying: “Don’t be the lump, be the leaven”. Similarly, one could say, don’t be the darkness, be the light. The darkness is so heavy, like early winter nights. The dawn dispels the darkness, and light shines everywhere. » read more »