Heart

In the midst of global chaos, I have seen our humanity shine. I have seen consideration for the less fortunate. I have seen food banks open in light of school closures. I have seen attention given to the elderly. I’ve seen courage in the face of despair. I’ve seen our heart. It doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would. We still have hope. We still have joy. We still have fight. We still believe. We still have love. It is a heart filled with love that cares for the needy, and feeds the homeless, and nurtures the sick.

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller

Philosophy

What’s your personal philosophy? What do you believe? What’s your culture? What’s your creed? We all have a code, a set of beliefs that guide us through our life. Our personal philosophies are created by our experiences. They are lessons that were instilled early in our lives. They are deep rooted. They are the foundation for our actions. They are our motives. What motivates you? It's your philosophy.

Seek

One of my favorite childhood games was playing hide and seek. As an only child, I typically could not play unless we were visiting one of my mother’s friends or extended family. My friend's daughter likes playing hide and seek, but tends to hide in highly visible locations. I think that most of us don’t like the idea of having to seek anything. We prefere to find things in highly visible locations. We have been conditioned for comfort. We want everything in its designated place in our designated time. Life doesn’t work like that. Usually, we have to wait. We have to pursue. We have to earn. We have to seek. God requires us to seek his face. Love requires us to seek a mate. Dreams require us to seek out opportunities. Destiny requires us to seek out a path. Everything we value requires us to seek. Find comfort in knowing that those who seek, shall find.

Believe

To believe is to accept something as true. If I am completely honest, there a few things I just don’t believe in anymore because my experience says otherwise. I no longer believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy because I discovered they weren’t real. They were fantasies that my mother perpetuated to keep hope alive. If we’re completely honest, there are people and things we still believe in because of our desire to keep hope alive. Hope is such a strong emotion. It is the substance of faith. It is the foundation for our belief system. Ask yourself, “What do you believe? Who do you believe? Have you given up hope? Why?” For those of you who no longer have faith in people, or even yourself, maybe you should try believing in something bigger than you. Believe that there is more. Believe that trouble don’t last always. Believe it does get better. Believe that things will work out for your benefit. Believe that you are enough. Just believe!

Be Still and Know....

The knowing isn’t the hard part. It’s the “be still” part that gets me every time. I’ve got things to do on my “to-do” list. There is a mound of laundry. The kitchen needs a once over. The bathroom needs to be cleaned. The kids need something. My mother needs something. I’m being pulled in multiple directions. How can I possibly “ be still.” In order to “be still,” you have to make a deliberate effort to give God time. You have to give God time to be acknowledged, to be praised, and to speak. When we are still, we can hear God. We can acknowledge the small still voice that says, “rest in me.” We can cry out because we can’t do everything in our own strength. When we are still, we can have peace with things being undone. We can know that God will never put more on us than we can bear. Most of know that we can cast our cares on God, but we aren’t still enough to hear the encouragement. We miss the peace of God when we aren’t still. Mute the distractions around you and focus. Be still and know….I am God.

Don't Stop Believing!

Don’t Stop Believin’ was recorded by Journey in 1981. The same year I was born. However, it the charts again in 2009, after the popular show Glee cast recorded it. I can admit that I was a Glee fan for the first couple of seasons simply because of this song. Recently, Snoop Dogg performed on Lip Sync Battle. Random fact, I know. It’s funny how the message of the music can transcend genres. This song’s message is clear. No matter the road life may take you, don’t stop believing. Don’t give up. Hold on to to the feeling that made you start in the first place. You’ve come to far to turn back now. Don’t Stop Believing!!!

Laugh

I think one of the best sounds in the world is to hear a child laugh. Their laughter comes from a place of pure joy and contentment. Many times we may find ourselves laughing to keep from crying. Our laughter is tinged with pain and regret. I challenge you this week to play a game. Do something you enjoy. Laugh until your side hurts. Experience joy. Giggle. Smile. Laugh.