Personal Recipe

Trust 30 : Day 27 (Prompt by Harley Schreiber)

I do not wish to expiate, but to live. My life is for itself and not for a spectacle. I much prefer that it should be of a lower strain, so it be genuine and equal, than that it should be glittering and unsteady. I wish it to be sound and sweet, and not to need diet and bleeding. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Think about the type of person you’d NEVER want to be 5 years from now. Write out your own personal recipe to prevent this from happening and commit to following it. “Thought is the seed of action.”

I don't want to be one of the living dead. It seems so many people seek to tune out life. Whether it's television, internet, drugs, the bar scene, or anything else, people seem to be constantly striving to escape. To be honest, I feel that same call. I've given in to it before. On one hand life seems so much simpler if the primary purpose of it is to stay gratified. You put in your time at work, grab some fast food on the way home, and then veg all night. Next day is the same as the last. Repeat as necessary. Retire. Die, having never lived. Frankly, that's the path of least resistance. Living like this doesn't anger anyone, but there is no positive purpose in it either.

Here's a quick recipe:

1. Openly and passionately pursue truth. Don't stop when it gets comfortable, keep pushing until your dying breath.
2. Reach out to others. Staying engaged with other helps maintain perspective and keep you honest. 
3. Always keep learning.
4. Never be afraid to help someone else out.
5. Choose to love.

You Know

Trust 30 : Day 21 (prompt by Jen Louden)

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

For today, trying asking yourself often, especially before you make a choice, “What do I know about this?”

Once again I'm not sure I can find the writing prompt in this one.  But I'll address a few things that I know...

I know that I have spent my life living deliberately. I do often ask myself what I know about many things before attempting them or asking others (I hate to call tech support). As a result, I have stored up a lot of experience-based knowledge. I don't claim to be 100% right, just 100% sincere. And that's enough.  I know I'd rather live and interact with people that are sincere than correct.

The truth I know that is the undercurrent of my entire life is that the truth matters. People matter. Communication is important. It's more important to listen than to be heard when building relationships. Masks make us feel protected but really they isolate us. Deep down no one wants to be isolated, but also deep down no one wants to be hurt.

My Message - Pursue

Trust30 - Day 10

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?

Many readers will probably click away with my next sentence. There's more to this whole God thing than you realize. Humanity has twisted and abused religion for so many years it can take a lot to break through the hurt and find the truth. But the truth is there for those that earnestly seek it. God is bigger than you can imagine. 

I know I can't use my logic and wit to persuade anyone to look to God again. We each have our own road before us and your quest will not look like mine at all.  I can't tell you what your next step will be. I encourage you to take it, though. Even if you think you're a Christian. Especially if you think you're a Christian.

This whole God thing isn't only about where you go when you die. When you find Jesus, He brings you to life RIGHT THEN. The apostle Paul repeatedly uses phrases like "You were dead because you were apart from Him, but now you are alive." He's not talking to people that are in Heaven. Your new life starts here and now.

I'm not one to say everything's perfect all the time, I still have my ups and downs. But the life I've lived since I found Christ goes beyond words.  I used to think I was free because I could do anything I wanted...that Christians were boring and stuffy. Now that I've found true freedom in Christ I look back at my old life and can see the shackles and bars that held me. 

My message: pursue God. Question everything you think you know about God. Revisit the scriptures with an open mind. Please read the Bible, but feel free to read the Quran, Tao Te Ching, Book of Mormon, the Upanishads, the teachings of Buddha, the Vedas, or any other Holy book you wish. The true God is bigger than your questions, and if you honestly seek Him, you will find Him.  My belief is that an honest and humble quest will lead you to the truth.  And the truth will set you free.