In my late teens/early 20’s, I was introduced to many of the world’s BIG problems…

…and given possible solutions to work at them. (that was 40 years ago and they’re still looming!) I got to the point that’s all I could think about, and I became very critical of others and in some ways felt proud – that I was more aware of how bad things were than others…a backwards type of status symbol! 😦  Then I heard a talk on not worrying and fretting over what evil people were doing. Instead focus on doing good – lots of it – and let God handle them. That was a turning point for me.

But don’t think I haven’t succumbed to worry time and time again. It’s a daily thing. For me, I believe God wants me to major on the good, positive, helpful ways I can build other people up and extend hope to them – which is what we all need.

That’s my mission. Encourage. Uplift. Give hope. Help others see what’s right with things today…to shine light on those doing good things…hopeful the darkness that becomes exposed (as the light of goodness shines) will become light itself.

“God help me see light so I can shine light to help others see more clearly that we are made for life!”

How do you fight worry?

Safe!…From who?…From what?

What is safe anyway?

It seems the last several years have spun the word ‘safe’ to be our top priority. ‘Stay safe!’ ‘Be safe!’ Keep safe!’

I believe this has caused ‘igloo living’ People hide out in their igloos and do nothing. No risk involved. Just stay put, stay safe and do nothing. Don’t cause any trouble. Don’t make waves. Don’t go against the current. Don’t voice your opinion. Keep your thoughts to yourself. Avoid other people.

This is the opposite of progress. Without the pioneer spirit of risk – great risk- there would no New World. Columbus wouldn’t have crossed the Atlantic. The settlers would have never left the New England colonies. The western states would not have been settled and all the beauty of our country would be yet undiscovered. We would have no electricity – too risky getting shocked or electrocuted trying to make the light bulb. Michelangelo would have never painted the famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel – too risky painting that high up and laying on your back. No bridges would be built – might fall in the river or off the cliff while working on it. No crops would be planted – might get too much sun or might get rained on. Too risky to raise livestock – might get kicked or trampled. Plus there’s manure involved. No mining for gold – a rock could fall on you. No air travel – might fall out of the sky and land in the ocean.

But somebody has to find the food, cook the food, spin the wool, sew the clothes, saddle the horse and hook up the wagon so we can go to Grandma’s. How are we going to manage? That somebody might not do it the same way we would or how we wanted or imagined.

Risk is a part of life. I am taking a risk writing these thoughts, as you are reading them.

Let’s get out of the illusion of ‘safety’ and begin to risk again. Risk trying something new and different. Risk a new project, a new friendship, a new invention, a new place to live or park to see. You will be enthralled at what is out there available for you.

You chart your course. Don’t allow another to hold you back under the guise of ‘staying safe’!

There are new things to be discovered, invented and made.

Let’s get at it…together!

What does it mean to be different?

My hair is pink today, green tomorrow. I wear torn jeans. I drive a big pick up truck with a smoke stack. I like my music loud. I only eat beef. I don’t eat meat. I wear tattoos. I have different piercings. I only wear black. I only read fiction. I am a mountain biker. I play a silver trumpet. I live in a tiny house.

All sorts of things differentiating people. While it’s easy to major on the external things that make us look different, I believe it’s the internal things that make the real difference. It is our personality, the way we talk to or about others, our voice tone, whether or not we show care for others; how we treat even ourselves. Are we outgoing or introverted? Do we respond to offense like everybody else – returning bad behavior for bad behavior?

People notice you’re different when you aren’t like the run of the mill, the rest of the pack. You do your own thing and are considerate, kind, helpful and watchful of others. You don’t participate in cutting someone else off or down. You are truly different. People notice these things about you and will see you as different in a good way.

Yes, it will anger some, because they see work being done in you that needs to be done in them. But you are an example to them. A hopeful example of what being different is all about.

Don’t be afraid to be different…in your own kind of way!