Searching

Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be. ~Robert Brault

I like this quote. We spend a life time searching for ourselves. I occasionally have to re-evaluate who I am, where I am heading and where I want to be. I always ask myself what my purpose is in this life time.

I know what I aspire to be. I want to be the best dad and the best husband there is. I want to be the best friend and the best brother there is. Whatever the case is, I am striving to get there. There is the occasional road block that life throws at you but it would not be living if we did not have these road blocks.

I aspire to be the man that hopefully my daughters and my wife can look up to.

ABC's "Lost" TV show

I really like ABC's Lost. Too bad it is in it's final season. Yeah there is the time travel and the flash backs and it is a bit confusing at times. But it is quality television. I will miss it. I guess I need to start looking for a new show.

Working it out

I have my yearly physical coming up next week. I am anxious to see how I am doing physically. I know I am at the point in my life where I have to pay more attention to my body. I have been working out for the past month and feel like I am making some progress in the gym. I am not trying to get big or anything like that. It's more of a "get in shape" thing.

I also owe it to my kids and family to get fit and stay on this planet as long as I can. I will let you know how it goes.

To encourage

Encouragement is a gift.

Encouragement creates energy.

Encouragement lasts a lifetime and can be life- changing.

Encouragement motivates positive behavior.

Encouragement is often the most effective form of motivation.

Encouragement most often comes from listening than talking.

Encouragement is more effective than crticism.

Encouragent can be as simple as a smile.

Encourage everyone you know and everyone you meet.

- Adopted from " God is in the small stuff"

Praying

I have been praying a lot these days. I pray for my family to be protected at all times. I pray to help me provide for my family. I pray every morning to help me have a good day. I also pray for people who need help and people who are important in my life. I find that God listens to my prayers.

It is good to pray, it does not make you more or less of a man. It is good to have an open dialogue with your creator. I must have a special hotline up there or be favored because I feel that God protects me and listens to my prayers at all times. I found the following excerpt from the book "Lists to live by" the Christian Collection for everything that really matters, by Alice Gray, Steven Stephens and John Van Diest.

Four ways God answers prayers:

If the request is wrong,
God says, No.

If the timing is wrong,
God says, slow.

If you are wrong,
God says, Grow.

But if the request is right,
the timing is right,
and you are right,
God says, Go.

I try and pray for the right requests. There have been times where God has told me to grow. I also believe that my requests and timing has been right and he has wanted me to go forward.

Joining the ranks

There is no argument that the U.S will soon be busting at the seams with an aging population. The need for more doctors and advanced technology will always be an issue.

I am in my forties right now and I worry about what medical and technological advances will be available to me during my senior years. I am not quite there yet but it's not too far away either.

I am in good health right now. I have started exercising at work and hopefully I can keep it up (I'm crossing my fingers!) The only medical problem I had to deal with is gall bladder procedure that I had done a couple of years ago.
Not a bad medical record for my first forty years.

I am not afraid of growing old. I will embrace it. I look foward to being a grandfather one day. I look foward to holding my grandson or grandaughter. Here is to another forty years.

Teen angst

I met a client for lunch earlier this week. We were both talking about our kids and how they are growing up fast. Pretty soon both of my daughters will be teenagers

The teen years I believe are for discovery . My teen years were ok. I know I was a mischievous kid growing up. I liked to get into trouble quite a bit. I was also a selfish teen. I had moments as a teen that I am not proud of. I caused some heartache to my parents which I wish I could take back.

I do think my teen years made me stronger as a person. I know my daughters will be ok. I know me and my wife will be up to the challenge . Even if my daughters don't like what they hear at times from their parents, I know they will always love and continue to be there for me and my wife even into my senior years.

My sisters are living proof of that with my parents I will let you know how it goes with us.

On the move

Traveling is a requirement of my job. I did a blog post earlier on how much I miss my family when I am away. It's true. I carry a lot of pictures of my family on my Itouch when I travel. When I look at pictures of my girlies I get a level of anxiety that I don't like. I want to hold each one of them but I can't.

I will be home soon and hopefully I can take some time off to be with you guys. Until then.

Looking...

Look up

God will never leave of forsake you.

His word is a light unto your path.

Look out

Confide in a friend

Seek comfort and counsel in local resources.

Look in

Take an inventory of your feelings.

Journal your thoughts, ideas and progress.

Look for truth

Gather information and research your options.

Often natural inclinations are in opposition to God's ways.

Look realistically

Resist the temptation to change others.

Change what you can, accept what you cannot.

Look for balance

Take care of yourself.

Get enough rest, eat healthy,attempt to simplify life.

Look for laughter

A cheerful heart is like good medicine.

Choose joyful music, uplifting books, optimistic friends.

Look for hope

This too shall pass.

Dwell on what is good and worthy of praise.

Look for comfort

Read the Psalms.

Let others encourage you and find ways to encourage others.

Look for God's purpose.

Every experience has spiritual significance.

Press closer to God and allow him to deepen your faith.

-Glenda Hotton

Professor of Home Economics, Masters College

The office

I think one of my favorite TV shows is The Office.

How hope acts

There is a lot going on in some of my friends lives right now. I hope this helps them.

1. Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst in them.


2. Hope opens the doors where despair closes them.


3. Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot be done.


4. Hope draws its power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of mankind.


5. Hope lights a candle instead of cursing the darkness.


6. Hope regards problems, small or large as opportunities.


7. Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.

We can always hope.......

-Father James Keller

God's stress management plan

I normally don't press my religion on anyone. I thought this was interesting.

1. Workout your difficulties with others.

2. Help those around you.

3. Rejoice in the Lord always.

4. Slow down and be gentle.

5. Remember that God is near.

6. Let go of all your anxieties.

7. Hand them over to god.

8. Allow God's peace to guard your heart and soul.

10. Focus on the positives of life.

11. Do what you already knew you should do.

12. Be content with whatever situation you are in.

13. Claim the promise that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

14. Accept the help and encouragement of others.

15. Trust God to meet all of your needs.

16. Give God all the glory.

The Apostle Paul

Letter to Philippians, Chapter4

Milestones

Me and my wife have reached a milestone in our marriage. We have been married 13 years. Usually 13 is a unlucky number but I don't see it that way.

Let's count the 13 reasons me and my wife are lucky.

The first four are obvious.

1. Monica

2. Mia

3. Sofie

4. Brianna

5. Nice house

6. Good jobs

7. Good communication

8. A house full of love

9. Work through problems

10.Raising a houseful of kids (I would not have it any other way)

11.Loving extended family

12.Nice neighborhood

13.Good health

I met my wife in church. She was the choir director. I kind of new we would get married eventually but there was an event that moved things along. This was the birth of my oldest daughter Brianna. This event made us strong right from the start. Since Brianna's birth there has been three other daughters. I think my purpose in life is to raise these girls into responsible young women. I guess life works in funny ways. Now I can never be without any of them.