The Long Way Up

This old gem of a blog post came from ten years ago when a slew of major life changes started taking place. Change is the only constant. The sooner we learn to adjust, the better will we be at adapting, adjusting, and innovating. - - - - - December 9, 2008 I had a conversation with my mother last week about my brother and sister-in-law starting a new life in New Zealand. We talked about them getting involved in the church there and how my sister-in-law has been saying that their fledgling congregation could use someone like me [down pride!]. I told my ma that my brother is the one who is needed in ministry there, that's why he's there. And she replies, "Well, he's still adjusting to life there." This got me to thinking last night while showering. "Isn't our life here on earth about adjustments anyway?" No matter how old or young we are, no matter how comfortable or uncomfortable our life situation may be, no matter how far

There is a need to state a few things more For a host of feelings and musings sore I'll say them soberly though not quite covertly I'm glad that we met until you tried to subvert me Ms. Understand, we couldn't see eye to eye My hands extended kindness but you went for a lie Not all affinities are subterfuge for some huge thing Now all's been drowned by a deluge of fawning Ms. Communicate, please think before you speak Your voice is too loud but your argument is weak The goodwill you've painstakingly tried to convey Came off rather sour as with all else you say Ms. Guided, you should have really thought first Look before you leap, or else get into more hurt No one made you a promise or gave you their heart You rolled the dice, missed a ladder, slid back to the start Ms. Interpret, you read me all wrong I had no secret agenda, but your game was strong Insisted there was something in my actions and words

Six months into an exciting, engaging, and exhilarating romantic relationship with my then-best-friend-now-girlfriend, my initial belief in the utmost significance of communication in fostering honesty, openness, and strong bonds of the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual kind has been gradually but steadily reinforced, applied, and lived out. From talking about the spiritual (faith and the rule of God) to the physical (health and food choices) to the musical (Scarypoolparty and Songland) to the extra special (travel plans and future goals), J and I have had awesome hours talking to each other, exchanging ideas and points of view as we both have a particular knack for meaningful dialogue and clever conversations. One major factor for our robust discussions is our ability to listen attentively while the other is talking . We both do love to talk -- a lot -- but we've come to a realization that in order to have effective communication in a relationship, we have to use our e

You are enough You do not need the superfluous trappings of fame Or the glare of a spotlight zeroed in on you You do not need thunderous applause to prop you up Because once that's gone, silence is all that's left You are enough You do not need people to hang on to your every word Or have droves at your beck and call; what for? You do not need the backing of the masses Just a few who truly want to walk and run with you You are enough You do not need to always be in control, or at all Or to know every single thing that happens around you You do not need to have your say in every situation Sometimes innocence and ignorance truly lead to bliss You are enough You do not need the fattest bank account in Zurich Or have five villas in Panchgani or Tamtattouchte You do not need to run after Aston Martins Because you are much more inestimable than that You are enough You do not need to have the highest paying job Or the m