Thought for The Day - The Spirit

"The wind blows where it will. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 (NIV)

To me, I have a serious scowl; I often wonder how I get engaged in conversation since, each time I catch a glimpse of my reflection, the frown lines across my brow are fairly intense! But somehow, before I know it, people have me engaged in conversation and they receive the softer, inner core.

Internal motivation; though I struggled with it - and still do - I have come to admit I'm an artist. I struggled with it because there is a very practical, meat and potatoes side of me that believes in a strong work ethic. When I pick up a brush or pencil (working out the psychology as I go, folks, excuse the head turning, surprised expression on my face and the tears) I think there's a part of me that remembers my mother sitting on the phone and doodling. One of the first times I saw her doing this, I wanted to do the same thing. Somehow, relaxed, at ease. And yet the hard exterior of the world required no-nonsense, hard labor and getting stuff done.

And here I am, in my fifties and the many sides of me are being reconciled, brought together. I am an artist, but I am a messenger as well. I have an assignment to share goodness and kindness with people, often being no more than an ear and a smiling face. I allow people moments of ease, to relax and let go of tensions and worries. I see it in their face and body language when they are around.

"...but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going..."

Thought for The Day - The Pace

Treadmills are great at forcing you to keep up the pace! Dial in the desired speed, place your feet on the treadmill and you're off! And when you want to slow down or go faster, unless you change the rate of speed, it keeps going on and you have to keep up!

But life, or should I say "we, in life" like to slow down the pace! No matter how we try to maintain the path we're on, the activities in which we participate, at some point, we find it's too much for us and we need to slow it down! Weekends are an opportunity to do so, taking vacations are an opportunity to do so!

Personally, I'm an advocate of doing the same every day. There are moments in the day when you need to pause, perhaps in the middle of a busy day. The pace is one you choose, not what the world demands. Today, before the day gets away, before the world's pace sets the speed, determine your pace; you set the speed. Perhaps life will continue to move at it's pace, threatening to overrun you, but you have control over you.