Sound The Alarm

Audio post> Sound The Alarm! by shesonhersoapbox on SoundCloud

Chasing The Mirage

As I navigate thru the Valley of Desolation
Loneliness sets in...
In the distance I see you
You call to me
Memories of the world's most beautiful smile 
The deepest most familiar eyes
Draw me to you
Hope...the hope of dwelling in the land of Fulfillment renews my strength
Two hearts that beat as one
Two brains that think not only in harmony, but sing the same melody
Two bodies that acknowledge the same fantasies
The quest for a life fulfilled draws me to you....
I step forward in trust, and reach out to you 
*Poof*
And just like that,
You're gone
Again...

I have had a few life challenges pop up on my path lately. The past couple of days have been....challenging for lack of better words. We all have our philosophies when it comes to life and God and faith. I try to sit in a seat of non-judgement concerning anyone else's thoughts and views. I will be the first to admit that I have it far from all figured out. But, my faith in God is strong. My dependence on the finished work of Christ for my salvation is set. For those foundational beliefs, I am a woman most grateful.

There are only a handful of people I have enough confidence in to reach out in a time of need. A Clarion call for prayer does not come lightly from me. Not only because I have trust issues, but because I tend to reach out to those who are kindred in my belief system. "Can two walk together unless the be agreed?" {Amos 3:3} My circle, though it be small is full of support.

Yesterday, in the midst of a lower point, right when I could have used someone to lean on, I found myself alone. It served as a most important reminder to me. When I am without my supports, God is there with me. In fact, the crowding of others input and opinions would have probably drowned out what it is HE wanted me to hear. God spoke to my heart yesterday, and gave me understanding and illumination on circumstances that I would have never even seen. Not only that, He put me in a position to be a blessing to someone else. But what it took for me to be in that position was the complete emptying of myself and everything I had.

I had a scary and confusing moment where I doubted what I know he had given me the unction to do. But, by grace I got it done. So here I sit. In the midst of less than opportune circumstances.  I'm hopeful, and humble, and yes even HAPPY. My walk with My God is an ever evolving journey or revelation and fulfillment. I would that everyone in search of fulfillment and understanding find what they need.

Peace and blessings to you my friends.

Extreme Living... How's that working out for you?

I'm wondering how the wonderful world of extremism is going for those who live that way. Is it just me or have you noticed how unhappy and contentious people who operate by those principles seem to be? All or nothing is a stance that seems to be fairly unproductive in most cases. There are exceptions to every rule. Aside from that, what works for one person, may not be right for someone else.

There is a serious decline in critical thinking in society these days. Let me implore you to live a thoughtful purposeful life. Anything less than that is little more than exsisting. I know it can be comforting to fall back on prescribed schools of thought that have already been established. But, group think is a scary thing. You can be a part of a group and still have your own opinions. If you can't, you're part of the wrong group!

I sit back day after day and see people who are part of a community proclaim, "It's my way or the highway!" Most of them are contentious and angry. I see a trend in trying to rebuff and vilify anyone with an opposing philosophy. Why? In order for you to be right does someone else have to be wrong all of the time. Since when is someone's wrongness an automatic gateway into villain-hood? This train of thought is woefully lacking in too many ways to characterize.

No one gets their way all the time. If you are expecting to have your way all the time, expect to continue living that frustrated, upset, irrational course that you are on. I have personally watched people isolate family members and friends who choose different life choices. It's been a sad observation. In the end no one really wins. Such behavior is usually rooted in control an manipulation. If the point of contention is not life threatening, why are you so insistent that a person act and live according to your prescribed way of life.

I went to hear Dr. Ben Carson speak a few months ago. His words gave life to my emotions on this subject. He said if I might paraphrase; "Quit thinking that everyone needs to act exactly how you act. Everyone does not need to live just like you live. Everyone is not going to have the same exact thoughts and opinions as you. If to people act, walk, talk, dress, and feel the same way, only one of them is needed." Your's truly initiated thunderous applause in an auditorium full of people.

Differences in people make the world go 'round. Vive la différence! Dwell you must in the land of extremisim. A place where you MUST have your way. A place where what YOU want takes precedence over every other person's choice and opinion. Here I abide in the land of moderation. A place where I respect your right to your own opinion, even if I have no respect for the opinion you hold. I will sit back and enjoy the show....

Some Things are Universal

I am not sure what I identify with more. The look of love and happiness in the eyes of a person when the've found true love, or the look of anguish after losing a someone. I was just browsing the internet news. I saw a picture of a young Hollywood starlet who is back in the spotlight after a recent breakup. I felt an immediate kindred connection with the sadness in her eyes. She is in pain. Her hair is spectacular, her outfit is stunning, the makeup....flawless. But her eyes, the window to her soul, they speak the truth. The truth is, she has loved and lost.

I know I recently wrote a letter to Hollywood denouncing my personal interested in all it has to offer. I spoke of the plastic nature of personalities and lifestyles. But, far be it for me to dismiss the humanity of a person. I am not without empathy or sympathy. A person in pain is a person in pain, and I feel for you. A person in love is a person is love and I toast you.

That glimpse at her humanity was a reminder that you shun the practice of things that profit you little. However, we must shun the practice not the person. Our ability to relate to another individual is what separates people from most other animals. Wishing that young lady a path to healing and happiness.

Can We Fix It? Yes We Can! ...Maybe...Hopefully...

I found these interesting pieces of pottery on a recent shopping expedition. They incorporate nicely with the color schematics of my interior design. Being that I'm raising little ones, I put all breakable merchandise out at my own risk. 

My adorable  rambunctious daughter broke said pottery last week. After 2 solid weeks of lecturing the need to be careful with/and around fragile things, she knocked it over in her haste. Needless to say, I was not at all happy. After all of my lamentations, my vessel was broken. 

When the smoke cleared and cooler heads prevailed I carefully examined the broken pieces. Could I fix it? It was worth a shot... I picked up the broken pieces and carefully mended it back together. When I was finished it looked at it had never been broken. I was amazed at how perfectly put together it appeared. It was impossible to see that it had ever been broken,

Recently I looked at the broken vase. It gave me hope that broken people can be put back together also. Often times we take calculated risks that can cause is pain and injury. Trust is a calculated risk... love is a calculated risk. Everybody goes through drama and tribulation. Some people are broken and poorly pieced back together. But, this vessel was a pleasant reminder that even if you have been completely broken there is a chance that you can once again be made whole. Can you fix it? It's worth a shot...

I've done some deep introspection today. I'm looking deeper than I have looked in a very long time. And I actually try to examine myself and grow. I'm not sure of the person who is looking back at me right now. This is not a pleasant space to be in. I don't have much more to say on this subject right now. I just have to keep soul searching...