3.19.2013

Struggle

January 05, 2013 Life without war is impossible in the natural and supernatural realm. It is a fact there is a continuing struggle in the physical, mental, moral and spiritual areas of life. To determine if we are on the side of good or evil, we must look at the condition of our soul. Is the core of our being tainted with selfishness, lying, stealing, cheating, gossip, prejudice, anger, greed, laziness, arrogance, lust, jealousy, or gluttony? A person does not have to align themselves with a devil in order to be evil, just like we don't have to believe in God in order to be good. But know this... if a person's faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith. Moral virtue is both acquired and determined by the choices we make in ordinary situations. If we are not on a path of self-improvement, pursuing a character of excellence, then by default we slip into a gray area dangerously close to the dark side. If we do nothing, then we decay and evil prospers. Our downfall comes from losing the battle within our minds, producing decisions that bring us pain and regret. We are each endowed with special talents to contribute to this world. We are urged to use those skills for good. What this world needs is more kindness and generosity and forgiveness, more people loving one another rather than indulging our own vices. We should not wait for truth and redemption to stumble upon us. We must seek it daily, rooting ourselves in a personal relationship with our creator, so that we cannot be shaken by circumstances. Learn to fight against and overcome the things that come against us... and in a way produce a balance between our own temptation toward natural tendencies and doing the right thing. Then it becomes a delight to meet opposition, because we realize struggle is the essence of building strength ...and being alive.

Fight To Understand

Some peace is only found on the other side of war. By that I mean we have to fight for our relationships: partners, friends, family. Fight with the intention to understand. Fight to BE understood. Fight to say I'm sorry. Fight to forgive. Don't fight to prove you're right... fight to make the relationship right. Like a bleeding wound needs pressure, bandages and care to heal... take care to fight for each others' life. Be sensitive, serve, protect, the end target should be peace. And if the other person has an antagonistic spirit, never wanting to make peace, then throw a water balloon at their head, when they least expect it. And walk away.

Love Your Neighbor

Journal Entry October 14, 2012

So I was sitting in a cafe tonight ...a few tables over was an old man with a scruffy beard, looking unkempt and despondent. I figured him for a drifter. He commented about the pouring rain outside and how it prevented him from being able to walk anywhere... I smiled & nodded, semi brushed him off, avoiding conversation...then I thought to myself *SHAME ON ME, I should acknowledge him the same way I would anyone else*. I glanced back in his direction and we made eye contact...

KC: Where are you from? Do you live near here?
Drifter: It's not where I'm from that matters, it's where I need to go.
KC: Oh ya, where's that?
Drifter: Over by the university.
KC: Wow, that's about a half hour walk from here.
Drifter: With my old bones it's more like an hour for me. I've been here all day waiting for the rain to stop.
KC: It's coming down pretty hard out there...would you like a ride?
Drifter: yes please.
KC: Okay, let me pack up my things and I will go get my car. Wait for me by the front door.
Drifter: Thank you.
*in the car*
KC: Where exactly do you need to go?
Drifter: The Rendezvous Cafe...it's open until 3AM. I stay there every night until they close. I'm homeless, but I try to stay off the street. I don't want to be a nuisance to anyone.
KC: Do you have a place to sleep?
Drifter: Yes, a kind Asian man lets me sleep in his basement, but I stay out of his house as much as possible. I walk around the city most of the day, but I can't do that, when it's raining like this...I stayed in that cafe all day. Sometimes I work, but it's only part time. I work for an elderly lady. take care of her yard. She pays me a hundred dollars a week and I buy food with that.
KC: What work experience have you done before?
Drifter: Mostly military and restaurants.
KC: When were you in the military?
Drifter: From 1970-1974, then I joined another branch from 1976-1980.
KC: Wow, so you were a career soldier for a while...were you ever in combat?
Drifter: Yes, I was in Viet Nam, but I don't like to talk about what I saw over there...because... what's the point? People don't realize how difficult it is for soldiers to come back to a normal life. We aren't the same. It's not what you see in Hollywood.
KC: I'm sure it was horrible in Viet Nam. I'm sorry you had to experience that. How long have you been in Ann Arbor? My name is Kasey by the way...
Drifter: I'm Mack. I moved to Ann Arbor 2 years ago. Before that I lived in the Upper Peninsula. I stayed in the woods, but things got reeeeal bleak, so I decided to move here.
KC: Did you have a tent?
Mack: Sometimes. And I had work there, but when work was slow, it got real tough. You can let me out at that corner.
KC: No, it's still raining pretty hard, I will drop you off at the front of the cafe.....here it is...alright you have a good night, brother.
Mack: Thanks for the ride. Good night.

*Driving away... it weighed on my heart to stop at Walgreen's to pick up some things for Mack, then I returned to where I dropped him off...the section of the cafe open until 3AM was really a smoking lounge...upstairs...I pushed my way through the crowded room and found Mack sitting there at a table by himself with his head in his hands...I tapped his shoulder...*

KC: Hi Mack, I bought you an umbrella. Here in this bag is a pair of gloves too...and I got you some medicine...I want you to take it for that cough.
Mack: Thank you so much.
KC: Shake my hand...I have something for you, but I don't want anyone else to see...it's 50 bucks...and a card with my phone number...if you are ever in trouble, or if you ever need help...you call me okay? Have a good night now : )
Mack: God bless you! Thank you!

-- I journaled this event as a reminder that I should be kind and generous more often. It's a natural tendency to focus on our own needs, becoming unaware of what's going on around us. Life seems to be more fulfilling though, when we reach out to people. I know helping Mack was right...and I wish I could do more. While I wouldn't let just any stranger into my car, Mack had a good vibe. I trusted God and the universe that I would be protected while doing the right thing. I hope my heart continually makes adjustments in the direction of humility...that I will never be too self-absorbed to help someone, I could easily have a less-fortunate life, I have been blessed and I should share.