Change

Pat Surface (one of my favorite singer/ songwriters) wrote a song called Changes. The chorus of
the song begins "There's going to be changes and rearranges". It reminds of a temporary change
I had to make this week.
I had to make the change to a trac phone as my  cell phone is getting fixed. Although I like to
think that I can easily adapt to anything life throws my way, I learned that is not always the case.
The first few days were very hard and I wasn't doing well. I am doing better and have accepted
this temporary change in my life.
A change can make your life better! Really? Really!
Life is all about changes. You have the power to change:

Your career path!

Your situation!

Your Attitude!

Be the Change! Just A Thought!

HOPE

Star Wars or Star Trek? As long as the science fiction genre continues, there will be this on-going debate.
You may enjoy watching the adventures of Luke and Leia  or anticipating the new Star Trek series.
There are the purists who will support one side or  the other.
There are a growing number of fans who wonder why they have make a choice.

There may be different characters with unique story lines as different as they are.

There is a common theme emerging:


HOPE!


HOPE for a better life.

HOPE in the midst of present circumstances.

HOPE for a brighter future.


I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL! PUN INTENDED!


JUST A THOUGHT: HOPE!

Reunions

Summer is a great time for reunions. There are class reunions, family reunions, weddings, etc. Being raised in a small family and marrying into a large family I have begun to appreciate these gatherings. I am truly blessed
with family and have enjoyed socializing with these people, especially when I make the effort to accept them
for who they are. In "A Very Brady Christmas" all the Brady children come home with their families, friends, and problems. Mike is making a speech about their gathering emphasizing that "we are here and we are family".
His sentiment goes beyond that gathering highlighting the point that "family" are those that will always be there for you! On your journey, remember that those people who are always there for you are your '"family".

Changes rearranges

One of my favorite lines from a Pat Surface song is "there are going to be changes and rearranges" which
is exactly the direction this blog is taking. One of my pet peeves is going to a website or blog and finding it
is "under construction". This blog will just steadily improve and will be a place of inspiration on your journey. Remember "Change" (on your journey) isn't always bad. Time to enjoy your journey!

2012

I often wonder what the future holds for me, reflecting on the past year and looking to the future. I am sure some people maybe be a little cautious or nervous based on what we have heard about the Mayan calendar. Who can forget Y2K? As you travel on your journey, what are you reflecting on and looking forward to? Don't let the external factors change your internal disposition! Journey on!

Time Flies!

As I look out the window, I have realized that I haven't blogged for awhile so here goes. My journey has been very busy and caused me to look at how I was spending my time.I have decided to combine all my blogs which may be great news for you.
Some entries may include items about my Catholic faith, music and musicals, books, movies, etc. You get the point. I hope you evaluate how you spend your time on your journey.
 One of my favorite songs is by a group called Small Potatoes. The song is Time Flies. I hope you give a listen.





 

Change ahead!

Twice a year, I evaluate my life and look at the things that need to be changed. As students return the classroom, I examine my own life lessons, setting goals and priorities. Personally, some of these changes will be difficult, but most will be fairly easy. For my readers (which I am grateful for), I will be doing more blogging. My changes include the realms of "spiritual, physical, emotional, financial and creative". This blog will also include audio content on occasion, which will allow you to listen and not always have to read.

 In my life, the times I've noticed that my world becomes stagnant or depressing, I have learned it is because I have not been using my "creativity".  I am very excited about these changes and look forward to inspiring you on your journey. My challenge: If your life is stagnant or depressing, a better life is only a "change " away. It might not be easy. It might take all your strength. It might challenge you in ways you never thought possible. It will be worth it. Don't complain about your circumstances, change them. On your journey there will be many changes. Be the Change!

Freedom

I hope everyone had a great Fourth Of July celebration! It is hard to believe that summer is here. As I was celebrating by spending time with family, I took the time to remember those who have and those who are fighting for our freedom. Also I took time to remember the families who are making a sacrifice as well.
I hope along with the outdoor barbecues, fireworks, parades, etc. you took time to remember and honor those heroes. We all know that Freedom isn't Free! I hope you enjoy and appreciate your freedom on your journey!
                                                      Journey On!

The End of the World

Harold Camping predicted the end of the world would come on May 21, 2011. The same guy originally predicted the world would end September 6, 1994. This posting is not to make fun of or criticize Mr. Camping, but to think about this reality: There will be a point in time when your physical life will end, no matter what religion you are. Death is a reality. The question I ask is what would you do do if you knew it was your last day, your last hour, your last minute? Every day you are one day closer. Every hour you are one hour closer. Every minute, you are a minute closer. A positive thought to ponder: How would you spend this time if you knew it was your last day on this earth? In an interview, Michael Landon made the comment that they should tell us that we are dying! Remember to live each day as if it were your last and one day you will be right! Journey on!

A Matter of Perspective!

My wife always reminds me that everything in our lives is always "a matter of perspective". Most of us have those years or times when we are "soul searching". During this period in my life,  I was "positive" about life but "negative" about my situation and myself. I realized that I needed to work on how I felt about myself and situation. Through wonderful self-help books and Cds, I have done that. There are a lot of resources we can you use to turn on journey from "negative" to "positive". No matter where you are at on this journey of life, a lot of times you just need to change your perspective. Journey On!

Why Saint Patrick's Day Matters! March 17th

When George Washington took office in 1789, there were 30,000 Catholics in America. John Adams said they were "scarce as earthquakes." But by 1850, Catholics had become—and remain, today—the country's largest religious denomination. One factor explains this growth: immigration. Since the Irish were the first immigrants to significantly impact Catholic American life, and with St. Patrick's Day approaching, this week offers a good moment to examine their experiences and their impact.

Perhaps no immigrant group has been a greater force on American Catholicism, both in numbers and leadership. Irish immigration had been steady since colonial times, but until the 1840s it was mainly Protestant. By 1800, about 80 percent of Ireland was Catholic, but before the infamous "Penal Laws" were removed, they couldn't vote or hold office, and many professions were closed to them.

Between 1780 and 1840, Ireland's population nearly doubled. Even in the pre-Famine years, poverty was widespread. The social reformer Frederick Douglassvisited in 1845. A former slave, he commented: "of all the places to witness human misery, ignorance, degradation, filth and wretchedness, an Irish hut is preeminent." The peasant diet consisted almost entirely of potatoes, a fairly nutritious food.

Find this and more at the following link: www.patheos.com.

Enjoy! Have a Happy Saint Patrick'a Day!

Cowardly Lion!

 I recently experienced the same thing the cowardly lion did in the Wizard of Oz. I wasn't "cowardly" but was in a place where I was upset and frustrated with myself. A very special person in my life showed me the "king" I was inside to rise above this situation. On your journey, know that you can rise above the challenges and the frustrations, and become the "king" or "queen" you were meant to be. Journey On!

Happy Valentines Day!

One of my favorite television shows is Glee. A recent episode called "Fireworks" was considered the shows "Valentines" episode. What surprised me about the episode was the ending. Kurt and the "Warblers" sang at a lonely hearts club dinner. Some of the characters, for whatever reason, were alone on Valentine's day.

As you celebrate this day with that special person in your life, I hope you reach out to those who are alone and maybe lonely. Could be a widow, shut-in, or someone in the hospital. On your journey I hope you take time to read about the life of St. Valentine and celebrate this day of love!

Just Smile - Glee cover

SMILE.wmv

Smile!

On my journey, there have been times when I find myself in a rut, and haven't had much to smile about or laugh. Recently while listening to one of my favorite pod casts, I was reminded that smiling and laughing are good for a person and even healthy! No matter how busy your life gets, I hope you do things that make your smile. I enjoy playing one of my musical instruments. That will usually put a smile on my face! Could be talking to a friend, watching a funny movie, or a favorite hobby of yours! I hope on your journey you take time to smile and laugh!

Remember the secret to life is to enjoy the journey! Smile! Laugh! Journey!

Seasons

Thanksliving

Expect The Unexpected!

Hope this season has been a great one for you. I know this season hasn't been that way for me. Although for various reasons, this hasn't been a great "season" for me, there are things that remind me about life: Expect The Unexpected! Your journey may appear to be going smooth and then it will turn rocky. In these "unexpected times" is when we turn to our friends and family to get us through those times. Dorothy and her friends didn't always know what to expect on their way to Oz, but they had each other to laugh with, cry with, share with. I hope on your journey when those "unexpected seasons" come into your life, remember your friends and family will be there to help you through it. Journey on!

Podcasts and Perseverance

On our journey, there are always times when we need encouragement to persevere when we are going through tough times. On their journey to see the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her friends, had each other for encouragement and support. There are several things I used throughout the years that have encouraged me on my journey. Currently I listen to a lot of pod casts that have helped me during the hard times. I hope you find encouragement (friend, letter, card, CD, etc.) to help you on your journey!