What does the Future hold? Well, you only have to look in the past to find out. Because the past often repeats itself, just in new situations and circumstance. And that should bring you comfort because you made it through the past. It should also bring you hope because you can plot a general course for the future by learning the mistakes of the past.

So again I ask, What does the future hold? Day by day decision making that will forge your foundation. The strength of that foundation is up to you. For that is all you can do. Place your future upon your shoulders and make a way, even when the days seem grim. You’ve done it before and you can do it again.

This time look back at what you’ve been through and leave it in the past. Look at what you’re going through and learn the lessons life has provided in the present. And don’t worry about the future, you are well prepared for it.

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD – 180 AD)

We all have moments where we think everything is alright.  Money is straight. Love ones are straight. And you begin to think, I’m Okay.

Then the walls begin to crumble and you don’t know why it all starts to go wrong.

I got a little news for you.  So is life.  I’m not extremely happy right now, but I’m still looking for the point.  I know that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.  And I’m about full, so why does the onslaught continue?

All I can come up with, There is something I need to be a little stronger for.  I don’t assume to know God’s plan, but I know he loves me.  I know he watches me.

Sorry if this feels more like a journal than a blog, but I’m not going to tag this.  If you are reading this, God says help is on the way.   You are not here by mistake.  I’m writing this because this is not the first time I’ve felt this way, but it is the first time I felt the need to share it.  To let my own vulnerabilities show you it’s okay.  I’ll be here tomorrow, filling the internet with my thoughts, with a smile.

I hope this helps.  I don’t know who needed to hear this, but just writing it makes me feel better.  And maybe my day went so bad, so I had to write this.  So you could read this.  I’m telling you, THE LORD IS GOOD.

So many times, we know the right thing to say and do, but we do the opposite. We blame it on circumstance, when it’s really just selfishness. We want immediate gratification, knowing there will be a penalty in the end.

Even worse, we turn from God when we’re ashamed of the decisions we’ve made. That’s the time when we need him most. To fill of hearts with enough compassion to know that another decision is coming and it’s chance at redemption. What will you do next time you know you’re wrong?

“The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice” George Eliot (1819-1880)

Most times we look to family for insight. Even though they might not be the example you want to follow. The trick is to surround yourself with like-minded people.

Not people of the same color, religion, or political affiliation. People of the same character, moral values, and same desire to educate themselves and grow, financially and as a person.

“Ask advice only of your equals.” Danish Proverb

We love to complain about the things that affect us. But rarely do we look around to see how worse things could be.

We complain about being poor. When there are people who haven’t eaten a good meal in months. We complain about limited rights. When there are people who don’t have any. We complain about gas prices. When there are people who walk 20 miles to go to school.

Take a look at those around you and know you are blessed.

“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” Douglas Adams 1952-2001

Upon spotting a situation where your assistance could be helpful, don’t first question what’s in it for you. The benefits or problems of a particular outcome may not reveal themselves until ready.

Meaning. Six years down the road your blessing may come. Don’t worry. God always closes his tab. So in the mean time, rack up the blessing helping all you see just because you know he’s real.

“Be alert to give service. What counts a good deal in life is what we do for others.”

Choose wisely those you share your successes with. When you are happy and content and you want to shout about it, make sure you’re not surrounded by crabs in the barrel.

Those with no ambition will shoot yours down, and those who expect the most of you will always ask for more. Realize it is your path to take, and the chatter around you will always be there, just ease you mind and move forward. Don’t allow them to make you stand still.

Appearances can be deceiving. Deception can hide behind friendly words. Illness can hide between thick thighs.

Time and patience reveal more than a quick glance. Watch as they relate to others and if it contridicts your first opinion, believe it. There could be a reason they only show you the good.

“Acting is a form of deception, and actors can mesmerize themselves almost as easily as an audience.” Leo Rosten 1908-

The moment someone mentions faith, those who don’t believe have something to say. Yet, they have faith that their government will protect their speech.

Faith is important. Knowing you can accomplish something when all signs point to failure, faithful. Having that faith and letting the world see you wear it as a badge of honor, priceless.

“I always admired Atheists. I think it takes a lot of faith.” Northern Exposure1991

There will never be a situation that doesn’t contain problems, because nothing worth obtaining comes easy. The test is learning to deal with problem.

EXPECT PROBLEMS. That’s the key. Allow yourself a second to deal, then look for the path around or through it. This will give you time to process your next move, giving you some flexibility in reacting.

LET YOUR BIGGEST PROBLEM BE THOSE OF MORALS. Most problems aren’t that important and can be fixed by your need to move forward. Only those that affect your moral decision should you hold stead fast.

“I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming odds” Christopher Reeves (1952-2004)