Living with assumed thankfulness . . .

Learning in life is a wonderful joy. I am blessed by being in the world - Parent - and now being taught about teenagers. When my kids were first born I did everything for them. I worked and lived to care for every need they had. I even cleaned their nasty dirty diapers. I did all these things never once needing the "thank you". However, now, I desire appreciation. I want an acknowledgement of thanks. When I do not feel as if I am appreciated for going out of my way to make my teenagers lives better, I feel angry. I am frustrated by this disrespect. Wait one moment here, when I was feeding, caring and cleaning this child, I assumed they were thankful and that was good enough. Now, today, I desire a word to express thanks or I see this absence as disrespect. Today, I need to embrace assumed thankfulness on the part of my teenage children at time and allow them to continue to grow. I do believe my kids are thankful. It is time for me to get over some stupid stuff that I struggle with and let my kids continue to grow. I am a blessed and thankful parent. I must allow KINDNESS rule! Peace!

Days like this . . .

I woke up tired today. I decided to get on the scale. I look at the sky and it is wet and dark looking. I feel the emotional clouds push in and I feel inside my soul a weather change. Today has been one of those days.
Peace

Today I begin . . .

Swing by for a visit. I begin a new 365 project. I am using the statement "things in my world" as the springboard for this project. I may ask to take your photo if you are in my world in the coming year. Have an amazing day.
Peace

http://365project.org/soulloon/365

Things in my world.

I am interested in making another 365 photo project to chronicle things one may find in my world. Here is a little photo from my world. Peace

Prompt for today!

Why would you continue to pursue something even though it may be unattainable?

I continue to chase hard after my dream though the reality of attainment seems to always be out of grasp. My dream began when I was young. I set my sights on a fixed point somewhere in my future. My dream had a point in time beginning that moved on into fulfillment. I made it to the point in time. However, I have still not been able to grasp and take hold of that which I so desperately desire. My unfailing commitment has left me a sad and lonely man at times along this journey called life. The dream however is still as strong inside me as the day I first dreamed the dream!

English Constructed Response . . .

Choosing either the Nurse OR Friar Lawrence, explain his or her role and whether or not the character is acting responsibly in helping Romeo and Juliet make their relationship work.

On a simple morning, the Nurse, in her complete lack of responsibility, set into motion the dominos that would spell the demise for these two young lovers. The nurse alone at the beginning of this twisted story could have spoken wisdom to her young weaned suckling, Juliet. However, caught in the game of love, she acted out foolishly like a young girl, herself no longer. Placed closer to Juliet than any other human, she could have yelled warning, but continued down this simpletons path. Entertaining Juliet's fascination with this Romeo only fanned the flames to make her passion burn hotter. To make matters worse, the nurse in both Acts II and III becomes the messenger between them both. At a time when her primary job was to shelter and protect, the Nurse, for some unnamed reason began to expose and neglect. The Nurse, by not standing strong, became entangled in this web of hidden love. It was the Nurse, in the Dance Hall, with her words and actions that allowed this infatuation to burn out of control. The simple words from a trusted Nurse would have set this story on a completely different course instead of its current curse.

Amazement in today . . .

I am here in English class listening to Romeo and Juliet. The story is interesting and moving all at the same time. Today, we heard the anger of Juliet's father. I do not like my own anger and rage. Anger in rage does not build up - it destroys. The destruction affects everyone in many different ways. The greatest devastation though I find in my own soul. I loathe my own anger and rage. I long for the day when anger no longer rules places in my heart. I long for the freedom that is found in forgiveness.
I am thankful for the moment that is now! I do so enjoy my life and my work. I am blessed with a wonderful wife and three lovely children. I am able to live in a nice house, and we share our space also with a little dog. What a amazing story.
I must tell the truth here today, life is difficult. Many times more difficult than it needs to be. Why do we as humans make some things so much more complicated than they have to be? It seems we chose the most difficult road to get through some of life's challenges. I will also say that this blog may only be my life story. I am not saying that this tells your life story.
When I was a young man I was a dreamer. I longed to love and be loves. I was a hopeless romantic. I am now 46 years old and time has caused my light and hope to dim. I am sad by this realization. I still long for many things, however, it seems that each day takes me one step farther from my dream. How do you explain this loss? How does one deal with something that could be and should be realized during said lifetime? I am at a loss! I am stumped by this reality. However, even in this, I am thankful. I am blessed. I do in no way take my lot in life for granite. I am grateful to God my creator for the way he has made me and where he has placed me. I am a happy man. I am a blessed man. I am a thankful man. I am also a deep man. I am a man of few sorrows. However, the sorrow that I carry is deep and to the core of my being. I do no allow my sorrow to determine who I am and at the same time it dominates the very fiber of my being. I carry about in my body a curable sorrow that is not being cured.
Having said all the mess above I want you to know that I am built to be an exhorter. The spiritual gift of exhortation is:
to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be.
I at the same time want to be all God wants me to be. At times I am most encouraged in life and as a person when I am able to love and walk with others through the challenges of life. I do have HOPE! I do believe that one day my sorrow will be turned into JOY. I want all to know that I choose happiness even in the midst of my sorrow. It is, at times, a quite strange combination.
I am praying for you today. If your eyes find this blog I may never know. I pray that you will know Jesus. He is amazing! Peace

Love Hurts . . .

This weekend is homecoming here at Novi High School. Today was green and white day as these are our school colors. Also the cheer leaders sold roses. What a lovely flower. Have you ever felt the petal? What an amazingly smooth feeling. The scent is also captivating. However lovely and refreshing this flower is, it also has a stem full of sharp thorns. What would love be in a pain free environment? Do you believe it is possible to be human and be acting in love and not be hurt along the way? I have loved and been hurt along the way. I have also love another and have hurt them along the way and for that hurt I am truly sorry. It has never been my intention to hurt another person. If I have hurt you in any way, please let me know and allow me to make things right as much as humanly possible. Now back to some of my thoughts. As humans we are by nature going to be selfish and self centered at times and hurt others that we love. Love as well as life involves risk. Love is risky. Love is also a choice! We can choose to love. The danger within love is the strong desire to be loved. We all want to be loved and accepted by others. At times our desire to be loved has the potential to put us in dangerous situations. What I mean by this is our desire to be loved at times will keep us in potentially dangerous relationships. It is important to be able to distinguish between healthy and in healthy relationships. Today, I pray for me as well as you that we love with purity and clear intentions.
One other thought about love. We must allow ourselves to love and be loved by ourselves. Spend some time in the mirror and love the person you are. I mean now. Find a mirror, and look at that person. Yes, look at you deep into the eyes. Allow you to get to know you. Spend time and allow you to forgive yourself for anything. Remember, you are the best you you have at this moment. Love you, accept you as you are today, and work on the you that you want to become. Enjoy this moment. Peace

Well, it happens . . .

I wonder at times why some things happen. This morning one of my students did not ride the bus. When this student is absent, it is my job to inform one of his teachers. I found this information out in an unfortunate email as a "reminder" sent to many folks including our supervisor. What made this email unfortunate is the teacher never minded to inform us in the first place. This email frustrated me, I will not lie. I was a touch hot. Justified in my own eyes or not, I hate this feeling. Well, as the days progress the student was again absent. I went to inform his teacher, following the "reminder", to which she replied she already knew. So I went on with my day. So, again today the student is not here. I was talking to some folks I work closely with about my frustration at following through and not receiving any thanks or any acknowledgment of doing right. No simple thank you for the information. This feeling of a lack of common respect is frustrating. Well, as I was sharing my frustration, I happened to see the teacher I was frustrated with come out of the room down the hallway from where I was. Now, I must tell you that I am loud and my voice carries. So. I am somewhat positive she may have heard me. I will also admit this teacher is difficult for me to talk to. Her personality to me is condescending and dismissive. I know this is my issue and I have to learn to live with these feelings in a positive way. Scripture tells me first off consider my own offensiveness or plank in the eye before I try to help or fix someone else. Also, it teaches me to forgive others their offenses as I would want forgiveness. It also teaches me to pray for those that appear to be doing me wrong. What about the teachers feelings? Maybe she is praying for me because I have done her wrong. Maybe she is praying that I would not be so self centered and see the bigger picture. I have so much to learn about walking Godly in this present age. I live my life with the false belief that I am never wrong. Now that is some of the most faulty thinking I have ever heard. I desire to live Godly today, this moment and among all men. I have so much to learn. I now stop and ask the Holy Spirit to turn my self-righteousness into God honoring holiness. Thank you for allowing me to use this blog as a confessional booth. It is my prayer that my foolishness will be an opportunity for others as well as myself to learn and grow. Peace

New Roof

Today was an interesting day. This is the very first time I have ever had a roof replaced. I am so thankful that I have someone I trust that worked on my roof. Trust, there is an important word. What is TRUST? I want to think about that word for a while. The roof is replaced. I now have to paint and ready the trim for new gutters. Peace.

Looking up . . .

I am sitting here in my back yard. Amazed at watching some confident hard working men remove my old roof. I am so thankful to be able to watch my home be re-roofed. It is odd, I lack confidence when it comes to many things about my home. Lets see, how many roofs have I done in my lifetime. NONE. Where does confidence come from exactly? I will ponder this thought today. Peace.

An English class prompt.

What is the significance or importance of masks at the end of act one in Romeo and Juliet?
I believe masks are important at this point of the play for two obvious reasons as well as one that is more elusive. To begin, we have a Capulet party being attended by a Montague. The hatred between these two families is intense to the point of bloodshed. Masks were necessary for concealment. The masks were also necessary for containment. Romeo's mask was important to hide his downtrodden spirit by the rejection of his minds love Roselyn. The poem "We Wear the Masks" by Paul Laurence Dunbar touches the human struggle of the masks we choose at times to wear. "We wear the masks that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,-" is one such quote that points to the use of masks to hide the visible nonverbal reality of the lives we live. We all at times have chosen the mask we wear. To live open, raw, even naked if you will is just to intense for mere humans to endure. What mask are you wearing? When do you allow yourself to hang the mask and be real, raw, naked? Enjoy these thoughts. Peace

On the road to Hell . . .

On the road to Hell . . .
Originally uploaded by SoullooN

Where is the road you are on taking you? My son and I had the joy of driving around Michigan. We were on our way to Hell . . . It is not a highway and there were not many people going there but we had a fun day. Took some photos and had some snacks. Then we got the heck out of Hell. It is my prayer that you will hear Jesus in your lifetime. Enjoy your day and cosider the road you are on. Peace.

To answer a question.

A friend asked what are my hobbies. I have several hobbies.
First, I love life. I am so thankful to be me. I am blessed by the life I am able to live. This does not mean that there are not difficult parts of life. I have my share of frustrations, challenges, and setbacks. Overall however I choose to focus on the truth that I am blessed and thankful for life.
Second, I love to write. I enjoy journaling. I have an amazing leather journal and great pens that I use. I love to pen my thoughts my hopes my fears my hurts my dreams my reality my everything. I also enjoy writing to others. I am able to send postcards through a site called postcrossing. I am built by God the Creator or everything that is to be an encourager and edifier. I love speaking hope into another persons life. It gives me joy and breath to be able to love people in this way. I am blessed and I am thankful.
Third, I love photography. I am on Flickr - look me up if you get a chance. My name on there is SoullooN. I was able to take part in a project called 365. I took a photo every day for an entire year. It was awesome. I want to do another one soon.
Fourth, I love balloons. They are wonderful and bring color and cheer. One of my most favorite quotes is from that amazing philosopher Winnie the Pooh - "No one can be uncheered with a balloon". If you are sad today, stop by the store and buy you some balloons and allow yourself the simple joy of play for a moment.
Fifth, I enjoy Geocaching. It is a fun worldwide game of hide and seek using GPS units and clues. Look it up on google and learn. I have fun each time I am able to play. Look me up my name is Reltots17.
Sixth, I love riding my beach bike Bella. I need to ride more often than I am currently. I believed that I have posted a blog about Bella in the past. If I have not I will get right to writing one.
Seventh, I love pens. I love my family. I love my work. I love connecting with people. I love figuring out solutions to problems. I love Jesus. I love the bible. I love my church. I love life!
Well, there you go! I hope I have been able to answer the question of what are my hobbies. See you around.
Peace

Physical Fitness

Today I am in a class that teaches fitness. I am weak in the area of fitness. I tend to be an undisciplined man and it is taking its toll upon my life. The time is now for me to take small steps to improve me. I am the only one who can make me a better me. I begin today to become a better me. Peace

Just a minute now . . .

Do you believe in love at first sight?
I believe in love at first sight. Love is so much more than just a warm fuzzy feeling that you get deep inside your soul. Love is a decision that is wrapped in a commitment. To love one must understand the object or person loved. I love the BMW M6. This car captures my wildest imagination and cries out to me from a far. I dream of owning and being owned by this movement machine. Currently this love affair remains illusive due to my lack of adequate funding. Now onto more pressing personal matters of the heart. I was captured by the beauty of a young maiden some 24 years ago. Smitten if you will by Cupid's arrow. In love I was and today more in love than I thought humanly possible. Yes, I do believe in love at first sight. I only hope you will know of love in such a way as I have. Enjoy this moment and keep your eyes open. Today may be your love smitten day. Peace


(a writing prompt from English 9)