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.