Thursday en route;

Underneath the realities, I learned from my dad, who didn’t have a formal education but had doctorates from both the school of hard knocks and the Korean War (conflict).

He always modeled, that if you gave 110 percent, all the time, a lot of the hurt filled things that'll happen in this life, will be tempered by the knowledge that you were all in, ever present and accounted for!

And from those lessons learned along the way, and the continuing Joy of breathing still, for me, it's not consistent with a good life, whether or not I'm right, or validated by others, for the real answers are to be found in the way I live, in spite of those things!

And I like that.

Thursday then, and it feels good to heading off to: www.rivervalleycc.org

It's not work, so much as a joy to be welcome (d) and present at the same time...

Finalities

Endings and the way things begin, are often influenced by sound. Bird song, or ocean roar, the comforting voice of another even.

And days, days are influenced in that same way.

Be kind, walk softer, speak into that person.

In this way, outcomes are influenced and your smiling more...

Just wondering

To care, to share, to live and love, these universal things, these essential human aspirations, and all that's required to embrace them, is a strong enough desire for more than the less, you're presently trying hard not to be swallowed by!

Fear though, fear and the memory of loss hold so many still in place.

For if a tree can grow in Brooklyn,
and a rose was seen rising through the concrete of Oakland, what then can deny you the life your heart aches for?

Weak Ends;

Friday, and that can only mean the weekend is about to jump off again!

As we move about it, lets treat our Brothers and Sister with a greater degree of respect and compassion, for let me be the 1st. to say it;
some of us are having to fight the world, within our Christian relationships as well...

My Name;

Monday slides into night fall, and yes, the Brothers have lifted off into their own lives again.

Me, I enjoyed the Joy of being surrounded by the Power of a home full of Family, and yet, it's the after the visit that will radiate the furthest!

Nothing like the moment of course, but its those lives that we'll speak into now, that not so gentle nudge we'll give another that'll show this was just another example of why being Edward Jr. matters.

Thanks Dad..

They say it's your B/Day

Often, when the world's spinning just a little slower, off just to the left of that I'm supposed to be doing, there, I can see your smile.

Somehow in this refreshed state, there, your laughter reminds me that though not everyone understands how to live within themselves, you're doing quite a good job nonetheless!

Birthdays then, I suppose bring people together, but, the reality of our written knowledge of the other, keeps our bond intact....

Today though, is Moms.

Friday finds the family wrapped in the Joy of moms 80th. Birth Day hilarity!

Charles of course has a video that is not for wider distribution, and our man; Jonathan Gitsy Durham called with the BirthDay greetings from off the Island, so, to say that its a been a good time, more than likely, I'm leaving something out!

So find Joy in all that you're doing today, and remember your own mom. Ideally, she's a major part of how you move, but even if she's not, there's still time...

You know what beauty is(?)

Surrender.

Surrendering to the Most High moves me!

Surrendering to the reality that is your space in the relationship, now that('ll produce) pure adoration.

And I came to this while chopping broccoli.

Not that Love and food are connected, but with me, my sense of place and position isn't defined in some rigid, ethnocentric paradigm of manhood, for I am human 1st., then I slip into my personalty, which, finds me peeling the garlic now.

Black Man(Humor?)

http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/archive/2012/03/11 

Universe; let's look back(wards)

and then ahead to the future for a second;

"How many rivers do we have to cross,

Before we can talk to the boss?

Eh!

All that we got, it seems we have lost;

We must have really paid the cost."

Just saying, though the old wars are renewed again, and yet, isn't it obvious that's change done come for the people? I mean, I get the whole "we used to!", but that isn't what's happening anymore..

I liked this;

"When I say 'I am a Christian' 
I'm not aiming to be perfect;
My flaws are far too visible,
but God believes I am worth it."

Which isn't to say that what you believe(d) doesn't impact me,
but at the end of it all, you might not be where, I'm already going....

Defined;

hos·pi·tal·i·ty[hos-pi-tal-i-tee] noun, plural -ties.

1. the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.

2. the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

Weird, and yet, knowing the culture, not unexpected!

This weekend, make your enemies your friends, for making your friends into your enemies, well, we know where that gets you..

Phillipians 4:6

How do we really know what to say?

Why do we even think words, from our lips, can help? Empathy; like Love are subjective(s),
and though we know it when we experience it,
often, we can translate in a way that wounds, and/or offends.

Today, like so many(in my valley), my heart isn't right, and yet words fail me, so, in my failure to understand, there He is, my faithful Friend, and Counselor, reminding me through the struggle(s) that all is well nonetheless..