Ripples on the Pond of Lifeby Von E. Weeks |
| Yesterday I saw something that delighted my intellect as the images caught my eye, The picturesque images that unfolded were as dazzling as colors of a rainbow filling the sky. The mental picture I discovered helped me to form a kaleidoscope in the recesses of my heart, I saw a community pulling together, loving a family whose child from earth, did recently depart. The insightful memories I received form this gathering are treasures of infinite worth, The lessons God taught me were rejuvenating and gave my value system order and rebirth. As adults we’re constantly seeking the acclaim and recognition of fortune, power, and fame, A child of twelve who sought only LOVE, received recognition that would put most leaders to shame. Last night at a memorial for this twelve-year-old girl, I realized our lives are like ripples in a pound, The behavior that we emulate causes ripples in the lives of other long after we are dead and gone. The outcome each life has on others, is so different, yet the effects of LOVE, is always the same, Some people are full of sorrow, some are burdened with sadness, and some have wild souls to tame. Success motivates some; some seek the praises of man, while other only want to please God, Those people most treasured, are those who seek and give LOVE while earth’s journey they plod. Love’s like a rock thrown into a pool, rippling through the life of others, changing the waters of life, As we travel through the pool of life, LOVE changes us cutting through our souls like a knife. What kind of a ripple will “YOU MAKE” as you swim the turbulent waters of mortality? Will you leave a legacy of loving friends and family, who cherish and treasure you as nobility? Will you seek a life of selfish gratification, indulging each one of your selfish little wants and needs? Or will you choose to follow the example of Christ and live for serving others in all of your deeds? No matter which path you follow you may receive adoration and praises as you leave this earthly realm, But the reasons for the praise will be completely different if LOVE is directing your helm. If LOVE is the reason your fellowmen stand and give their heart-felt adoration and praise, You can be sure that the souls of your friends were changed by the gift of your earthly days. If indulgence of your earthly needs is the achievements of your earthly strife and toil, Your passing will be no more important than a blade of grass wilting in infertile soil. So please remember each day you live your actions are gently rippling, making their mark, Change the direction your walking, it’s not going to be easy, because life’s not a walk in the park! Today I plead, open your eyes, and begin rippling you’re way into the very crevasse of another’s soul. Those ripples of LOVE will come back in waves of affection from your fellowman making you whole. May each of us come to understand that LOVE and service is the only worthwhile thing in life that we can do, And when our journey is over, it will be the LOVE for God and our fellowman, which carries us through. Dear God, Please grant me to have the wisdom to LOVE thee and my fellowman, properly every single day, So as I am remembered, for the deeds of my life, LOVE will be the predominate word my fellowman say. |
| Von E. Weeks Copyright 2003 |
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Ripples
Have you ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Maybe not the entire world, but yours is plenty heavy on its own. I feel like that sometimes. It seems like I can't make any decisions for myself without imagining the thousands of possible effects that one decision will have on my family, my friends and my entire future. I always thought it was cool that if I had done one tiny thing differently, my present reality would be completely changed. Recently it's like the opposite thoughts are occurring. One tiny drop of indecision and over-analysis takes me out of the moment totally and catapults me into an unsure future of uncertainty and judgement.
Friday, February 3, 2012
The grass deserves to be greener?
I was talking with a coworker recently about relationships. He was saying how sad it was that the divorce rate is so high in this country. According to statistics at http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/peo_div_rat-people-divorce-rate, almost five out of every one thousand people in the US are divorced.
This conversation got me thinking. We talk about this generation not having the commitment levels of generations past. I propose that we have a higher commitment to ourselves. Stay with me here. I know this sounds selfish, but think about it. This is a completely different culture.
Men used to be men. The man was expected to open doors, make the first move and bring home the bacon. They were intelligent, strong and capable of making the big decisions. If yesterdays man had an affair, was an alcoholic or roughed his family up, no one spared him a second glance as long as he was providing a good life for his family. Times change, some things have gotten better, but on the whole, I feel as though we have emasculated our men. Look at the movies. We have brooding, weak willed, follow us around like glittering little puppies as an example of "what women want". We've got guys telling their friends that if they have a girl that's willing to have no strings sex and the guy wants more then he must be crazy. We expect our men to watch chick flicks, talk about their feelings and go shopping with us like some damn trained dog. Is this really what women want??? We are sending our men mixed messages and then wonder why they aren't able to decode them.
Women used to be women. The woman was graceful, supportive and quietly intelligent. They were expected to be good mothers, wives and managers of their homes. If they bucked the system and worked outside of the home, they could have a very fulfilling career as a secretary. It was absolutely absurd to hear of a woman leaving her husband. How would she survive? Today's woman is a bit different. Let's take a look at mainstream media again. We have women that only want a man that "makes bank". We've got women telling their friends that they should be promiscuous like the guys and not worry about it. Men want a woman that they can take home to momma, but what they find instead are a bunch of loud, obnoxious, uninhibited, disrespectful bimbos.
We need a balance. It may be impossible, but this is what I would like personally. A man that is independent, intelligent, faithful to God and his partner and respects me for being an individual. I want to be a woman that is independent, intelligent, faithful to God and my partner and can respect my man for being his own person. He is capable of making the big decisions, but still discusses them with me because he values my input. Mutual respect. We trust each other because that trust has not been broken. To call him my best friend because we want to share our greatest fears and highest hopes together. Is it wrong for me to expect these simple concepts?
This conversation got me thinking. We talk about this generation not having the commitment levels of generations past. I propose that we have a higher commitment to ourselves. Stay with me here. I know this sounds selfish, but think about it. This is a completely different culture.
Men used to be men. The man was expected to open doors, make the first move and bring home the bacon. They were intelligent, strong and capable of making the big decisions. If yesterdays man had an affair, was an alcoholic or roughed his family up, no one spared him a second glance as long as he was providing a good life for his family. Times change, some things have gotten better, but on the whole, I feel as though we have emasculated our men. Look at the movies. We have brooding, weak willed, follow us around like glittering little puppies as an example of "what women want". We've got guys telling their friends that if they have a girl that's willing to have no strings sex and the guy wants more then he must be crazy. We expect our men to watch chick flicks, talk about their feelings and go shopping with us like some damn trained dog. Is this really what women want??? We are sending our men mixed messages and then wonder why they aren't able to decode them.
Women used to be women. The woman was graceful, supportive and quietly intelligent. They were expected to be good mothers, wives and managers of their homes. If they bucked the system and worked outside of the home, they could have a very fulfilling career as a secretary. It was absolutely absurd to hear of a woman leaving her husband. How would she survive? Today's woman is a bit different. Let's take a look at mainstream media again. We have women that only want a man that "makes bank". We've got women telling their friends that they should be promiscuous like the guys and not worry about it. Men want a woman that they can take home to momma, but what they find instead are a bunch of loud, obnoxious, uninhibited, disrespectful bimbos.
We need a balance. It may be impossible, but this is what I would like personally. A man that is independent, intelligent, faithful to God and his partner and respects me for being an individual. I want to be a woman that is independent, intelligent, faithful to God and my partner and can respect my man for being his own person. He is capable of making the big decisions, but still discusses them with me because he values my input. Mutual respect. We trust each other because that trust has not been broken. To call him my best friend because we want to share our greatest fears and highest hopes together. Is it wrong for me to expect these simple concepts?
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