Love Is Not, Love Is

Love is not for mama’s cinnamon rolls or homemade bread;
Love is more than some sweet word, so impulsively said.

Love is not smooth accolades for a favorite sports team;
Love is more than what a compliment may say or seem.

Why I Want to Live

        A surge of pride is pointing people to suicide. “I can do what I want, when I want. No one is going to tell me what to do.” This terrible solution to life’s problems bypasses the stigma of depression.  To justify such a drastic action some are telling themselves, “Assert yourself. Take charge.” 

        Here’s a thoughtful piece written by Peter Hardt. Maybe you know someone who needs to read this:

        In conversations with a few members of the younger “I-want-it-all-now!” generation, it’s been suggested to me that I don’t actually have to plan and prepare for the crisis just ahead. They think I should go on with my life – business as usual – and just commit suicide when things become unbearable. An “Eat! Drink! For tomorrow we die!” philosophy...
        I strongly disagree. This is why I want to live:

That Chocolate Chip Cookie, aka: Finding God

         The man had a very scientific mind, cautious yet studious, sincere about his preconceptions, yet stringently forthright. “Today I must find out about God. I must see Him and know the truth.”      
         He set off for an expedition thoroughly prepared, the best microscope, the strongest telescope, compass, a laptop computer to chart his journey and take notes. Heading in a straight line, he went towards the east, the rising sun. He ran across the land, jumped into the ocean and swam for all his might. He came up on land, ran across it to the next ocean. All along, he made careful observations.
        One day the man arrived back at his starting point, stronger for all that physical exertion, more knowledgeable for all that mental effort. He termed his search for God as a waste of time, for alas, he did not see God anywhere below, beyond or above.
        As he recuperated in his easy chair in his cozy house he pondered his pursuit. “God, I really wanted to find out if You are real.”

The Gift I Give Myself

         In a quiet moment of personal honesty you can identify for yourself the one gift you’d like to have, the one gift you’d give yourself. It is something of great benefit, and it’s something that would be a great blessing. What is it?
        Without a lot of explaining or a lot of self-imposed restrictions simply own up to what this gift would be. Then write it down on a slip of paper and put it in a safe place.
        Good for you! Identifying what this gift would be is a great beginning.
        What do you have so far? An idea of a great benefit, a great blessing, a great beginning.