Hello Again!

It's been a very long time since I posted anything of substance. However, lately, I've been feeling like I should start blogging again. A lot has happened since my last post. So many things that I couldn't begin to catch you up on where I am right now. Suffice to say, that through it all, I've grown personally and professionally.

However, in spite of my growth, I haven't yet mastered either my physical or spiritual life. Thankfully, God isn't finished with me nor has he given up on me. He continues to work with me and through me. This is the reason I feel compelled to begin blogging again. If my experiences can help just one person grow beyond where they are right now, then any time I spend blogging is well worth it. I've ALWAYS told my kids that a wise man learns from his mistakes BUT the wiser man learns from the mistakes of others. What happens to me happens to everyone. We all live life and Life Happens! So, be wise! Learn from my experiences and mistakes rather than making all of your own. I don't have all of the answers but God does.

So, my posts going forward will be more  I hope you enjoy reading my posts as much as I enjoy writing them.

Sincerely,
Joe

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Fellow Veterans,




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Thanks!

What can you do?

Everyday Joe's like me go through a lot during their day. We typically work a 9-5 and want to spend their time off with our family and friends. We don't want to spend our "off time" thinking about work or the worries of life. Why is it then that so many of us do exactly that? It's probably because so many of us are "chained" to our gadgets or tied up watching TV. For IT geeks like myself, we're so connected that surgery is required to remove the laptop from our fingers or the phone from our ear. This connection to the outside world only amplifies those things that we can't control which in turn, amplifies our worries.

With today's technology it seems as if you can't escape. So... what can you do?

Well... last summer, I went on a Philmont trek with my oldest son. 11 days in the New Mexico mountains carrying everything I need on my back was a nice way to break the "technological chains" holding me back. I was able to drop the laptop, cell phone, pager, even snail mail for 11 days. What a way to enjoy life! I'd do it again in a Oklahoma minute!

A Philmont trip though is expensive and requires time off from the 9-5 so it might not be an answer for everyone. Recently, my family and I embarked on a 30 day media fast. During the entire month of January, we watched no TV, no movies, no Internet (other than e-mail out of necessity), no Facebook, no NetFlix, no nothing. While it was difficult for the first week, by the end of the first week I had come to the realization that I didn't NEED those things. It was amazing how much "free" time I had and how much I got accomplished.

I encourage all of you to ask "What can I do?" to break the monotony of the life of the Everyday Joe. Think about how you can break the "technological chains" that hold you back and envision what you can accomplish by doing so.

Until next time.

People

I apologize. It's been a number of months since I've posted. Life just has a way of happening and before you know it, you're 6 months down the road. Unfortunately, time is just not something you can get back. So... in the interest of time, I'll keep this post brief.

People. They're around us everyday whether it's at work, home, school, or the mall. No matter where you go, there THEY are. Why is that we like some people and not others? Why do we enjoy visiting with some and not others? Why is that you just can't stand being around some people? It's because people are PEOPLE.

We all have our own convictions, beliefs, philosophies, education, etc... and we tend to gravitate toward people who are like-minded, similarly educated, and have similar (if not identical) beliefs, convictions, and philosophies.

We all want to think the best of ourselves so we tend to avoid people that make us uncomfortable or make us feel insecure about some aspect of ourselves. We also avoid people that are hateful, spiteful, bitter, angry, vengeful, etc.. Rightfully so! The Bible tells us to do so. This doesn't mean that we don't love them (in Christ) or pray for them. It simply means that we don't let them become part of our lives... particularly our sphere of influence.

Take the time today to evaluate the PEOPLE in your life. Are they worthy of your friendship? Better question... Are you worthy of theirs?

Your friend

Opinions...

It has been far too long...

Opinions. Not onions. Everyone has at least one and most people have many. It's one thing that we can obtain that doesn't cost anything. Or does it? In today's self-centered society, it's also one thing that people are willing to share every time the get an opportunity.

Why are these seemingly insignificant things so important? Why does anyone think that I want to hear their opinion about anything if I didn't ask? Why do I think they want to hear mine? Why does anyone's opinion really matter at all?

Opinions are important parts of our lives. They represent a part of our being. Each time we share our opinion on any given subject, we are sharing a part of who we are with someone. However good or bad that may be, we put ourselves out there in some way that makes us vulnerable. Will they agree? Disagree? Will we still be friends?

I find that I disagree with most people's opinions. Some would call that close minded or unfriendly. Some would even say irrational or combative. Ironically, I would disagree with that too. Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they are right or wrong, they just have a different opinion. Each of us has lived a life and fortunately or unfortunately... depending on your opinion, opinions are formed / shaped by our experiences. They are shaped by something as simple as a word, or as complex as a broken family.

Opinions shouldn't matter... BUT THEY DO! Barring Biblical substance, they simply represent our thoughts about some particular subject. Opinions shape our perception of things around us, our perception shapes or becomes our reality. Our reality is our life. Therefore, our opinions ARE important.

With that said, who cares what someone else thinks! What's God's opinion? What's your opinion of yourself? Do you like what you see? Do you like what you hear? Do you like what you do? Remember that opinions represent a part of who you are. Therefore, make sure you like what you're sharing before you do so. Or it WILL cost you!

God is good and I'm so thankful that he's not finished with me yet! Regardless of what you think!

At the Speed of Life

Wow! How time flies! It's been a while since my last post.

It's amazing how life just happens and the next thing you know, it's tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. We get preoccupied with the tasks of life and life just passes us by. Why do we always seem to put off until tomorrow what should (or could) be done today? Why do we always promise our loved ones that we will spend time with them later? Why do we take for granted that tomorrow will even come?

The most important things in life are not the dirty dishes, the dusting, or our job. The most important things in life are our faith, family, and friends. God loves us unconditionally in spite of our housekeeping, planning, or organizational skills. Family loves us for the same reasons and friends... real friends love us for the same reasons too.

Why then do we let life happen and forget the ones we love? We get busy with meetings, chores, work, or hobbies and the next thing you know, we're old, the kids are grown, and life has passed us by.

Life happens at the speed of life! Don't let it pass you by! Keep up with it and enjoy your life with faith, family, and friends! Love them as much as they love you and LET THEM KNOW IT as often as possible!

Living and Loving!

Comedy of Errors

With life happening @ the speed of light the past couple of weeks, I thought I would post something light for a change. I thought I would share a hunting experience that wasn't funny @ all when it occurred but should make you laugh as I relive it.

Last year, I was hunting in an area that I had never been in before. A friend of mine had been there on a controlled hunt and raved about how many deer there were. Presumably because there was no hunting pressure as only those hunters drawn for controlled hunts were allowed in the area. Fortunately, that wasn't totally true. Turns out that bow hunters were allowed in once rifle season was over.

So... I went bowhunting with my friend at the first possible opportunity. We entered the woods @ the intestine of dawn. For those of you unfamilar with that term it is the time of utter darkness before the crack of dawn. Since I was not familiar with the area, I sat down @ the base of a tree @ the bottom of the hill waiting until there was just enough light to see. While I waited anxiously for the sun to show it's face, I sat my backpack down and pulled the quiver from my bow and sat it down as well. I nocked an arrow and prepared to shoot the first thing that came across my path.

My friend was already seated in his tree stand and was comfortably waiting for a deer to get close enough for him to take the shot. So as light dawned I decided that I would make the trek up the hill to see what I could see. Those of you who hunt will understand stalking but I took it to a whole new level. It literally took me three plus hours to walk roughly 100 yards up the hill. I had just crossed a small open area and entered the next woodline when I heard a noise to my left. I turned slowly only to find four does walking through the woods directly toward me. Excited, I started to turn slowly so I could get off the shot. Something you need to know about deer if you don't already, not only do they have a fantastic sense of smell BUT they can see pretty good too! Two deer ran down the hill away from me and one ran back up and over the hill. However, the fourth ran toward me and stopped BROADSIDE about 10-15 yards away from me.

I started drawing my bow back and for the first time, I had my finger on top of my release instead of behind. I'm sure you can see where this is going... My finger slipped and my arrow went sailing over the deer at half draw. She disappeared up and over the hilltop as fast as she had appeared.

No problem I thought to myself. I'll just nock another arrow and wait for the next deer to show up. So, I reached around for my quiver and well... suffice to say, I had a problem. My quiver was not attached to my bow. It wasn't on the ground nor was it attached to my pack. It was only then that I realized what had happened. I HAD LEFT IT ON THE GROUND AT THE BASE OF THE STUPID TREE!

I covered that 100 yards in about 10 minutes and then spent the next hour searching for the exact tree where I stopped earlier in the morning. Finally finding the tree, I located my quiver and nocked another arrow. Needless to say, I was anxious to get back up the hill before the next deer came along. It only took me about 20 minutes to get back up the hill and when I had reached the same spot (literally within inches of where I had been standing when the first group of deer showed up), I heard more movement in the woods.

I turned and saw two bucks following a doe. I started to turn (much more carefully this time) and face downhill so they would pass right in front of me. As I turned, I saw that the first buck was easily 12-14 points and quite a good size. The second buck was smaller... probably an 8 pointer or so. The doe proceeded to walk right past me about 10-15 yards away. The larger buck stopped BROADSIDE right in front of me about 10-15 yards away. By this time, I was at full draw and had him dead in my sights. All I could think of was the trophy that was going to grace my wall @ home. I let the arrow fly and it was dead on. UNTIL... until it was about 2-3 yards away from him and I saw it go straight up in the air. I couldn't believe it! I stared in disbelief as he and the doe sped off down the hill and I was left alone in the woods except for.... Except for the second buck!

He stopped in the exact same spot as the big buck and set himself up on a silver platter. Ripe for the killing! However, I had no arrow nocked. I slowly reached around to grab another arrow and made to much noise as I clanged the shaft against the bow. Needless to say, he sped off down the hill following the other two.

I had seen 7 deer in a matter of an hour and a half and had two kill opportunities! However, I was down two arrows and was still empty handed. At this point, being down to a single arrow, I decided to cut bait and run. I left the deer woods that day empty handed and downtrodden. That's why they call it "hunting"! Otherwise, it would be called "killing".

Today I can laugh about it and am much the wiser for it. Wisdom comes in many shapes and many forms. Learning from our mistakes makes us wise. Learning from the mistakes of others makes us wiser still.

Hope you enjoyed the story. Never stop learning! Live life wisely and have fun!