Blessed

There's a preacher out there that incessantly talks about what to do and how to behave in order to get God's blessings. He talks about blessings as though they were a unit of currency. It's amazing that somebody buys this hype. He's done very well, but he's just another silver-tongued devil. But I digress again.

Blessings are not complicated things.

I believe in happiness through kindness, service and sacrifice. And I believe in karma. Thus I believe that blessings come. And they come every which way.

I was climbing a steep and tall mountain a few weeks ago. I should have been up and back down by noon due to the possibility of lightning. I embraced the burn but was nevertheless climbing rather slowly. I started at sunup but there was just no way to meet the timetable. I saw the storms coming right at me and should have aborted but decided instead to continue. The storms went around the mountain and sleeted heavy below. I only got wet in the last ten minutes of my ten-hour hike.

Am I blessed?

I'm very good at science, math... and statistics. When a statistical improbability rears up, I take notice. And there's been quite a few of these. Not 100-year floods every year but 100-year blessings many times a year.

I believe, but not in TV preachers.


-copyright 2014 by Willy.

P.S., lightning kills many hikers above treeline.

Working Vacation

I am helping my daughter with her two-month-old son this week, as she starts work. I was supposed to be the third-shift bottle feeder so that she can sleep, but grandson slept through the entire night last night... for the first time. So, this is going to be easy.

I fixed, cleaned and installed (I don't idle well) and went bicycling. Since I about ran out of things to do already, I realize that I am going to have a relaxing vacation.

I did not rent a car this time. During the day, besides resting, I am either out on her bike (sometimes running errands) or walking the neighborhood... having fun.

This is a really good and relaxing vacation.

- copyright 2012 by Willy

Appreciation

I like it here. I came from a third-world country, and appreciate what we have here. I've been around and this country is the best there is.

Like me, there are many Americans that reflect an uplifting version of democracy. Of hope and trust in our system... that is not shared by others.

Most of us believe in our careers and our work because the job fulfills us and gives us a reason to live. We believe we may actually do some good, whereas others can't wait for early retirement.

Most of us stand tall in front of flag for the singing of The Star Spangled Banner at game or graduation. Others walk around during the moment.

Others don't seem to like their life and disrespect their country, which is their loss. There is always going to be some discontent, and most of us accept that. God help us all.


- text © 2012 by Willy

P.S., A good attitude is healthy.

Above The Canopy

After reflecting for weeks on my hiking trip with Jennifer this year, I've realized that impossible things happen by the grace of God.

I got a grandstand seat to see the splendor of His majesty from a bald ridge six thousand feet high, but to do so spent my physical body beyond the possible, with no injuries nor trauma. There must have been angels there carrying me.




I took me a couple of weeks to get my strength back. I'm not attempting something like that again, but I had a great time... after the fact.

- © 2009 by Willy

Faith

I have lived a long and good life and my experiences have made a cynic and skeptic out of me. Like Saint Thomas feeling Jesus' nailholes, I believe only what I can see and touch.


Case One:

Although I've been blessed to have been surrounded mostly by good people, I can't help but notice the huge variability. Just like there have been horrible people, there are some at the other end of the distribution too... I've seen and touched people who are sweet, sensitive, tender, empathetic, caregiving, loving and have a positive attitude. They exist. I'm deeply impressed by them, and thankful... I feel blessed to have the gift of these friendships. There is good in this world, just like there is evil too.

I believe in angels.


Case Two:

When my young son took up skateboarding many years ago, he hurt himself many a time skating down the steep driveway. That didn't mean that I was a bad father for allowing it to happen. It was his decision. In every case, I picked him up, and took him to the emergency room. The same is true for me and my Father... when bad things happen, in every case, He is right there to pick me up. He's touched me.

I believe in God.


- © 2009 by Willy

Amazing

There's this rotten tree on my favorite hiking trail. It's about 18 inches in diameter at eye level and about twenty feet tall, so it must weight a ton or two. For years it's been dead and completely rotten, but still there, at the side of a mountain road. It delights me to see my old friend still standing. I can't see what's holding it up other than a wish and a prayer. Probably the same wish and prayer that holds me up too.

Thanks, whoever you are, that's doing the wishing and prayering. And a wink and a nod.

- © 2009 by Willy

Kind-Hearted

Just when I get sick of people I remember to have lunch with the right kind-hearted person.

I am not a people person, but a machine guy... after all, I'm an engineer. However, at the current spot in my career, I have to deal with people, in all their splendor. At work, I call myself the Roto Rooter Man because my job is to keep the shit flowing... money coming in, work getting done, and reports delivered. Some of these people I deal with are very difficult individuals, but some others help me do my job in spite of the difficult ones, which keeps me from going crazy.

Then there are the kind-hearted angels that give me such joy that they enable me to enjoy life. When we meet, we exchange complements, voice our concerns in a positive way, and resolve that life is good, after all. They are the wind at my back that keeps me going. I am blessed and grateful to have them.

So, here's to the kind-hearted angels in my life, and yours. May they understand their value.

- © 2009 by Willy

P.S., and may your tears be that of joy.

Shelter

Thankfully, I now live in a nice, comfortable house with plenty of space in and out. Not the Windsor Castle, mind you, but a darned good place for an engineer, brought on as an evolution to a long developing career. It keeps the rain out and gives me a place to sleep.

I was watching the back yard this morning and noticed a wren building a nest in one of the birdhouses. The wrens' loud song wakes me early on weekends, so I knew that they were around. The male wren is a hard worker, developing many nests.

I used to wonder how birds survive storms, but my observation is that they don't. Last spring, after a nasty storm, my bird feeders went weeks without needing refill. And this happens repeatedly.

If their instinct lets them, a birdhouse is the Windsor Castle to a bird. I have several birdhouses, but not all birds use them, and many die in storms.

I remember several times in my life when I had no home. Times were when I made like the wren and built my nest from scratch. They were bad times, long gone. Life is sooo good now!

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- © 2008 by Willy

Gratitude List

Making a new Gratitude List every time depression or anxiety present itself is a terrific coping strategy that forces a positive outlook and a positive attitude. Also, there's something said about this rewiring your brain. Key is to keep the gratitudes positive and always tell myself the truth. Here goes today's...

I'm grateful because I'm in control of my own life and have nobody to tell me what to do. Although I do have responsibilities and obligations to meet, there is no nagging or bitching at home or work.

I'm grateful for my programming by The Creator since birth for thirst for knowledge and self-reliance... I do stuff rather than depend on others. I'm grateful because I do not have to bother my friends.

I'm grateful because I have faith and do believe in God and His miracles.

I'm grateful that what I do, I do well... and that I love what I do. And I'm grateful to be very well respected in my technical field.

Managerially I'm trusted with significant power over people's careers. I'm grateful for this trust I've earned from my peers and management, and for the grace to keep my composure.

I'm grateful to be able to do the right thing, no matter what (I'm not politically correct).

I'm grateful for my blessings... the many mentors and angels I've had, that I'm a part of. Without them, I wouldn't be me. And for my helpers who I myself mentor, and who will inherit my work; thus for all the students and teachers I've had, formally or informally and for all my coworkers, friends and acquaintances; for all my dependents and failed relationships, and for my enemies too, because they also shaped my life.

Thus, I'm even grateful to have fallen in love, although I'm not doing it again because it about killed me.

I'm grateful because I do love good, kind people, although I suffer no fools. That I can be kind and generous with time and money, and that I can sympathize and empathize with friends and family and help when needed.

I'm grateful that my two kids are gone, learning self-reliance by separating from their mamma-daddy (me!). That I was able to influence them in a positive way, and that they have grown up nicely.

I'm grateful because I've been able to remain physically active and healthy. I weightlift, yet am limber and flexible, and yet still, my cardio doesn't suffer. I'm able with 100-pound dumbbells as well as 100-mile rides. I'm grateful because I've been able to deal with accidents, injuries and deterioration... and continue.

I'm grateful that I am at peace with myself and thus can get a good night's sleep.

I'm grateful because I make a decent income, have a plan for retirement, live in a nice, comfy house with a terrific view of the city, close to work, in a small town with plenty of outdoors opportunities close by, and do take a lot of adventuresome vacations.

I'm grateful to have contributed to life.

I'm grateful for my massage therapist, my dry cleaner and my maid... all long-term regular gifts to myself.

I'm grateful because I have common sense, which I have found uncommon in the populace.

I'm grateful that I'm not crazy. And I'm extremely grateful for having a good sense of humor, which has kept my life interesting and me sane under tough circumstances [wink!].

- © 2008 by Willy
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