Do Not Fear

Today I took some patients at work to court. It is always interesting to interact with and observe people with challenges and different backgrounds. Relationships of trust are built from the smallest of seeds, odd at times. I saw a man there who I have known for some time. He was enveloped in his own thoughts until he saw me and a large grin wiped across his face, childlike almost. Familiarity seems to be one of the basic foundations of trust. Although we may have little experience with an individual their memorable features, curvature of the face, slant and color of the eyes, all very unique from one person to the next, open up the floodgates of relief and friendship in our mind. Very human.

I am a subscriber to the motto and belief that the one thing that a man can never have is too many friends. The richest man is one who has the most friends, and yet look around us. How often do people look down when they walk, avoid eye contact with even aquantainces, silence the buzzing of their cell phones when they just don't feel like talking, or look at the one person who does say "Hello!" like they must be from that mental hospital down the road. I am guilty of these at times myself. Is it most like mankind to unwittingly manipulate himself into isolation?

Fear is the most common reason for this reclusive behavior normal in today's world. It is unfortunate for fear is not a godly attribute. Yet we allow it to rage unchecked through our subconcious (and sometimes concious) persona, governing our thoghts, decisions and even motives. I feel myself wanting to shout to everyone, and myself, stand up! Do not droop in fear, instead lift up your heart and rejoice for the day is yet. Live in faith. Live life for the moment, do not fear for all will be all right in the end. I like a quote I saw that reflects this ideology: 'All will turn out right in the end, if things aren't all right now don't worry, it's not the end"

Purpose

I have been working a lot the last two days. Two 12 hour graveyard shifts...don't leave a ton of time for other things. Additinally it seems like you are perpetually tired when you wake up. Not that this is any new thing for me. All through the last three years of college I worked at least 24 hours a week in addition to heavy school schedule, hours of cancer research and a part time job in running. Let not even mention church callings. It's a wonderful life.
As I was working yesterday I saw more fully how there is a plan for each of us. Not everything has gone perfectly, I haven't gotten into medical school quickly, grades never accurately depict capability, and I have not always made the best choices. However I find that there is a feeling I can't deny that there is someone who knows all this and has prepared for it. Someone who knows the mistakes and fallies I may make, and has a way to make them all work for my good.
I truly believe that everything has a reason. Perhaps I will see the purpose for this extra year later. I would like to think it would be for a girl but who knows now. Martin Harris lost the pages from the first bit of the translation. It was a catastrophy, devastating. That great work was lost forever. Yet there was prepared a way for the same instruction to be given, later in the book. The Lord knew that human weakness would provide for the loss and he made the difference.
If we can look at our own life with that same faith and perspective we will better understand our direction. Happiness after all comes from being at peace with your purpose and direction. Once we see how our direction is bringing us to our purpose, peace comes. It is not through tv or music or money but through understanding this and seeing His hand in our life that we can gain this perspective. I can see mine when I stop to truly reflect, can you?

Welcome

I have finally done what many have and others yet undoubtedly will. I am pleased with my vision for sharing thoughts about life and how it has and will yet shape my perspectives, attitudes and feelings. I do not claim to be victim to circumstance or even to influence but an educated mind is compelled to relinquish that we are all touched by experience and moved by interactions. I will share things through this blog which will at times be deep and personal and at others undoubtedly, although unfortunately, more common, the shallow and less formal. I hope you will read this with an open mind and willingness to understand how powerfully I feel about those things most precious to my heart. I also invite you to a discussion about the more academic subjects I may speak on. I promise they will be thought provoking and at the very least, interesting.
In this age of rapid technological advance I am often caught up into the fascination with electronics and digital multimedia, which captivates us into a sometimes less-than-real view of life. From ‘Rock of Love’ to text messaging I feel myself being a victim of the electronic gods, the pull is strong and incessant as these useful tools provide convenient distractions from the more human things in life. Pain… sorrow… spirituality and love are things which are easier to be overlooked in the glittering world of the modern age. Perhaps they are better left in the past so we can more fully accept the future. Yet as I see the incidence of mental illness, depression, and familial failure increase I am led to wonder of the values and simplicity of a ‘Little House’ type of life are, after all, the most needed.
I hope you will visit often as I post updates (now daily), and involve yourself in my discussions. I welcome responses and hope they will encourage more contemplation. Again, welcome. DBM