Friendships - Relationships - Community

I've recently reconnected with some old friends over the past few months with a bit more regular communication as of late. I've come to realize that distance in life should never come between friendships. There shouldn't be a need to 'reconnect' with people just because they move far away. Friendships take a little bit of effort but the effort is worth the relationships that you can build over time. Sometimes conversations are reduced to the hi, how are you and what's new. Other times, the conversations start right from the beginning...'Hi Austin...what's the meaning of life?' There are those people in your lives that bring meaning and purpose to life to promote healthy and meaning communication and relationship in one's life. Those relationships reconnect you with community and allow you to expand your network in various forms. Community can bring people together from all walks of life with similarities or differences. Individuals can thrive in community, grow individually and grow together.

Thank you to those in my life that I've 'reconnected' with.

All You Gotta Do Is Ask

So much of life is all about what we want and what we 'think' we need. While at the same, so often we come up with excuses or obstacles that come between us and what we desire. Many people associate this with materialistic things but this it's not limited to that.

The same goes for relationships, especially your personal relationship with God. When we pray, we may not always know what to say or how to 'speak'. The key is to make it conversational and less structured. God knows your heart, regardless of what you are saying. Also, if you want something, you gotta ask for it. God may or may not give it to you and it may not always come in the form you expect. Remember, God ultimately has a plan but if you don't ask, you won't receive.

Do not ever underestimate the power or prayer.

A Troubled Heart

Troubled hearts come and go but there is one thing that will last forever. The Love of God. One must consistently Trust in God and rely upon Him for all things. God works in mysterious ways. Pray for patience and God will not give you clear direction until the time is right (teaching you to be patient and wait on His timing).

John 14:1 - Do not let your heart's be troubled. Trust in God.

Three simple words: Hope, Love, Faith

The weekend message at my church focused on three simple words: Hope, Love, Faith. It's amazing how simple the words are but how extensive the impact can have on ones life.

Hope is given by God. We 'hope' for something in our lives; similar to wishes. God provides Hope to anyone seeking it. Without hope, comes despair.

Love: without it, you are empty and struggle to have relationship and connect with others. However, Love is the source of love, hope and faith. 'And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.' 1 Cor. 13:3 Without love, we are selfish.

Faith is active where 'belief' is passive. The act of faith allows us to understand what God says in His word and responding positively to it. Without faith, we have fear.

Over the past few weeks, I've been challenged to 'live by faith and not by sight'. 2 Cor. 5:7. It's a lot easier said then done but I am learning patience and slowly giving up control of my life and what I want and letting God lead and guide me.

Music brings peace and calm to life

I decided to spend some time this evening at home, without the TV on and just listen to some music while cleaning up. Considering I have quite a vast library of music, I landed on James Taylor. There is something about calming sounds of the acoustic guitar and the voice that brought me back to a better frame of mind.

It's amazing how something as simple as music can have such an influence on someone. I will admit that music can play a big part in my mood and emotions in life. There are times where I will just hear a song and it just hits you....whether in a joyful and relaxing way or sometimes just makes you want to cry.

Music can bring peace and calm to life....make your music choices for the mood and season for its impact can be great.

Stepping up the social activity calendar

I've officially completed 15 of the 16 classes required for my Masters program and am currently on a 2-month break. Oh the relief and lack of stress. It's been a true blessing so far. Surprisingly though, I find myself bored and lacking that drive keeping me going every day.

I've decided to 'step up the social activity calendar' and starting getting out a bit more. Now granted, I practically live a my second home (a.k.a. Caribou Coffee) but I am usually doing homework and focused. I've now been out a few times with no real agenda except to just be 'out'.

This increase in social activity is new to me and I'm attempting to make some adjustments but I am hoping that the social side of me begins to shine through.

Does anyone have any tips on establishing more social awareness in a non-technology focused way? (i.e. in person vs. behind a computer screen)

Inspiration: Blank

I feel inspired to write tonight but yet at the same time have no inspiration in my writing. Could this be called Inspiration by the lack thereof? Does that make sense. I'm in a funk...gotta get out...gotta get through this. Wishing I had all the answers yet knowing all the answers won't change this place where I am. But where am I? Am I where there is the lack thereof? I feel lost in a world...like a grain of sand in a desert. I seek direction but am adverse to guidance. Why is that? I know the path that must be taken but am yet skeptical of the destination. In a land of unknown, I want to know but don't want to know what I don't know. How's that for confusing?

Things I'm Pondering...
.... something and nothing but only that in between....