Learning how to fly

Action-what does it mean to you? Is it the word you think of when you want to describe a thrilling movie? Is it the word you use to describe the events in a busy area? For me, today especially, action has one pivotal meaning

Sometimes, life is frustrating. It seems as if we are travelling down a tunnel with no light at the end or climbing a mountain that never seems to stop ascending. The work is piling up, the bills are piling up, the strained relationships are becoming more strained, and we're just looking for a break. Well, the truth of the matter is, we probably don't need a break. In fact, we're probably in this situation for a learning experience. You may think I'm crazy. You may think I'm a nut. I probably am a little of both, but I'm convinced that sometimes we are placed in these mountain climbing situations for a reason. Consider the lyrics to Lonestar's  Mountains:

Lucinda Jones, working at IHOP
Ten years worth of bacon, eggs and tears
She's waited on every creed and color
While waiting on this day to get here
Graveyard shifts, two bit tips
Making every quarter count
Was worth it all to see her son
In that cap and gown

There are times in life when you gotta crawl
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no-one else
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walking's easy when the road is flat
Them danged ole hiils'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains
So we could learn how to climb

Bobby, Bobby Dunn came back from the war
Lost his leg but they couldn't take his will
Hell bent to run in that local marathon
He trained through the endless pain and pills
It hurt so bad that sometimes he just had to cry
He didn't stop until he crossed that finish line

There are times in life when you gotta crawl
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no-one else
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walking's easy when the road is flat
Them danged ole hiils'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains
So we could learn how to climb

This world ain't fair
It can knock you on your butt
You can just lie there
Or you can get back up
You gotta get back up

There are times in life when you gotta crawl
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no-one else
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walking's easy when the road is flat
Them danged ol' hiils'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains
(The good Lord gave us mountains)
So we could learn how to climb
Yeah, oh

You see, life for Lucinda Jones and Bobby Dunn didn't have an easy road. In fact they had quite the mountains to climb, but they made the climb! So, how did they do it? Well, there's several key things to notice.

First, they had a goal in mind. So many times in life, people wander aimlessly with no set goals, nothing to strive for. In my opinion that makes for an empty life with no sense of accomplishment or pride. Furthermore, having no goals, leads to a sedentary lifestyle in which you never desire to keep improving. Improvement, in my humble opinion, should be a part of everyone's life. None of us were born perfect, but we can work towards a better self- a self that has more confidence, more will-power, more direction, and more peace.

Secondly, the Lucinda Joneses and the Bobby Dunns of this world were successful in their climb because they never gave up-even when times got tough. Have you ever heard the saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"? Well, I'd say that statement couldn't be more accurate. I started this blog off by talking about action. Here's where action ties into the equation. When we're faced with the mountains that arise in our life, we can do two things. We can look at it and decide not to make the climb or we can look at it and gear up for the ascent. Either way, we have taken action. What action will you take when faced with the mountains of life?

So, I do agree, the Good Lord did give us mountains so we could learn how to fly. Let me tell you, God is a great flight instructor if I do say so myself. At times, the task may seem impossible. At times we will just want to slide back down to the foot of the mountain and give up the climb. BUT, how will we ever learn to fly if we give up on the climb? I want to fly! Do you?

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to face the mountains of life and learn to fly. Sure, it might not be easy. Sure, those hills will get us down. However, learning to fly, learning to take action and face life will make us better off in the end. Like Lucinda Jones, we might see our son in that cap and gown or like Bobby Dunn we may run that marathon. So, the choice is ours. I'm choosing to take action and learn to fly!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man! 

Somebody's gonna drop everything

Somebody out there will drop everything. Somebody will hit the gas and get there fast and never stop to think what's in it for them or even consider that it's way too far. If you're a country music fan, then you probably know where these words came from. However, before I reveal where they came from, let's examine a fact of life.

It's a fact of life that life itself is not always easy. Sometimes, we find ourselves overwhelmed by work, school or just life in general. Sometimes, we find ourselves confused. Sometimes, we find ourselves anxious about something. Sometimes, we find that we just need a friend.

Tonight, I'm going to blog about friendship. Friendship comes in many forms. For example, a dog, man's best friend, is often one of the most loyal, reliable partners in a friendship. Other times, a friend can be found in co-worker's at work. Yet other times, friends can be found in the servers at a coffee shop or the old man who sits on his porch everyday and waves at the traffic that goes by. You, see friends come from all kinds of places and include all kinds of faces. Anyone can be a friend to someone.

Yet, there's a special type of friend that all of us have. What I'm talking about is a friend like the one described in the lyrics of the following song:

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind, 
Lose the shirt off your back,
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare...

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 
"What's in it for me?" 
Or "It's way too far" 
They just show on up
With their big ol' heart
You find out who your friends are...

Everybody wants to slap your back
Wants to shake your hand 
When you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way
Then you slide back down
Look up and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off.

You find out who your friends are

Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think
"What's in it for me?"
Or "It's way too far" 
They just show on up
With their big ol' heart
You find out who your friends are...

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think
"What's in it for me?"
Or "It's way too far" 
They just show on up
With their big ol' heart
You find out who your friends are...

You find out who your friends are...

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Man I been there
Or get yourself in a bind
Lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare...
Man I been there
Man I been there...

We've all been in a bind in our life. At some point or another, we've all needed a friend to get that "car" off the side of the road. It's during those times, that we find out who our true friends are. I'm happy to say that I have a couple.

It's easy to be someone's friend when everything is a bed of roses. However, we've got to learn that even rose beds have thorns. I think it's our duty to look at our own life and ask ourselves about all the times we had a friend who helped us out of a bind. Chances are, we were very grateful for their help. Therefore, why shouldn't we do the same for our friends when they are faced with the same or a similar situation?

Life, in my opinion, is full of opportunities for us to help our fellow man. Being a true friend is just one of them. A true friend never considers what he or she will gain from helping someone. No, they help because they can and because they have a desire too.

I've always said that a lot in life is about humility and concern for the other guy. Friendship is a perfect example of that. A true friend is a selfless servant who is always ready to lend a helpful hand, a listening ear, or a caring heart to their fellow friend. I try my best to do that because I am eternally grateful for those who have done the same for me.

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to be a true friend, not a fair weather friend or a friend that abandons you when you fall from the top of the mountain. Let's all strive to be a true friend! In doing so, we, ourselves will "find out who our friends are."

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from this small town southern man!

Look around...into a heart

"If we could look into each others hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care."-Marvin J. Ashton

Looking into someone's heart is often one of the hardest and easiest things to do. Hardest and easiest? That's right hardest and easiest. Sometimes looking into a person's heart is hard because they don't allow you to. They think that allowing you to see their heart will cause you to possibly break it or take advantage of it. Although those two scenarios are probably true, we must learn to show our heart to people, because it is the only true way that you can find someone else who will do exactly the same.

On the contrary, sometimes it's easy to look into someone's heart. Those people in our lives who have allowed us to look at their hearts and see them for who they are, are few and far between it seems. However, I'm thankful for those in my life who have allowed me to see their heart and, in turn, share mine with them.

As the quote says, things really would be different if we could just look into each others hearts. We truly would be more gentle, for we would know the situations other face. We truly would love each other more, for we would realize how crucial love is to making a life feel complete. We would be more patient, for we would know that good things come to those who wait. Finally we would care more because we would be cared for. Caring is more than just saying "I love you." Caring is letting your actions show your love for each other. I am thankful that I have that care for someone and that we have that care for one another- a care that treats each other gently, with more love, more patience and more tolerance.

The measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to look into someone else's heart.

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from this small town southern man!

Worth the wait

Patience has never been something I've really had a lot of. For those that know me well, that probably comes at no surprise. However, over the past year or so, I believe God has been giving me a lesson in patience. Sometimes there's things you want in life and you want them now. However, perhaps your "now" is not the best time. Have you ever heard the saying, "Good things come to those who wait."? I guarantee you that it is often very true. We wait on many things in life. We wait on our food at restaurants. We wait in the line at the grocery store. We wait in the doctor's office. Still further, we wait for the right job or just any job. We wait for money to roll in. We wait for someone who will one day complete our life and be our one and only.

Sometimes though, we get impatient. Have you ever been impatient. I've never been impatient...NOT!!! I can be very impatient at times. However, I'm working on building and developing more patience. This week has been a true testament to me of what can happen when you have patience. Opportunities will be placed in your life when you have patience. People will be placed in your life when you have patience. Both have been placed in my life recently. There's a song by Joe Nichols called "I'll Wait for You" Although the song is more about waiting on a person. However, the song also reveals how waiting for something you desire so much will pay off in the long run.

"I'll Wait For You"

The snow in Montana was three feet high
Lady at the counter said,
"There ain't no flights"
So he called her on the telephone,
He said I'll rent a car
And I'll drive home.

She said,
I'll wait for you like I did last year
At Christmas time with you family here,
And your truck broke down
Out in San Antone
And the gifts stayed wrapped
Till you got home,
Oh this ain't nothing new,
Sweetheart I'll wait for you.

Now he's on his cell phone
In a Coupe deVille
Talking to the one he loves and always will
His heart is breaking
Cause she's there alone
Her heart is aching
Cause she wants him home

She says i'll wait for you
Like in '68 when our child was due
I said It will have to wait
Until his dad gets here,
And stands by my side,
Remember dear our son's first cry.
Soh this ain't nothing new,
Sweetheart I'll wait for you.

He didn't stop all day
To eat a bite,
And he finally got there around midnight
The doctor said she's in a better place
She said to give you this note,
Just in case.

And it said I'll wait for you
At heaven's gate,
Oh I don't care how long it takes
And I'll tell St. Pete I can't come in
Without my love and my best friend,
Oh this ain't nothing new,
Sweetheart I'll wait for you.

P.S. I love you too
Sweatheart I'll wait for you...

Sometimes there's "snow" in our "Montanas." Sometimes there's obstacles in our lives that prevent us from seeing someone or doing something that we desire to do. Yet, we have to do our part to practice patience and do our best to make the best of the situation. We have to rent those cars and keep those gifts wrapped. We'll have to make our way to someone's side and share together happy moments together. And, sometimes, we have to wait a long, long time to see someone who may not be with us anymore. I know many people who are doing just that. For me though, my waiting time is growing smaller and I really hope she's been waiting on me as much as I've been waiting on her. Some people and some opportunities are just worth waiting for. It might take a little patience, but there's nothing like hearing the words, "Sweetheart I'll wait for you!" Wait on the people who mean the most. They are worth your wait...no matter how long! 

Tonight, I just want to say, the wait is nearly over and I couldn't be more happier for the patience it took to discover that the waiting is worth it!

That, my friends is just a few PERSONAL thoughts from this small town southern man!

Hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

Tonight, my post is simple. Since it's Thankful Thursday, I am simply thankful for the tough times. What?!?! The tough times?!?! Yes, the tough times! Let me explain.

You see, sometimes we let the bad times drag us down. Sometimes we allow ourselves to get overwhelmed. I'm as guilty of this as anyone. But as it says in Darryl Worley's "Sounds Like Life to Me," we've got to "suck it up." We can't let life drag us down. We have to keep pushing. Tough times make us stronger. I honestly believe that God gives lets us go through tough times for several reasons. Number one, he wants us to realize that we need to put our trust in him for help during tough times. Number two, each trial we go through in life, can only make us stronger when we don't allow it to get us down, when we push through.

Here's Darryl Worley's song:

"Sounds Like Life To Me"

Got a call last night from an old friend’s wife
Said I hate to bother you
Johnny Ray fell off the wagon
He’s been gone all afternoon
I know my buddy so I drove to Skully’s
And found him at the bar
I say hey man, what’s going on
He said I don’t know where to start 

Sarah’s old car’s about to fall apart
And the washer quit last week
We had to put momma in the nursing home
And the baby’s cutting teeth
I didn’t get much work this week
And I got bills to pay
I said I know this ain’t what you wanna hear
But it’s what I’m gonna say 

[Chorus]
Sounds like life to me it ain’t no fantasy
It’s just a common case of everyday reality
Man I know it’s tough but you gotta suck it up
To hear you talk you’re caught up in some tragedy
It sounds like life to me 

Well his face turned red and he shook his head
He said you don’t understand
Three kids and a wife depend on me
And I’m just one man
To top it off I just found out
That Sarah’s 2 months late
I said hey bartender set us up a round
We need to celebrate 

[Chorus]
Sounds like life to me plain old destiny
Yeah the only thing for certain is uncertainty
You gotta hold on tight just enjoy the ride
Get used to all this unpredictability
Sounds like life 

Man I know its tough but you gotta suck it up
To hear you talk you’re caught up in some tragedy
Sounds like life to me
Sounds like life

Sometimes we think that every thing is about to "fall apart." We think, "What could happen next?" That is the problem. We're thinking about things all wrong. Perhaps we need to learn to be thankful for the tough times. Look back on the tough times in your life. I can guarantee you that you learned a lesson from each one of them and more often than not, you might have even have something good come out of a bad time in your life. Tough times-they just "sound like life to me." We're not really caught up in a tragedy most of the time. Usually, it's just something we have to work a little harder to get through. Have you ever heard the saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."? Well, we need to get going. We need to realize that we can't let life drag us down. It's really just a "common case of everyday reality." So, just "hold on tight and enjoy the ride." Who knows how you will benefit from the lessons you learn in the tough times.

Tonight, the measure of a man can be found in his ability to handle the tough times and be thankful for them.

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man! 

Never compromise what's right

I'll be the first to admit that more than once, perhaps more than a hundred times, my mouth has gotten me in trouble. As I grow older, it's still a problem for me sometimes. Everyone who knows me well, knows that I'm as opinionated as a person can come. However, I hope everyone realizes how passionate I am about things too. Passion drives me in many ways. We all have things we're passionate about in life. For me, I'm passionate about finding creative ways to reach out to others, using my talents to speak and write, participating in volunteer work, and doing my best to reach out to the elderly. Those are just a few things I'm passionate about and a few things I'm willing to fight for. Yet, my passion is really simple. I've always been taught to stand up for what I believe in. Aaron Tippin's song "You've Got to Stand for Something" really summarizes a lot about how I feel about fighting for the things I believe in. Here it is:

You've Got to Stand for Something

"Now daddy didn't like trouble, but if it came along
Everyone that knew him knew which side that he'd be on
He never was a hero, or this county's shinin' light
But you could always find him standin' up for what he thought was right

He'd say you've got to stand for somethin' or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house
If daddy had done more givin' in or a little more backin' down
But we always had plenty just living his advice
Whatever you do today, you'll have to sleep with tonight

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for somethin' or you'll fall for anything

I know that things are different than they were in daddy's days
But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything"

You don't have to be a "hero" to stand up for what's right. In fact, I think it's better to stand up for what's right in a spirit of humility and just doing things for the sake of upholding values. So many times, people seem to be standing up for what's right but aren't genuine about what they're doing.They're doing for praise not principle.

On the other side of the coin, many times we let others control our thoughts and actions when we know the things we are allowing ourselves to do just are not right. Like the song states, we're just a "puppet on a string" bending and bowing to the movements of a puppeteer that we know is guiding us towards what isn't right.

Still yet, we may choose to do the right thing but not gain from it. Doing the right thing is hard and may not work in our favor as far as worldly advancements go. However, some of the people I respect most in this life are those who have sacrificed fame, fortune and praise to stand up for the right thing, even when it wasn't popular. Besides, like the song says, you'll "always have plenty" and you can sleep well knowing you did what was right.

Finally, what makes a man "really hasn't changed." For tonight, I have discovered that the measure of a man can be found in his effort to stand up for something instead of falling for anything! Never compromise what's right folks! Uphold your family name! Stand for something or you just might fall for anything!

That, my friends is just a few thoughts from this small town southern man!

Guiding with a light of love

"To teach us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with the light of  love." Those are a few of the words from the group Alabama's song "Angels Among Us."

"Angels Among Us"

I was walking home from school, on a cold winter day
Took a shortcut through the woods, and I lost my way
It was getting late, and I was scared and alone
But then a kind old man, took my hand, and led me home
Mama couldn't see him, oh but he was standing there
And I knew in my heart, he was the answer to my prayers

Oh I believe there are, angels among us
Sent down to us, from somewhere up above
They come to you and me, in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone, to come along, and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend, just to say, I understand
But ain't it kind of funny, at the dark end of the road
That someone lights the way, with just a single ray of hope

Oh I believe there are, angels among us
Sent down to us, from somewhere up above
They come to you and me, in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places
To grace us with their mercy, in our time of need

Oh I believe there are, angels among us
Sent down to us, from somewhere up above
They come to you and me, in our darkest hours
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give
To guide us with the light of love
To guide us with a light of love

You know, I've never fully understood angels. However, in the context of this song, "angels" seem simple. They're simply the people in our lives who have chosen to make a difference in our lives. As the song says, they often come to us in our "darkest hours." They come to us when we need them the most. The ways in which they make difference can be, as the song so accurately states, a kind word, a helping hand, or a phone call to say you understand. Most importantly though, sometimes these "angels" offer what we need most- a ray of hope.

Millions of people in this world are down on their knees-some not by choice, others by foolish actions of their own. Regardless of circumstance, everyone is deserving of someone who can "show them how to live, teach them how to give, and guide them with the light of love." So, I'm imploring you to be someone's "angel." It's not hard. Look around you. There's someone in need-someone in need of mercy, someone in need of love. In fact that light of love you give to a person may be that ray of hope they've been looking for.

There's an old saying that says. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." That applies here. We can talk about a person's needs. We can rationalize what must be done. We can make up excuses of why we shouldn't help. But, all of that is in vain until we take the step to show them how to live, to teach them how to give, and guide them with a light of love. Are you guiding others with a light of love? Or are you allowing your light to be hidden. Are you being an "angel" in someone's darkest hour?

Be an "angel" today!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to be an "angel" in someone's darkest hour.

That, my friends is just a few thoughts from this small town southern man!

Traveling down the long dusty driveways

The Walk-Sawyer Brown

Down our long dusty driveway
I didn't want to go
But I set out with tears
In my eyes wonderin'

An' Daddy took me by the hand
Looked down at the school bus
And his little man and said
"Don't worry, boy, it will be all right"

'Cause I took this walk your walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
Well, you can't hold back the hands of time
It's just somethin' you've got to do

So dry your eyes, I understand
Just what you're goin' through
'Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

Down our long dusty driveway
I set my mind to go
Well, I was eighteen and wild
And free and wonderin`

An' Daddy took me by the hand
Look out at the world
And his grown man and said
"Don't worry, boy, it will be all right"

'Cause I took this walk your walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
Well, you can't hold back the hands of time
It's just somethin' you've got to do

So dry your eyes, I understand
Just what you're goin' through
'Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

Down our long dusty driveway
This time we both would go
Well, he had grown old and gray
And his mind was a wanderin'

An' Daddy took me by the hand
Said, I know where we're goin'
And I understand
Don't worry, boy, it'll be alright

'Cause I took this walk your walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
Well, you can't hold back the hands of time
It's just somethin' you've got to do

So dry your eyes, I understand
Just what you're goin' through
'Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

'Yes, I took this walk you're walkin' now
Boy, I've been in your shoes

It wasn't until recently that I discovered this song. I absolutely love it. It's very true. It's always good to know that someone has been in your shoes before. My stepdad and I were discussing this very subject today. We were talking about how some people just don't understand what others go through. Often times they don't care what others are going through because they are too focused on themselves. Other times, they have a misconception of what others are going through-they don't see the true details of the matter. Yet, other times people see what others are going through and seem to care, but when it comes to the true heart of the matter they really don't-their "care" is often more for show. Then, last but not least, there are those people who have, as the song so accurately states, "been in your shoes." These people are the ones who know and feel your struggles, your triumphs, your tears and your fears. These are people who have taken "the walk."

I've always tried to be that person- a person who can genuinely be someone who can see what others are going through and give advice and comfort. However, it dawned on me today the type people who have genuinely "been in your shoes" are often the ones that were just placed there by no intention of their own.

For example, the parents and family of a handicapped child have no greater friend in understanding their situations than other parents and families of handicapped children. They've "been in their shoes." They know! They understand! They feel! They've "taken the walk!"

Personally, as someone of short stature, I have no greater friend than other people of short stature. They've "been in my shoes." They feel! They've "taken the walk!"

Therefore, since today is Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for those who have "been in my shoes." Without them life would be a lot harder. Thankfully, I'm fortunate enough to have many people in my life who have "taken the walk" with me, friends and family alike.

Yet, sometimes, people just need that person in their life who has "been in their shoes." That's where you come in to the picture. You see, there are hundreds and thousands of people in this world who are "walking down the long dusty driveways" of life. They don't want to go alone. So, why don't you step up and join them in their "walk." I can assure you that each and every person on this planet has been faced with some type of issue in their life and because of that can help someone else deal with that issue. We just have to be like the father in this picture. We've got to "take people by the hand" and tell them "I've been in your shoes."

So today, join someone on their "walk." Travel "the long dusty driveways" and let people know that you've "been in their shoes!"

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to travel that "long dusty driveway" and join someone for their "walk."

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from this small town southern man!