NEWS FROM WORLD: Get Real!!!

Well Gang,

I wasn't planning on writing tonight, but I got that little prod I normally get that tells me I should write something. I'm actually working on quite a few things right now and they all have a different priority of when they will be posted. What usually starts as an idea will usually make it to a word document and it will take a place on my "in progress" list. Some content comes out quick, while some may take a few days or even weeks. The good thing is that it will all make its way to your screen. Okay, maybe that's just a good thing for me. Regardless, tonight I felt led to write so this is coming directly from my fingers to you.

Let's get REAL!!!

I've had a few conversations with a few of you over the last few days where I've wondered what it was like for you to read my blog. I only have my view of it and that is as its author. I wonder what it is like for you. Of course, I get feedback from some of you and that is ALWAYS welcome and appreciated. What I wonder about is what is it like for you to read my thoughts, my feelings and everything in between and beyond. I really have no concept of what it is like for you. I'm fairly certain that many of you have a good laugh or chuckle about some of the things I've shared. I'm sure I've made some of you cry and smile. Okay, I know that I have because some of you have told me so. Trust me, I could not be more honored that you have feelings at all. The truth is that when I started this blog it was just one way to express myself. It was a medium to share what has happened and what is going on in my life. I only included each of you because I am fond of you. You each have impacted my life in positive ways. I've had to reach out to you when I've struggled. Some of you have helped me to pick up the pieces or even to gain a better understanding of my life. You've been my "encouragers " and I am so blessed because of it. I just want to say THANK YOU for that. You are all important to me. Very important to me.

So as I've sat here and wondered, I've imagine you sitting there surprised, perplexed, maybe even a little curious as to what I would say or go to next. I'm sure you've asked yourself, "Where did he pull this from?" Just wondering that brings me the greatest joy and pleasure. I know that I can pull some pretty abstract thoughts out of my humble little head or say something fairly clever. I take the greatest joy in what I write (because I love to write), but I so enjoy imagining you sitting there and wondering yourself. Just thinking about it brings the biggest grin to my face. Like I said, I'm even surprised that you sit there and read it all. Once again, Thank you! It does mean a lot to me.

Do you know why I write? It's not necessarily for you. That's just a by product. I write for myself. This is when I feel most free. It's a vulnerable kind of free, but nonetheless I feel free. I write because it helps me sort out my life. You just have the window seat on it. A front seat view to my world. By writing I get a chance to sort out the things that are important to me. I get the opportunity to learn about myself. I get the opportunity to learn about my faith. I get the opportunity to learn about love. Too tell you the truth, I never know what I'm going to say. I'm often just as surprised as each of you. Sometimes I even find myself saying, "Where did he pull that from?" It's always FUN!!! Granted, I usually have a thought and idea and a general framework of where I want to go, but I truly don't know how I will get there. That just comes out on its own. It's REALLY me...unfiltered. It's really me...getting real. Thanks again for sharing it with me.

You know what's funny about life? You never know what is going to happen. Not for one second. Sure, you can have a schedule. You can have a want. You can have a need. You can have a desire. You can have a plan, but one thing remains true, you will never know what is going to happen. There is something so beautifully complex in not knowing that. Tonight was one of those nights.

Tonight I had the opportunity to sit with a coworker I've known for years, but we really never "knew" each other. Sure, we've enjoyed working together. I think its safe to say that we've had a mutual respect for one another, but we never truly knew one another. Tonight we had an opportunity to get real over a good dinner. It was unplanned, unscheduled and it just happened. I had the chance to learn about this man, his life, his faith and his perception of me. Somewhere in the process I learned a lot about me. I had a chance to share some of my story and I felt free in doing so. Actually, I'll be honest. I felt blessed. I didn't expect that at all. That's the thing about this life. I never know what will happen. Now do we really know each other? Not completely, but I learned a lot about him and myself. I do know that the conversation at dinner was destined to be. He'll know what I'm talking about, because he was there. We talked about things that few coworkers do, but probably should.

I don't mean to talk in riddles or around the subject. The conversation was between him and I with our ever present Heavenly Father guiding us along the way. I want to thank this man for his friendship. It meant a lot to me. Most importantly he prayed for me. That is truly something special. I'm always honored when someone will add me to a prayer. That's one of the most special things that anyone could do for me. Thanks bud! Thanks for blessing me along my way.

Most importantly, I want to thank my Heavenly Father! Father, you never cease to amaze me. You answer so many prayers, even the ones I never say aloud. You are truly amazing. So gracious and so unforgiving to a man like me. Thank you for loving me that much. I can't comprehend why you do. I truly can't. You will have to help me with that. Thank you for guiding me to get real. I pray that...I always will.

Well my friends, there's no point to this blog post. No framework. No color. No hidden mickeys. Nothing clever. No final destination. I just wanted to get real. I hope you do too!

May God continue to shine His Heavenly light on each and every one of you. I love you all.