Drift Proof

Guided buy its captain, the vessel eased its way into the protected cove. After crossing the open waters of the Pacific, the crew was ready for a less tumultuous process of the journey that was to be an exploration of predefined and anticipated beauty. The mountains that surrounded the cove provided a sense of greatness that only the eye could digest, and the soul could affirm. With no uncertainty and with confidence, the process of acknowledgment was now confirming the existence of something far more greater than the senses of human and spiritual comprehension. Upon arriving at water with sufficient depth, the anchor was lowered and the process of securing it, began. Releasing enough rode, as to give the tongs the correct angle in which it could bury its self into the rock mixed with clay at the bottom, the connection was made. The captain then set the drift alarm with its parameters, so that in case the vessel drifted out of the established arena, it would alarm the crew of the position in jeopardy and the crew could then adjust or make changes necessary to maintain the anchor of the vessel.

Life can toss us about. Will we find rest? Are there signals that warn us of impending danger? How do we react to them? Everyday provides us with tools and experiences in which we resolve and commit to our journey in this life. The ever changing of tides, weather and navigational options keep the captain always tentative to his surroundings. With many options to situations, which one will be the best? Could it be a good idea that a captain maintains an account of events and situations? GR

03-31-2011 Hang on or Let go.

The conversation started out like this. "We were fishing in the ocean one day and had a failure with the engine of the boat we were on. With no power we were drifting toward shallow water where there were numerous rock formations. Most certainly if we stayed with the boat we would be pulverized by the rocks. If we left and went into the water we would most likley get hypothermia or perish because of fatigue. We still had power in the battery and were able to make a call to the Coast Guard and any others that were in the area. We made our distress call waited. As time seemed to pass slowly, and as we drifted closer to the rocks, we were now faced with a decision. How long were we going to wait for a response? Did anyone hear us? Would we stay with the boat until that last minute? If we stayed with the boat, we would have less time in the water and not very much more time until we were in the rocks also. Would we time it so that we were close enough yet not so close, so that if we weren't rescued, the hypothermia and fatigue would take us so that we wouldn't suffer the punishment from the rocks. So many things swirled through our minds in an instant." Do we find ourselves in these situations emotionally, physically and spiritually? How many times have we played the various possibilities over and over again? Finally, we are rescued and the way in which we were, was not at all one of the options we had even considered. GR

03-29-2011 Are there variables?

How many of us have brought home a recently purchased item, and want to know how it works, only to find that we need to choose the language most familiar to us. Sometimes it  seems almost impossible to do so. Then the trips to the store to buy something and you find that there is more than one type or style of the item you are looking for. We then have to investigate a bit as to what it is we want to do at this point. The label of the unfamiliar item suggests that it has something in which to one you are accustomed to does not have. Now begins the process of comparing the variables. We might need to sacrifice some small detail in order to gain something better with the other choices. How is this going to make a difference in our daily lives? We have choices. We make choices. Will they be good? Will they allow us to continue with some degree of sanity in this world of many variables. My observation is that yes we will. There is a conman denominator here. We recognize that someone has control of all things, and find ourselves submitting to the presence of  this source. Again we have decided with whom and with what, we find purpose to exist. GR

03-28-2011 What do we really want?

Through hours of emotional and soulful anticipation, we visualize and analyze all the possibilities of  whatever it is that we have put all this energy into. For some it is as simple as going to buy necessities at the store. For others it is far more complex. There is no doubt that motive and fact have two different paths in which they motivate us. Facts are presented to us by what has happened in the past, and what would most likely happen again. Motive is variable. One can exist by following fact. Also one can find a great deal of distress if their motive is something different than truth. Everyday we are challenged to check these two options that we have in order to exist. If truth is based on motive then we have variables. If truth is based on fact it most likely has very few if any variables. We choose everyday what it is we think will move us to the next step in this incredible journey called life. Which one will I choose today. GR

03-25-2011 When Life Gets Busy

There is never a moment that passes that someone, somewhere, is in transit to a specific location. We are on the go. Some more than others. Combining both obligation and necessity to our active lives, it seems a bit overwhelming at times. We feel as if we need to strap on an energy booster as well as a powerful dose of caffeine in order to complete our tasks. Then again some have found that what life we do have left is a privilege and are overcome by this blessing. This in its self seems to be an incredible factor of motivation. OK I feel better already. GR

03-24-2011 Worth the time.

Every day I'm reminded that a day starts and a day ends. We have our days divided into time allotments. We for the most part account for our time spent in a day. There are pending appointments, work, family needs and really a quite exhaustive list of many different tasks that we are privileged to perform. Our mere existence is identified by how we execute or perform each and every one of them. Have we ever considered how often we lose track of time. We use time to regulate, position, motivate and many other things very important to our lives each and every day. In reality we very rarely try to function without knowledge of time. Other than the cost of something, time is often the most thought of issue we think of when making a decision. Hey wait a minute, is it really? GR 

03-23-2011 Forgetting important stuff

Yesterday I mentioned that how in the very beginning of Genesis, it gives physics all the key ingredients to provide proof in science. What would happen if we were to leave one of these out. We can all think of a time when we attempted to make or do something in which we overlooked something important. Most likely we use these as lessons learned in life. If your like me you focus on past experiences to better perform in situations that come along, only to be so focused that we overlook an other key issue. This is life. One lesson after another. We create them. How? We do stuff. We get up in the morning. We read. We pray. We Work. We sleep. There is a pattern to what we are about. We are curious creatures by nature. We work physically to provide sustenance for our mere existence. We rest so that we can recharge our minds and bodies. If we fail to do any of these things for any amount of time, it has a very negative effect on us. There are examples of this all around us. Each of us see this a little differently perhaps. All in all we agree that life is fragile. Who we are, and how we navigate this life makes a huge contribution to the overall culture and environment in which we live. Our lives seem to just co exist along side of millions of other lives. Sometimes we feel as if we are just part of a river passing by. Maybe by chance one looks back on the initiation of our existence and gets just a glimpse of whats important. Time, Source, Action, Air and Mass. Such simple words to define, yet an incredible combination that has yet to be fully executed to its greatest potential. We are an important part of a perfect plan. We are defined by our willingness to recognize that there is a power and existence far more complex than one can imagine, yet because we believe in it, it simplifies our lives. GR

03-22-2011 After we push and pull.

The energy we have used by the time we are done fighting something big, can put us in a very vulnerable state. We have used physical energy, mental energy and spiritual energy. We are designed to re energize given we take the time to do so. This of course is easier said than done. The battle has taken its toll on us. The adrenalin that we have used is still keeping us active physically and mentally. Spiritually we sense that something needs to happen. What do we do? Who do we talk to? Where do we go? This vicious cycle of process just keeps going until we do one or two things. We conquer or we crash. All in all this is a normal process that we do each and every day in order to make something happen. We need time. We need a source. We need action. We need air. Finally we need something solid or mass to do what ever it is that we do. When we think of mass, it could be an object. When we walk, we are walking on mass. In our case it is the surface of whatever is connected to the earth itself. If we are standing it is on something solid. If its flying its still an object, mass. If we can walk on water, the water is contained by the earth, mass. When we read Genesis, the very first ten words give us this illustration. "In the beginning (Time) God (source) created (Action) the Heavens (air) and the earth (mass)." This seems to be a really good foundation of providing an opportunity to let us make the effort to initiate whatever it is that needs to be accomplished. Time, Source, Action, Air (oxygen), Mass (something solid). Are you tired yet?!!! I am. I recognize that all in all God has control of everything. No matter how much emotional energy or physical energy I use, the relationship and knowledge of whose is in charge here, is the only way I can surrender my will. When the submission is released, then I can rest and re energize these God given instincts of survival. Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual.   GR

03-21-2011 The Power of A Little Bit

I remember the boss telling me, "You don't need to create much of a fuss to move something big." He was telling me this as we were moving about a 15 ton section of an automatic stacker they wanted us to connect to the existing one. They had positioned it by crane real close to the other one. All we had to do was move it about 3 inches toward the existing one and maybe a couple of inches to the side, so that it lined up the connection joint that we were going to install. Now we weren't going to lift it or anything, just slide it on the concrete. All we had was a wheel barrow with a couple of come-a-longs ( these are small hand powered pulleys) a couple hydrological jacks and a worm screw jack. We connected the pulley device to the existing unit on both ends, then put the hydro jacks about a quarter of the way in on the far end of the new piece. We connected the pulleys to the new one. Then he put the worm-screw jack right in the middle of the end with the two hydrological jacks. The pulleys were going to pull and the jacks were going to push. The jacks were supported by 6x12s that were against a concrete wall of about 2 foot thick with a lot of steel in them. We started to push a little. Then we put pressure on the pulleys. Then back to the jacks. Then to the worm-screw. We went around the clock sort of speak, moving, pushing and pulling a 1/8 inch at a time. It was more tiresome moving from one pulley and jack to another, than if we had pushed physically accomplishing nothing. For about three hours we did this. Finally he said, "OK lets put the connections together." As we attempted to line up the pre-drilled holes of the connector with the existing stuff that was there, we saw that we were off about 1/8 or a bit more. I was expecting a big show of emotion from this chap when he reached into his back pocket and pulled out this tiny little pry bar. He then lined it up with the connector and took a rubber mallet and hit it a couple of times and smoothly inserted the bolts into the connector. Moving the 15 ton piece had not used much of our energy. Putting ourselves at the various pulleys and jacks, had really taken its toll on us.
For sure I make a lot of noise when trying to accomplish something. I want attention. I need approval. I need to feel like I made a difference. Then I want to sit back and bask in the completion of my endeavor. When I realize how much more needs to happen other than my personal efforts, I think that I might need to consider the idea that without help of other factors and tools, I most likely could not complete my tasks. My creator gave me a work space. He has given me a wheel barrow with the essentials that I need in order to do His work. Now I just need to figure out what tool does what job. This is way to cool. Take care all GR

03-20-2011 Change and Motive

Yesterday I was writing a piece about change. There have been many changes in my life. Were they good? Not all of them. Were they bad? Not all of them. I can't really detail each occasion with accurate input, yet I will say that the thing that really comes to my mind is the subject of motive. Is change a "change" or a motivated compulsion. To find the answer to this question, I tried to make a short list of the different seasons of my life where I have had changes. Wew, this was a journey that nearly exhausted me before I was done making my list. My short list. Now I know this may sound kind of like I'm trying to make a point here, but it was an interesting process as I began to recreate the events that have taken place right up till this minute. The thing that startled me the most was that I often jumped into the water without knowing how to swim. This is a little troubling  because I have always ranted, especially during the crescendo of a crises, THIS WON'T HAPPEN IF YOU HAVE A PLAN!! YOU NEED A GAME PLAN!! YOU IDIOT (speaking of myself)!!!
Yep, ol bunky boy extracting some of his half the normal amount of testosterone. Planning is not a crime. The fact is, it is a very good idea. You just need to plan that the plan will need a plan for the plan of the plan. In saying this  I see that I was an expert in rewriting the plan. The only problem was that my plan had no room for error, or margin as they put it more delicately. Will I be wrong for making a plan and then have it change? Should I not plan? What should I do? God had a plan. He started it.  However he gave man a free will. We just messed stuff up. All the time in fact. We look back and marvel that we're still sucking air and able to watch the bible belt boys drive around the track in their "nice cars". NASCAR. Was my decision to make a change based on necessity, or compulsion. Well, I'm still working it out and all, my answer is still in the making. I'll keep you posted. "Lord as this day passes and those that are to pass, by your will, let me see the value of being slower to jump and see the value of planning for the plan of the plan. You are the perfect plan. Change my heart oh God, make it ever true. You are the potter, I am the clay, shape me and mold me Lord, this is what I pray."  New changes? New motives? Sounds good to me. Love ya all. GR

03-19-2011 Change

This is a new day and wow, there is  a ton of stuff going through my brain. Where's the next job going to come from? Do I have enough money to pay the upcoming bills? Is there going to be an issue with radiation here on the West Coast? As I consider all the above mentioned items, I guess that for some, mentioning these thoughts might show a lack of confidence or demonstrate weakness. After all I think I've heard it said that faith will move mountains. Well - - - - it has. Right here on my desk. There was an enormous amount of clutter, a mountain of stuff if you want to call it that. All I had to do was just reach out and gently start accumulating the papers and putting them in a separate area of my desk. Then as I stated yesterday, everything else just kind of happened because of the feedback I was getting by seeing change. Positive change. Guys kind of move their beards around a little for change. The women go to their shoe rack, dress rack and bling rack for change. Guys shave their head so that they can't be hassled about trying to comb some of the stray hair that is left after the apoplectic event of baldness. Then there are some like me who just don't have that perfectly shaped head. So we snap on the number two clipper and cut er down to the last 1/4 inch or so. We now focus on the beard and the various ways that we can change it. We have those one or two shirts that we always wear, yet are sure that the new beard and stash will steal the show. If your like me you have paint on 90 percent of your attire. If your not like me, hey, get some paint on a shirt or two. People think your doing stuff. Just don't get in a rut. Wear a different shoe on each foot sometime to see if anyone will notice. If they don't, why are you wearing that 200.00 pair shoes? My dads color blind and I remember many times mom going through and rematching his socks. I really doubt that anyone really noticed. There are for sure things we do that really snap the necks of others when we change them. Cars, houses, jobs, well you get the picture. Change is good. Change is not so good also. People are challenged by change. When I read that God created this universe that we live in, I am awestruck that it is a universe. It is not limited to this desk and the keyboard in which I'm writing this bit right at this moment. Thank you LORD!!!

03-18-2011 Who needs coffee!!

Yesterday I was struggling to do something constructive. As this time
of year passes, and I find myself in the position of Mr. Mom or whatever  it is that they call a guy at home. There seems to be a thing they call
"time lapse". In the photography world they use this to obtain some of
the most incredible scenery of the events that happen in space and
actually everywhere. It gives the camera time to capture more detail.
How can I use this time to do some detail work? As I tried to imagine a
clean desk, clean kitchen and many other pending tasks, I couldn't get
around the issue of making myself do them. Maybe an hour went by
and finally I started by grabbing all the papers on my desk. Then I
rounded up all the unclaimed writing utensils. Now that I could
actually see the desk, I began to get more motivated. The loose change
went into the "CRUISE" fund. The computer peripherals went into a
designated box. Then the coffee cups began to catch my eye. There were  a couple that had escaped my quick glance over the black surface of the  desk. That motivated me to quickly go check my work trucks, and of  course there were some more there also. Rats. Those trips home from  Wal Mart with a couple of new cups each time now presented me with more cups than would fit into the dishwasher or the cupboard. Other than winning the coffee cup lottery, I now had a new burst of energy. I  dumped out the old coffee and was going to brew some fresh decaf, but the coffee monster had cleaned me out. OK. So that’s why I'm here writing this little bit of personal inspiration to myself. I need a  plan. Better yet maybe I need to switch to tea. LOL. Thank you Lord that when we seek to find something, in  asking for your inspiration and blessing, we quickly find or learn also what it is that you want from us. We step out in faith. Just like my hand did to the paper on my desk. You then provide the energy for us to  continue with your will. Sometimes we don't know just how everything  is going to happen. We stress. WHAT?? Hmmm, OK, I stress---- a little.  LOL. Yes Lord I do admit that when I want the perfect plan all laid out  before I start something, nothing seems to go right. OK I get it.  I think. Well I stopped cleaning my desk to share this bit of inspiration with the few that might read it. Now back to the cleaning. Who knows what more I'm going to find. Love you all. GR