As I am nearing the end of the month it seems like a good time to check in with my yearly goals for this year. First goal, I have continued to keep a good schedule of doing a blog each week. I have to say that I am finding that the anticipation of writing each week gives me something to look forward to. I find that with a reminder each week I can think about what I want to write. I find myself saving ideas for stories as a part of the reminder. I don't know that my blogging has became more inspired. I never intended for this blog to be a literate blog. I am merely reflecting my ideas and thoughts. Sometimes there simple observations on life.
The second goal, I am really glad that I choose to try and not worry anymore. I really have to try to remind myself not to worry. Many times it is simple enough to tell myself, "Don't worry about it." I know that my stomach has been thanking me for the effort I have made to not worry. I really have a terrible stomach because of the stress that I have put myself through. I was living off antacids and prescription antacids. Recently, God pointed out to me that there are others who were able to eliminate worry about life. The Daily Bread devotional on 01/19/10 talked in part about how Paul lived without worry while in prison. (Click the title to go to the devotional entire.) The commentator talked about how Paul was, "content in Christ." That by being content in Christ Paul was able to live in prison without worry. But in turn, Paul was striving to improve his "spiritual progress." I can see how both goals work hand in hand. Relying on Christ means living a worry free life, but in order to live in that constant state free of worry one must strive to come closer to God. Letting God fulfil our needs by drawing ourselves closer to Him.
One final observation on living a worry free life. When you begin to live worry free you find yourself being more honest than you might have been in the past. Worry comes both from what you say and what you don't say to others. Dealing with them in honest means all the cards are on the table you've got nothing to hide from anyone so there is nothing to worry about.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Strong Decision Makers No More
Here in Colorado budgets are tightening, and many politicians are having to make some very difficult decisions. But it seems that many politicians are not going to be able to make those decisions. A good example close to me is the school district that I work in as a law enforcement officer has a nearly forty million dollar short fall to make up. The School Board had put out a list of schools that were potentially going to be closed. The School Board took public comment and researched each of the schools. There seemed a good chance that two even three of the schools on the list were going to be closed. But in the end only one school was marked for closure. And even the closure of that one school didn't even cover one tenth of the amount of money needed to make up the short fall. There is a strong sense that the School Board bowed to public outrage over the closure list by not closing more schools.
Why didn't the School Board close more school? Surely, they realize that they are going to have to come back the list of school again this year. The School Board knows that there will have to be cuts in the budget somewhere. They just aren't strong enough to make those cuts, yet.
That seems to be the re-occurring theme of American politic, now. There is plenty of harsh political rhetoric but no actions to back up the words. The health care overhaul that we were promised looks to be stalled in Congress, and if it ever comes out of Congress chances are it will do little to nothing to cuts costs for anyone. Strong decision are required to make changes in the world right now. Those decisions are not going to be popular. Someone will lose out. Whether those people are the controlling interests of today or the generations that come after. At times, I wonder why I participate in the political process at all. What does my vote count when the men and women whom I vote for become yellow bellied. They play to the coward in the hopes that coward will carry them through the next election. But playing to the coward means no problems get fixed. Someone needs to stand up and make things work not because he or she wants to get re-elected but because it's fixing something that has been broken for too long.
Why didn't the School Board close more school? Surely, they realize that they are going to have to come back the list of school again this year. The School Board knows that there will have to be cuts in the budget somewhere. They just aren't strong enough to make those cuts, yet.
That seems to be the re-occurring theme of American politic, now. There is plenty of harsh political rhetoric but no actions to back up the words. The health care overhaul that we were promised looks to be stalled in Congress, and if it ever comes out of Congress chances are it will do little to nothing to cuts costs for anyone. Strong decision are required to make changes in the world right now. Those decisions are not going to be popular. Someone will lose out. Whether those people are the controlling interests of today or the generations that come after. At times, I wonder why I participate in the political process at all. What does my vote count when the men and women whom I vote for become yellow bellied. They play to the coward in the hopes that coward will carry them through the next election. But playing to the coward means no problems get fixed. Someone needs to stand up and make things work not because he or she wants to get re-elected but because it's fixing something that has been broken for too long.
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