I think myself 'stupid' to say it, but until recently I had never been into reading. I enjoyed the occassional latest-greatest fiction novel, but I had never developed a keen interest in the likes of Emerson, Steinbeck, Camus, Churchill and others until now. It brought me to the realization that a person develops their own mind and principles through acquiring knowledge; transforming that information into wisdom. Ralph Waldo Emerson said these words,

"Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."

I believe that he is speaking of action, for acquired knowledge of wisdom only has meaningful value through action or deliberate inaction.

American Novelist and Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck gives us a few words of wisdom. He was born this day in 1902.

“No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself.”

There is a flaw in my thinking that baits me to believe that I know how someone else is thinking; for I do not understand how even I came about my thoughts. Yet, I continue to try. Why?

On this day in 1932, Johnny Cash was born. If you've seen the movie portraying his life, you'd know he had struggles. This is one bit of advice he gave.

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."

I never got to know my Grandfather, my father's father. He passed away when I was just a child barely 3. I've heard about the man he was and he loved to hear the songs of Johnny Cash, telling it like it was, writing/singing from the heart. He was also a man that believed in another day, another chance to make things right. This entry is dedicated to him.

The humble CS Lewis writ,

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”

Psalm 27:3-5.

General and first American President George Washington is honored this day of his birth in 1732. He is considered one of America's founding fathers and he had these words to say.

“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion”

Though he also made mark in saying,

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

To me these words live on...

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained”

Amen, I say to that.

17th century English philosoher John Locke said this,

"It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth."

I ask myself whether I learn more from my errors, or unveiling the truth. In truth, there is light and I believe it is in the light that I also discover my errors.

One more thought from John Denver to finish the work week.

The best thing you have to offer the world is yourself. You don't have to be anyone else. If you do, you are second best. To achieve success is to be first, and that's being yourself.

I am and must continue to come to the realization that I am imperfect. Despite it, I must be myself. In as such, I put my trust in Him for strength to overcome my flaws, my insecurities and above all else, my fears.

I did not listen to the songs by John Denver during the days he lived his life. Though recently, I've come to understand why so many were moved by his music. He writ and sang with passion and purpose.

There has never been a time on Earth like we see today. What we need are more ways to experience our interconnectedness - it is a precursor to deep love. So in this quickening light, with the dawn of each new day, let us look for love. Let us no longer struggle. Let us ever become who we most want to be. As we begin to be who we truly are, the world will be a better place.

Isn't that all that God asks of me? To be true to Him and do His will.

There's a book I'm reading and in it, this line spoke to me. I've discovered this thought prior in my own recent writings, yet with other literal phrasing. Author James McDonald says it this way.

I don't want an "A" for appearance - I want the real thing in my heart. I don't want to look right - I want to be right.

In further thought, I can undestand the meaning Dr. McDonald may be trying to express, but it must be taken a step further from being 'right' to 'righteous in living'.

Hellen Keller became blind before she was two from illness. In my perspective, her earthly illness became one of humanity's greatest gifts.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.

There is nothing wrong with having strength. Perhaps there is nothing wrong with having fear. Maybe it is by having such fear, that we find the greatness of the strength given to us.

Theologian and Bishop Jeremy Taylor bears these thoughts,

Enjoy the blessings of this day, if God sends them; and the evils of it bear patiently and sweetly: for this day only is ours, we are dead to yesterday, and we are not yet born to the morrow.

This passage reminds me to seize the moment and not squander it with worries, doubts or concerns. The day is given as a gift, just as yesterday was. Yesterday's wrappings are now old and the surprise inside unveiled. Why look towards tomorrow, when we've barely begun unwrapping today's. A 'thank you' should be said.

I feel like today is a good day to hear from the Charles M. Schulz character, Charlie Brown. He makes me smile; the innocence, a pure heart of good intentions.

“In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.”

Too often, I try to find the shortcut. There really isn't one. And if there was and I took it, what would I have learned? What would have been the point?

We need to read the whole book to understand, and then, read it again.

Author Dave Dravecky noted,

I've come to realize that real growth of character takes place in the valleys of life.

The last place I wanted to be was in the valley and to feel the heartache of the descent with blinded sight and an ignorant mind, alone.

However, what is learned in the valley can only be experienced there, in person. That knowledge, that wisdom cannot be felt by reading or contemplation. Nor is the descent ever experienced alone.

Is it written in 2nd Chapter of James, verse 24,

You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I believe that 'action of faith' is part of the climb. It is an exhilerating adventure that He has always desired His children to experience.

On the morning of this full moon, I return to one of my favorite wise elders, Albert Einstein.

"Only a life lived for others is worth living."

This quote is simple, yet intuitive of our greater life's purpose.

I looked in the mirror today and saw a person screaming to be free! Do something! Change. Make a difference.

The person in the mirror was the 'me' of yesterday. Everything thing that I am today is a culmination of all my yesterdays, but it's not who 'I am'. It's people knowing me from my actions, my words and all the things of the past. And in the blink of my eye I heard a voice tell me, 'Today is a new day to be the person I want you to be.'

It's an opportunity to overwrite the wrongs, begin anew. This today is given to me for a reason. Who am I to squander it. I rejoice and am grateful.

The world was given a glimpse of the holocaust through the eyes of a young girl, named Anne Frank. Her feelings have inspired people of every race and religion. With love, we remember her this day.

The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.

He has allowed me to create who I am and what I will be. I hope I am making Him proud.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was taken a decade before my birth. I only know of him through history books. Until now, the only words I had heard him speak were from 'I have a Dream....' In researching this last day and choosing which quote to post, I found this audio track posted at the The King Center. I invite you to listen to him.

I listened to it once, and I felt Dr. King's passion. I listened to it again, and I heard his words. I listened a third time, and I understood.

Recognize, he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That is the new definition of greatness... and everybody can be great, because everybody can serve...
You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant.

Dr. King, your passion lives and continues today. Thank you.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired Americans and individuals around the world. He spoke words and took action that brought unity and non-violence with the principle of unconditional love.

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream, the Trumpet of Conscience.”

Dr. King reminds me that beneath this armor is that Trumpet of Conscience, wanting to be played.

This statement from Dr. King hits me especially hard.

“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

What he must have went through to overcome the obstacles he faced, and the faith in God he must have had to take that first step. The times and circumstances are different, but the obstacle is the same. The obstacle is not the haters or the bashers, or the unholy triad of the desires of this flesh, worldly powers and the devil's temptations, but the depths of my faith and everlasting belief, to take the first step.

In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. released a book entitled Strength to Love. It contains sixteen sermons and one essay entitled "Pilgrimage to Nonviolence." The book was one of many which he wrote conveying his beliefs and stance on the conflicts he confronted.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”

I find my strength in Truth; to seek it, unveil it, choose it, act upon it, and to believe it in all its humbled glory.