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The sun sets on another day…

As the sun crawls across the sky we know it is there even as we can’t see it. Even in the darkest storms it lights our path and lets the world come alive.

I read a quote today that was pretty awesome, it said: ‘”Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~ Howard Thurman’ . I was quite enamored by this quote as it focuses on what people truly need to do (in my opinion). Instead of trying to fix everyone else, perhaps it is time for people to fix themselves, and in the process the world will get better .

I saw a post on a social media site today about a woman who is finding a passion and making it a reality. In the process she is making the world a better place with her selfsame passion. It really doesn’t matter what the passion is, just make it special to you, and it may make a difference to the world.

So as the sun sets on another day, consider your passion. Consider what it is that makes you come alive, and (as long as it doesn’t hurt others) make that passion come alive,a nd bring the world along for the ride, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love often, and smile even more…

 

 

The sun sets on another day…

As the sun travels you often do not see that it moves from set to set, not necessarily setting in exactly the same location each day, true to the west, but somewhere out to the west, a journey that is never ending, but never exactly the same.

A year ago today I was presenting in San Diego. A year ago I was watching the sunset and enjoying the moments, as best I could. A year ago, it was a different world. As each day the sun has set our worlds change as mine has, new people, new faces, new challenges and only the memories of days gone by. Steps in the right direction buffeted by bittersweet memories as a world changes, and so do we.

There are a lot of people in the world so tied to the “status quo” that they cannot see the benefit of change, how it shapes us, allows us to grow, to experience and to build. Many people avoid change as an unknown, and fear rules. I like to think change is a doorway to happiness, and to new experience, new people, and new life.

On my journey I have met many wonderful people, some so amazing they touch the world. The patient doctor who helps everyone, the artist that builds from nothing, a comic queen, a quiet angel, the plethora of photographers all trying to capture a moment, all new, all exciting, and dozens more. 

Those that embrace change are on a constant journey, a journey that takes them often to the heights of beauty, and sometimes to the pits of despair (No no, not the pits of despair) but always a journey to move forward and make the world a better place just by being in it.

So as the sun sets on another day, consider change as a positive, there is so much to do, so much to learn and change takes us there. New and exciting places, fiery passionate embers, and cool nights, worm fires, all teach us more than years in the same place, they open our hearts and minds to more, and when the circle is complete we will be better for our journey. Hold tight and enjoy the ride, feel the breeze in your hair and listen to the flutter of the sails, take a breath and go further, faster, and feel it all, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and truly live it always….

The sun sets on another day…

Whether the sun is rising, setting, or out of site it is a ball of molten fire with seemingly limitless power, willing to burn all that come to it to a crisp. Heat, light, and a complete spectrum of radiations come to us as we are guarded only by a thin belt of electromagnetic belts. Most people are unaware and only know of these belts for making the pretty lights known as the aurora borealis or the aurora australis. We are protected from the fury of molten fire by the unnoticed.

Funny huh?

Today I considered two things because of yesterday.

1) Anger is something you should control. If you can’t, learn to control it. To not do so is to tempt a fate you may not want to imagine. 

Yesterday I was stopping by a business and walked in to this business to see a large man berating a young girl behind the counter. She was trying so hard to be patient as he hurled item after item at her, finally threatening her with physical violence if he did not get what he wanted. All the while I sat to the side and waited. She cautiously looked at me several times and said “I will be with you in a moment” as fiery indignation was hurled at her over and over, first for a refund, then for a direct line to the owners of the corporation or at least someone who would listen to him. She finally told him that if he came in and was violent that he would be arrested as they had to call the police. Seeing he was getting nowhere he screamed a last time, then as he walked out looked at me leaning against the door and grumbled I should not do business with them.

This whole line was not only uncalled for, but why in the world would anyone be so torn up over a few dollars for being late. He was late for his payment, he knew the penalty, and was arguing to get out of it at the risk of his freedom. (At the very least) I am always amazed at how many people can justify their tempers with everything from “I was right” to “Deal with it” to “this is just the way I am”. If it is the way you are, change it. You risk so much anytime you let go, trust me, I am aware from both sides.

2) Sometimes you have to be there for someone, even if you expect nothing in return. Be that unnoticed shield.

As all this was going on the girl handled it well and pleaded with her eyes for me not to get involved, so I patiently waited, and when another worker came up simply said, “I will wait for her.” When she was done and the man left in a steaming ball of molten anger I went to the counter, told her to take a deep breath, and as she started crying just told her sometimes people can’t see beyond themselves, and not to let it bother her. She said she was so scared because his girlfriend and he had threatened her personally and I looked at her and said, “That’s why I stayed.” She sniffled for a moment and stopped crying, took care of my silly problem finding my storage shed, and said thank you. She did not need to know that is why I stayed, nor did he, but I was watching to make sure she was not hurt even though I did not know her, and did not have to do it. Sometimes it is better that way. It is hard to say if he did not get physical because I was there, or if he just calmed down enough to access some modicum of intelligence, but the end result was she was safe, at least for that moment.

We all need to take note occasionally and stop with the “none of my business” attitude. Sometimes it is important to be kind, say a patient word, or make something better just by being there. I would never say put yourself in danger or any such nonsense, but perhaps if we took a minute and actually listened or stopped for a moment it would stop bad things from happening as often. It is even possible if we actually paid good attention to each other that we might actually feel good about life and realize we are all in this together. Well, maybe.

So as the sun sets on another day, if you have a temper that you cannot easily control, consider barber college (Bad Road House joke) or at least try to get it under control. If you see a wrong, consider listening to what you can do to make it right, in the end it is worth it. (Well, in my opinion at least)

Sleep sweet, sleep calm, and love to the moon and back….

 

The sun sets on another day…

There is a saying that beauty may make happiness but happiness always makes beauty. I am happy, so lets make some beauty.

So as the sun sets on another day, be happy, and make the world a beautiful place!

Sleep sweet, and enjoy every moment!

 

The sun sets on another day…

As the day passes into night there will be a sunset, then the day is gone. There is nothing we can do to change it, no way to get it back. The colors of the sunset will be gone and no sunset will ever be exactly like tonight’s, ever. For all the positives and negatives of the day there are no ways of making them better or worse, only the memory of what happened,and perhaps that too will fade over time.

I read a story today that was as follows:

A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side.

The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman. Then, without a word, the older monk picked up the woman, carried her across the river, placed her gently on the other side, and carried on his 
journey.

The younger monk couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his companion, he was speechless, and an hour passed without a word between them. Two more hours passed, then three, finally the younger monk could contain himself any longer, and blurted out “As monks, we are not permitted a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?”

The older monk looked at him and replied, “Brother, I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?”

When I read it I was more than impressed because it says far more than meets the eye. First and foremost sometimes doing what is right is better than doing what we think is righteous. We also see here that sometimes we have to question our values and make a good decision for the good of others. Perhaps another thought would be that the best way to be would be to sacrifice for the better of someone else. All good thoughts.

For me it is most important to look at the clear lesson, maybe it is better to sometimes let things go, to move on, and not to carry that tremendous baggage we can sometimes weigh us down. I have had numerous difficult items in my life that I disagreed with myself at the time, disagreed later, or was hurt by someone that should not have hurt me. I try each day to let those things go in favor of the promise of a good day, each and every day. Even in the face of devastation, keep a positive attitude and let those people and things that let you down go, no matter what.

So as the sun sets on another day, consider that the past is always the past, and if you do the best you can never let the worst be an issue. Just let it go.

Sleep sweet, dream well, and love life each and every day….

The sun sets on another day…

 t is funny when you talk to people and cannot see their point of view, or they yours. Funny strange at least, not necessarily ha ha. Sometimes we are complete reflections of each other, and do not easily understand others, but if we truly tried we would realize we are all part of the same group, all understanding from similar, but diverging points of view. In some religions it is believed that one opinion could not exist without the other, that the opposites are truly complementary and interdependent. (Don’t tell political people that, they may argue with you for hours) Anyway, the point is we can coexist and see beyond our opinions and understand others opinions if we try to see beyond our views and open our minds to new possibilities. 

I was discussing with a close friend a recent opportunity I will have and it was suggested I try new things, and as I considered I realized that I am always trying new things for the very reason that was suggested, I want to learn, and to grow every day, not be lost in a moment with an opinion that never sees further than me. It was a good observation and I challenge everyone to try to see beyond their comfort level and see something new, something exciting, and then make it happen.

So as the sun sets on another day, try, just try, to embrace all opinions, to understand the ununderstandable (good word huh) and converge with those people you normally diverge from as part of knowing a way to happiness. (Well, it sounds good at least)

Sleep sweet, enjoy the moments, and live life with passion that only you can understand, then share it, no matter what…

 

The sun sets on another day…

As the sun was setting I was racing for a spot I could take a picture tonight. My truck strained as I pressed the engine and I simply could not get a good place until right at the end of sunset. On the way, however, I passed multitudes of mystical mists swirling around the fields and crops waiting for a moment to be discovered.  Unfortunately, I could not stop in the areas these were in, but am glad I enjoyed the moment. It reminded me of a story I wrote some time ago you can find here.

In life we are sometimes given the most amazing opportunities, but the timing is wrong to take them, or it just doesn’t work. Like it did for me tonight though, there is always a place and a time to see that opportunity through and make a difference to yourself and perhaps to others.

So as the sun set son another day, enjoy the opportunities you are given, and take them when you can, sooner rather than later, and make every day the best day ever, no matter what.

Sleep sweet, love life, and enjoy your moments, each and every one.

The sun sets on another day…

Each day I check the time of sunrise and sunset and try to time a moment I can watch, plan a place I can be, or take the time to guess the moments. I have gotten rather good and can tell from the lay of the sun about how much time there will be before sunset, and how colorful it will be.

In life we can often tell how a day will be by the lay of the day as well. The American Authors noted their great day as :

I had a dream so big and loud
I jumped so high I touched the clouds

and i like to think I try to do that every day, I mean shouldn’t we all try to do that daily? Isn’t it our duty to dream big and make a difference each and every day that makes the world a better place? Not for fame, fortune, or some type of recognition but because it is the right thing to do. 

I have a friend who is always helping other people. It is difficult some times for her to see how much she gives of herself without worry or care, and in the process she asks for nothing in return. This is the person we should always try to be, the one who makes things work to make the world a good place. 

So as the sun sets on another day, do something nice, dream a dream, and make it huge so the world will be amazed at it. Then make that dream real, no matter the obstacles, and in the process, maybe make the world a better place.

Sleep sweet, love life, and smile as you find your way to your dream, no matter what…

_{Photo by Pam Pearson}

The sun sets on another day…

As the sun passes through space and as we rotate around its celestial mass, there is no weather, no sound, no echo of yesterday or tomorrow, just the passing of time as it should be with nothing but the time to mark the passing of the day.

We see a multitude of changes here. As the sun rises and sets we have tides, and weather patterns. The sun rises and burns away the fog, and sets and brings with its setting a dew upon the flora. Well, maybe. The point is the weather that makes up our area is what gives us glorious sunsets. In places like Arizona there is so much going on in the air the sunsets are astounding, even though they are usually dry sunsets.

It is my opinion that the more that happens to us, the more astounding we can be. As we experience each colorful incident in life we too become a little more colorful until we are as astounding as a vivid sunset. Amazing experiences make us more alive, and show the world around us a reason to be excited about life.

So as the sun sets on another day, consider that which does not kill us makes us stronger, and change it a little to that which does not kill us makes us more wonderful. It may not make sense, but it is often true.

Sleep sweet, have fun, and live life to its fullest each and every day…

The sun sets on another day…

The world turns and we are part of an ever increasing spiral going around the sun. Each day is an adventure as long as we are willing to make it one. Each night a chance to start a new day and make that day even better. Each sunset a lesson in beauty for us all.

There are so many things that can bog down our days. Job, family, people, more people, things, stuff (Feeling a little general today). it is easy to get lost in them, why not today take a moment and move past all the stuff and realize there is never a good reason to have a bad day. (Broad stroke but even the worst day has some hope.) 

So as the sun sets on another day, remember it is a good day, and tomorrow ill be too, as long as you make it one.

Sleep sweet, love puppies, and have an amazing day each and every day…