Glorious morning sky.

The morning skies of fall sing glorious praises of a kind and loving God.

Blue, gold and warm colors harmonize, reflect the love, peace and joy.

I share with Him in silence gracious prayer my thanksgiving for this humble life.

For love boundless and beyond measure.

For my companion and the joy and warmth I feel at her side.

For children that light the candle of hope for future ties that intertwine the hearts of men.

For eyes to see the living soul of our world.

For perception to realize beauty of a given moment.

For such miracles as these to see how small the feats of men.

My heart overflows with unfettered gratitude for every breath and tear.

For every cut and kiss.

For every sadness and laugh.

To see the glow of love and the feel the warmth of human touch.

I am bound to love our Creator and his works for he has given me the greatest gift.

To be a participant in the grandest parade of them all, Life.

Accepting the day.

   Accepting the day into your heart is the first step in becoming a co-creator with life.  There is no map, no predetermined outcome to this day.  A wise man once said that the only thing you have control over in life is how you choose to perceive and react to what is.  Only then do you have some control over the elements around you by first mastering the inner elements.

   Lao Tzu (The Tao Te Ching) tells us that the man that has mastered his inner world is the only one that really has mastered anything.  Even the greatest of skills and talents mean nothing if you cannot apply them in a constructive manner.

   I would suggest that the ultimate calling of man is to leave things better than he finds them.  Our lives are short, yet the impact of our actions can last for millennia.  What enduring impact do we chose to leave behind?

   Men do not have the privilege of seeing how much they really do impact the young lives gifted us as a mother does.  We do not see the reality of how our actions shape the future even beyond our lifespan.  My wife has explained to me over and over again how important it is to build a family that wants to be together so that beyond our days, they will still desire to be together.

   Did you realize that you can effect the quality of life for other individuals you will never know?  Your legacy, even if they do not know your name, will be felt long into the future depending on the choices you make now.

   Our world is on the brink of great and terrible things.  Powerful men, some with good intentions and many with poor intentions will decide the fate of millions if we as individuals do not keep the foundations in good order.  The foundation of any nation is the family, the homes where the character of the people are shaped and formed.

   Can you see it any other way?  Would you have it any other way?

   What can you do in your everyday relationships and interactions that will create more positive energy for our world?

   I hope and pray for those we have elected to lead.  I hope and pray that the people of every nation will chose wisely the ones they follow.

   Peace to you and those around you.  Compared to joy, happiness is a pretty shallow thing.  Joy comes to those who live at peace with the world in which they are a part of.

Billy B

Forbearance.

    I life, there are a lot of things that seem like they need to be dealt with.  The need to correct a child perhaps, that is not exact in their wording or understanding of a situation when in reality they may be far a head of their peers in even grasping a basic concept.  When constructive criticism is coming our way and not all of the facts are correct yet the overall message in on point or in the right direction.  The temptation exists to correct when nothing good will come of it.

   Eating crow can be a hard thing to take at times and we may grasp at small truths to shield our pride from injury or reality.

   Troubled skies can intimidate us into defense mode when letting go and listening could in fact be our savior.  A particular book I have referred to in the past brings so much to the table here.

“Don't take anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering” Miguel Ruiz - The Four Agreements.

   I guess it's safe to say one thing that really get's me is when I make mistakes because I am worrying about making mistakes.

   Here is the challenge I give you.  Can you take one day and in simple joy participate and separate yourself from making it personal?  In other words, be a participant without blaming yourself?  Can you participate without blaming others?  Can you participate without blaming?  Personal investment without making or taking things personal is a real challenge and yet that is what separates the "Enlightened Masters" from the masses.

   My instincts tell me that there is war brewing and soon the world will be embroiled in another one that is bigger than the regional or cultural wars we see all over the news.  The only way that war will end for our race and species is when we no longer tolerate those who must make themselves more important than the lives and peace of others or who feel they must exercise dominion over others.  Yet with what is going on in the world today, it seems like we are so far off from that goal.  The only way we stand a chance of success is first to realize the change within us.  We must first be the change we want to see in others.

   I pray for the well being of our world and our race.  I wish for peace for you and those around you.  I pray that peace will become the cornerstone of humanity and that love will become the law and not the exception.

With my whole soul,  I pray for you.

Billy B.

   

Sometimes you have to look to see the rainbow.

   It can be so easy to get caught up in life and the many duties and necessities of daily life.  Sometime there are amazing blessings or even miracles going on around us and we don't even notice them.

   I was taking a couple of pictures (it's turning fall and fall skies always draw me in) and noticed only when I paused to see which direction might have the best view, there had been a rainbow faintly showing right in front of me.

   I learned a new word recently, phone-ography, the other day.  We, meaning my wife and kids and I, where walking through a gallery in Trolley Square and saw this little sign that talked about the creative works of people who where using cell phones for artistic images. Funny, I used mine just because that's all I could really carry with me.  There were images of amazing beauty and grace that hung there.  Talent has a way of showing through no matter what the medium.

   What do you think is probably going on around you that you may not have noticed?  Or, what did you notice only after a while that drew you in and centered you just a little?  Can taking just a minute to appreciate beauty, no matter it's form serve a good purpose in your life?  If so, how can you share that with others?

   Source Forum.woodenboats.com

   In the adventure known as life, there are many experiences I have failed to appreciate and just as many that could use more than what I have given them.  I know this, there is only one day each month you can truly appreciate life, today.  I hope that you will take advantage of this marvelous day and show some love for the beauty and joy around you and within you.

   To you and those around you I give the gift appreciation.  Your presence here this day is a blessing.  The best kind of blessing that creation can offer.  You are the miracle that is today.

Billy B.

Appreciation.

   I enjoyed a fabulous Labor Day with my wife and two youngest and I hope you enjoyed an incredible day with the ones you love!

   We really didn't do anything in particular other than to spend time together.  Whether it's walking around a local farmers market looking at the wares or sitting around a table playing games,  It's good to just spend some time with those that matter most.

   The seasons have started to change and the Praying Mantis are laying their eggs in preparation for the up and coming cold.  The wasps are starting move slowly in the mornings and there is appreciation for more savory and comfort foods.

   There always seems to be some need to give a message, a challenge, some sort of purpose to posting a new entry.  If there is one today, it's to appreciate the ones you love.  Even when they get under your skin and quarrel with you.  Those with whom you share your life, your successes and failures are the greatest gift outside of the peace within you.  They are your sanity when nothing else will do.  They are your salve when the sting of reality comes calling.  They are the stuff that stirs you up when you need a push to get out of your comfort zone.

   Make sure that you let the ones you love know that you do love them.  Help them realize that the "ties that bind" are strong indeed and that they are important to you.

   May you feel the power of connection today.  May you always appreciate the gift that others are to you.

Peace friends.  Peace to you and to yours.

Billy B.

 

A great day for GRATITUDE!

   One of the best ways ever discovered to assist with the quality of life, the moment or just about anytime is the act and expression of gratitude.

   All the effort of a lifetime is worth it every time I see a marvelous sunrise or sunset,  or to see love in my wife's eyes.  Everything I could ever endure is worth seeing and feeling how the whole world lights up when there is a smile in her eyes or to experience a quiet still morning when all is still at peace.

   Every conflict is resolved when sitting at rest, letting the mind be, feeling the pulse of life as it circulated through the body.  All the world is right when peace and stillness reigns for those few brief moments of meditation or quietude.

   Have you ever just sat and observed the world as it is early before everything is up and moving?  Just listening, feeling and watching?

   Was there anything that was not exactly as it was?  No "should be", no "right" or "wrong".  No need for judgement, labels or narration? 

   I imagine a day when it is possible to go the whole day in just such a state of marvel and gratitude. No need for judgment and no place for "right" or "wrong".  How much courage does it take to live that way?  One must be willing to let go completely of expectations or excepted "known"s.

   My prayer is for a moment just such as the morn above for the world. Where every kingdom, clan and soul could sit in marvel.  Being filled with gratitude for the glory of this world and the life granted them.  Perhaps a feeling of being small for just a moment could help us all.  Perhaps our leaders and those who claim to serve the people could do with a dose of being small in a vast world for a few minutes.

   Peace, my friends. It is the only real gift I can offer you.  I hope that in some way, it is enough.

Billy B.

Peace unto others.

   It is my sincerest desire that you are having a fabulous day!  When the time comes that you will retire for rest, that will breathe deeply and know, you have lived well this day.

   Should you feel that will not be the case, pause and breathe for just a moment. Feel completely the miracle that is you and your life.  Know that you are just as whole and just a potent as the sun that sets.  Tomorrow you rise to a whole new day and life.

   Peace be yours and through you, peace unto others.

Billy B.