Ever met someone who has gone through many vicissitudes in life? Somehow, knowing some of the details allows one to understand better the character of that person. I have met people who have been through many sad experiences in life and somehow, they seem to have a good and grounded personality. I am dumbfounded by the ones who have had a pretty good life since childhood and still manage to complain about how unfair life is and how it should be better. The first group of people is usually more grateful, and the later seems to be somewhat unhappy and in perpetual discontentment. It puzzles me. Does the sum of one’s life determine character? I think it determines the level of growth and maturity.
As a writer, I treasure the moments when I get to know someone a bit better in the details of a conversation, even if it is a brief conversation with a stranger. I know that I will never experience many situations in life that other people might have but knowing and interacting with people will make for better character building in writing. I always thought that psychologists could be good developers of characters if not writers because they have access to a range of human emotions and behavior.
Knowing the details or a bit more of the sum of someone’s life allows me to be less judgmental of others and more sympathetic. Think about the sum of your life up until now, how has it influenced the development of your character/personality? If you are “here-now” and are able to go back in time to answer this question honestly, consider yourself blessed.
The topic of survival is one that I have included in my novels. It is interesting to see how survival can bring out the best or worst in people. It separates heroes from the not so good characters. So is in real life, although I believe that there is redemption for everyone. When a person is in survival mode, it forces the individual to act one way or the other; it brings about the truth of that person. In other words, you cannot fake it when you are in survival mode. It forces you to be what you already are. It shows a person’s true colors.
I will venture to say that in today’s USA, many people are in survival mode, probably more people than we realize. Younger generations are having a tough time keeping up with a very high and unrealistic cost of living and many people are working two plus jobs and hardly making it. Young couples simply cannot afford giving birth because hospital care is simply unaffordable. Food prices, daycare costs, and rent or home prices are truly out of reach for most of the younger generation. It is simple very different from what it was for other generations. In simple words, this generation is being hit from all angles. Most politicians fail to see the struggle, or they are simply not in touch with reality out there. People are struggling to keep a roof over their head and put food on the table, even the most frugal people. Most of Americans are in survival mode. Many people are truly doing all they can, working all they can, and cutting costs as much as they can, and they are still not making it. The disparage and disproportion between wages, education, and labor is ridiculous. The middle class is slowly disappearing in this country. It is easy to put a blindfold and label a generation of being lazy without considering all factors and influences at play.
I have always been an observer by nature. How many times have I witnessed someone at the supermarket leave just a few groceries because the card did not take? How many times have I heard a mother tell her child, “Sorry honey, we don’t have enough for “this” today;” “this” being a food item, not a toy? How many times have I witnessed someone staring blank at the insane prices in the meat isle at the supermarket, a hopeless stare followed by bypassing the product section, or even putting groceries back? I can tell you more examples, from couples quietly arguing about food, to older people with less than five items in the food cart, oh, so much more. Food is a basic need, and people can’t even eat in what we call the richest country in the world. Many people are in denial, but that is just a coping mechanism when you are or are about to be in survival mode.
If you have ever been in survival mode and have come through, you know well that there is a lesson to be learned from all of it, and most likely, you recognize that lesson. Most likely, you come out with a sense of gratefulness, stronger, and wiser. Most likely, you have learned about yourself, your true self, and the things that are not to be taken for granted anymore. Most likely, there is a sense of renewal and hope, of clarity and inner peace, and a healthy dose of pride after surviving the event. Having experienced survival mode at one time in my life, I can say that faith is an important component to make it through, that is, faith in yourself, and faith in a higher power. Don’t forget to count your blessings because they are many, in any circumstance.
I have seen a lot of confusion, misinformation, and misinterpretation around what people believe Jesus was like. This is in part because these days and for a long time, Christianity has been corrupted, and by that, I mean that Jesus’ core message has been manipulated and corrupted in many ways, and by many so-called Christian leaders. I am a Christian and you might think I am biased, but on the contrary, I approach my faith with an open mind and what I believe does not come from a preacher’s mouth; instead, I focus on the Jesus persona, what He was like, his teachings, and how He lived his life during the time He was on Earth. I also look at the resurrection and what He was like after that event. In other words, I have studied and still do, His life and words that are recounted on the first four books of the New Testament on the traditional bible. These books are Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books give detail on Jesus’ life, each written from a unique perspective.
When reading these four books, I can see how Jesus interacted with all kinds of people, and the different situations He encountered and how He lived through them, in other words, His example. One thing I have found is that He operated in love all the time, as well as kindness. He was not judgmental when a sinner approached Him, on the contrary, He was kind and understanding. Jesus always said the right thing. He did not boast his money, and He had it; remember the gifts from the three kings? These were some of the most expensive gifts back then, and I imagine these kings did not present whom they thought was the savior/king with just a few items of gold … more like a big load. Most people think He was poor, the image we have been sold. So instead of acting like an inflated baboon, Jesus humbled himself and saw everyone as a person worth relating to and knowing. He interacted with prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors (who were truly despised back then), the very sick, the lepers whom everybody avoided, the backstabbers, the adulterers, the money lovers, the quick in temper … and so on.
These four books are filled with all kinds of situations that people might encounter in their lives at any time and place in history. How Jesus navigated these situations is the best example of Christianity, and that is how Christianity came to be, out of His message to all. Today, and throughout history, we have seen examples of so-called Christians who act in the name of Christianity, and their actions are the opposite of what Jesus was and taught. I truly understand when people want to stay away from Christianity. It is because what they perceive, as the message of Jesus has been corrupted, diluted, manipulated by many religious groups that operate in hate, judgement and a “small mind,” thus completely out of love.
There is a very popular saying -WWJD- What would Jesus do? This simple question brings us back to the core of Jesus’ message. The only way to know what this message truly was is to study His life, how He lived and what He said. That is true Christianity, the real Jesus.
“Enjoy a plate of homemade cookies from time to time.” Photo by M.A.D.
Rainy days make good thoughts. Sometimes, I go back in time and observe the younger version of me, through my memories. I can truly detach and see her with kinder eyes, every step, dreams, goals … through good times, not so good times, and even scary times. In times of wisdom, confusion, loss, fear, naiveté, and even doubt, of happiness and growth … In moments of pure bliss and in times of desperation but always striving for more. Then I think, if I could only go back and tell her; hence, the title of this blogpost. Although there is much more that I would tell her, here are ten things (me-truths) I would definitely tell her (in no particular chronological order).
You are never too little or too much; God made you with value for Him.
Life is not a race against time; it is a celebration of time, slow down a bit.
What you truly think of yourself is more important than what other people think of you; really, it is.
It is perfectly ok not to achieve the ideal of perfection because it is a lie.
Most so-called experts make it up as they go.
One day, you too will be old, in the blink of an eye.
Life would be much more pleasant if we would live in that way. This is a lesson I learned later in life. In my younger years, multitasking and the idea of a “superwoman” who thrived on a crammed schedule and did everything to perfection was idealized. Many of us, gender aside, followed that way of living in our everyday interaction. I remember feeling “guilty” if I had “free time” to myself and even worrying that I were to become lazy if I indulged on even an hour of “unproductive” being. The years passed by, and I had become entrapped in one of the biggest lies Society sold me. When I think about it, that way of life was very materialistic in essence, even when I never saw myself as a materialistic person, on the contrary.
Today, I repeated this question, what is truly important to me? Throughout the years, the answer has been narrowed to include the issues at the core of my true values and loves. Today, I finally understand the meaning of living one day at a time, one step at a time, and from that realization, a sense of peace within that recognizes that life is not a race, and I don’t need trophies or crowns to validate my existence; God has already done so when He made me. It is beautiful to achieve dreams and to celebrate our achievements and of others as well, but not at the expense of living. The mere existence of achieving without the joy and beauty of living is contraindicating. Maybe Hans Christian Anderson understood this well.
“Just living is not enough, said the butterfly, one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”Hans Christian Anderson
As a Christian I believe that my strength comes from Jesus; however, I also believe that every interaction and decision we make is an exchange of power and energy (physical, mental, psychological …) whether we realize it or not. The other day, I saw on the news frantic people buying eggs in large quantities. Those people were in a panic; it reflected on their faces. I thought, here we go again. A woman had an entire shopping cart full of cartons of eggs only. I thought, how many eggs can you eat? Today, I heard what a huge egg problem we have, and people are stealing eggs left and right. I thought, long gone are the days of stealing diamonds, now we steal eggs. The news report showed empty shelves, and people coming out the store carrying several large cartons of eggs, hurrying to their vehicles, some of them reflecting their satisfaction on their faces – the “great egg hunt.” These were not nuggets of gold, just eggs.
Don’t let the fearmongers take your power away; don’t let them dictate your next step and hold on to your power. You have power to decide, the power of choice. Would you die if you don’t eat eggs for a while? Of course not. There are other choices for breakfast or recipes. Unless you own a restaurant that specializes in omelets, then there is no need to buy a full shopping cart of eggs. Now, I hear, there is an egg limit imposed. If you are not happy with the price of eggs because they are insanely expensive, then make the decision, don’t include them in your budget and your shopping list for now. Eventually, this all shall pass, and you will be able to enjoy eggs at a reasonable price once more.
Sometimes, we let fear dictate our next step/behavior (any type of fear, even fear of missing out on something). With any decision/interaction you make, you exchange power (your power) for something else. Don’t let fearmongers dictate how you exert your power. Sometimes, the bait is so subtle that we don’t realize we are being pressured into an “unfair power transaction.” Next time you feel the need to run and buy eggs or –fill the blank– because there is not enough to go around for everyone, STOP, take a deep breath, and assess the transaction you are about to step into, and ask yourself, “Am I giving my God-given power away to fear?
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Today, I found myself wishing that Spring was here already. Autumn and Winter used to be my favorite seasons when I lived in New Jersey. For a reason that truly eludes me, Spring and Summer have become my favorite seasons here in Virginia. Sometimes, we find ourselves thinking or wishing for the next “season” in life instead of living and being present in the season we are in. I truly believe that each season in life has something to teach us, whether that season is challenging or one of many blessings.
Many times, we rush through life unaware of our present season instead of living our best time in it. We are always thinking of a future season that may or may not materialize because none of us is guaranteed another day or even another second. We go through life making plans, worrying about the future, and ignoring all the good that the season we are in brings with it. We say things like, “time is money,” or “time is of the essence;” however, in trying to capture time, at the same time, we are letting it go. Call it the pursuit of happiness or the pursuit of wealth, or any other thing that we might spend our entire life going after, when we look back, it is all that – a pursuit through time, always wishing for another season.
“To every thing, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
It is with a heavy heart that I write today. My thoughts and prayers have revolved around the issue that is pressing on the heart of the residents of Chatham and Pittsylvania County, VA. It took us by surprise, concealed by a non-disclosure clause on a real estate transaction, the sale of 2200 acres of agricultural land that surrounds our small community. The proposed rezoning of the land from residential and agricultural to heavy Industrial hit our hearts, minds, and souls as a venomous spear at high speed. The company called Balico LLC wants to build a monstrosity of a project that will have severe repercussions in our little farming community. Here is a picture of a flier that shows you the immensity of this project, a heresy, an abomination in my honest opinion. The area in red that surrounds all tax parcels in our community is where an enormous gas-powered power plant (300 mw site) that will be powered directly by the Mountain Valley Pipeline that crosses our area will exist. Besides the 3.5 GW power plant, the project also proposes a switchyard, a wastewater treatment facility, and a substation (in 13 acres reserved for those), but also 84 large data centers (numbers keep changing between 70-84 depending on the news source, whether70 or 84, it is one too many) that will each one measure 394,000 sf by 40 feet tall approximately. This will all be built around our community, some residents having it next door, while others, like me, will be smacked right in the center of it, surrounded by it on all sides. Mitsubishi turbines will be used according to the developer. I think the power plant will also include 9 gigantic towers that will expel smoke into the air. As you can see in the map, hell is colored in red. The developer thinks that this project will benefit the community and provide many jobs, which I doubt because it will mostly be run by computers. The construction of this monstrosity will take around 10 years or so of disruption to this community, the pain before the pain.
Proposed site for gas-powered power plant and data centers.
By now, you realize how threatened our way of life is, and around here, we like our way of life very much. Many of us moved here for the beauty of the area, the fresh air, and all the blessings the land offers. Many residents have lived here all their lives and have no desire to move anywhere else, while others who have moved away at some point, have returned home. Our home is being threatened by the greed of heartless companies and overseas investors who try to sell benefits and financial prosperity to peaceful communities like ours, all lies, and deceit covered in the stench coming out of their deep pockets. Large numbers of residents continue to oppose this abomination, making their voices and sentiment in various meetings and posting signs in their homes and roads. For now, the developer pulled out the project, only to send another proposal right away.
Sign posted on our road.
Signs like these “adorn” our community now.
This proposed project will affect our community in many ways. The destruction of our land, the pollution of our fresh air and water. Our water and soil will be disturbed and polluted. Two main creeks are in the path of this project. We depend on our water wells. The dependance on public water will hurt the pockets of many residents on a fixed income, certainly another bill that they don’t need. The natural beauty of our countryside will be destroyed. Our real estate values will plummet. Our flora and fauna will be displaced and threatened (so much for Chatham being a bona fide bird sanctuary). There will be sound pollution, for what I understand by the research of our community residents, equivalent to the decibels of a constant running vacuum cleaner. Imagine having that 24/7 in your ears. Our dark skies adorned by stars will be hidden by the light pollution emanating from such a large site. Our farming land will be slowly poisoned. Our health will suffer. Our community will suffer, because no one in their right mind will want to come and live here or even visit the poison pit that Chatham will become (so much for the plans of our town’s revitalization project). And at worst, the imminent threat of eminent domain. Only time will tell the price that we will pay by welcoming this in our town. The losses will certainly be greater than the “benefits.” This project is suitable for another area that is not as rural/farmed, and residential as this one. It truly doesn’t belong here. It hurts more than it benefits a community of people who deeply love their home and country. All over the United States, our farmers are being disrespected by companies/investors who only care about the health of their bank accounts. Next time you are sitting to have dinner at home, think how important these farmers are. Whoever controls the land, controls your food, and by default, your livelihood, and ultimately, your freedom. These data centers are popping everywhere, with disregard of suitability of location, and that is the important issue.
It is the little things that make life sweet. If we only waited for the big things, the big successes, the big surprises, or the extraordinary things to be present, living would not be as sweet and meaningful. The little things that we sometimes fail to notice or take for granted, usually in the pursuit of something bigger, are the ones that take our breath away when we are present enough in living to notice them. An unexpected bloom in winter, the sunray illuminating the face of a child, the play of light and shadow in the woods at dusk … these are countless, unlimited moments that sweeten one’s day, when we care to notice. A big achievement brings joy, and a sense of pride and satisfaction, but it is the little things that remain after the big moment has passed. It is these little things and moments in life what refreshes a weary soul, sweetens a hectic day, and appease a restless spirit.
Although this post pertains to people in the United States of America, some of its content might be applied broadly. On November the 5th the voice of many Americans will be heard as they cast their votes. Some of us have voted earlier and anxiously await the moment when our next president is elected. On this topic, and many more, there is great division in this country of ours (key word, ours). “Ours” because no matter who wins or not, we are one people, and most of us truly love this country. The day we stop loving it, we will stop casting our collective vote. This is the topic for today.
Many Americans will not vote on this election for many reasons, but one that I have heard is that they don’t like any of the candidates. Although some people vote for a party, many others desire a “perfect match” between party and candidate, a tall order in this election. There are no perfect candidates; there are no perfect people, just candidates, just people. Both candidates are flawed, both have good characteristics as well. We cannot expect them to “save” us, but the one thing we can do is cast our vote for the candidate that aligns with our values the closest, whatever those values happen to be. We are created with free will by the Creator of it all, the One who loves all His creation.
When in doubt, if hesitant, make a list of the major points/issues that each of the candidates have on their agenda for the country. Vote on the issues that are important to you and the ones that align with your beliefs/values. Focus on the issues, not so much the candidate. Whoever our president might be, he or she will not be perfect, far from it; however, you would have served your country by casting your vote of truth. Vote for love of country.
Inkspeare 