How miserable I am
I feel like a fruit-picker
Who arrived here
After the harvest
There's nothing here at all
Nothing at all here
That could placate my hunger
The godly people are all gone
There's not one honest soul left alive
Here on the planet
We're all murderers and thieves
Setting traps here
For even our brothers.>>

-          Equally Skilled by Jon Foreman>>

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So this will be my last entry for a long long while I think.  Let's bring on the ramble:>>

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It has been a week of funerals in our house.   We have been stretching our largely unused prayer muscles to those in our family who have gone to meet the Lord.  The period that surround times of mourning are really quite incredible.  It is an awesome combination of intense sorrow, and celebration of what life is all about.>>

"Um, ok…so what is life all about?">>

I don't know for certain.  I do know however, that it is something to be celebrated.  When we pass away we all want to have lived a life that has meant something.   We want to be missed.  We want to be celebrated.>>

"Um, ok….so how does that happen?">>

I really don't know for certain.  I do know, however that a good way to lead a meaningful life is to embrace the invisible.>>

"Um, ok….so…what the hell are you talking about?">>

We live in a world that is surrounded by the invisible.  Anything that matters cannot be seen by our peepers.  Yes, we live our lives surrounded by material objects, but we are better served when we are not defined by them.  The strings of relationship we have between our family and friend's is hidden from sight…but these strings are the very essence of what being alive is all about.  Likewise, we cannot physically touch the love we have for our children, parents, or Basset Hound….but that does not mean that it is not real. I am starting to get the notion that the more invisible something is….the more real it is.  Aside from love think about all the positive things that really matter to us that we cannot see:>>

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Music>>

Laughter>>

Compassion>>

God>>

Hope>>

Peace>>

Faith>>

Memories>>

Community>>

Passion>>

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The list could go on…but let me for once keep this posting as brief as Adam Corolla's future on Dancing With The Stars.  This abbreviated list of words is all things that feed our soul, but we cannot see them.   They are the things that absolutely give our lives meaning.  I sometime become so wrapped up in material crap-o-la that I become a "thing first" person.  The things I usually want are the things that will not give my life meaning.  My earthly list is filled with things of momentary gratification, which typically leave me in a state of "wanting more".   I am never satisfied with the blessings in my life.  I look at other people and wonder "why don't I have what they have?" What a horrible way to live.  In about 300,730 ways I am spiritually bankrupt.  I have to say goodbye to that way of living.  I need to say goodbye to the "seen world" and embrace the "secret hidden world".>>

I will never understand why we as a society (with me leading the charge) put so much emphasis on collecting things.  Movies, CD's, Car's, Video Game Consoles, Wives, Bank Accounts, Summer Homes, etc….it does not matter….having enough is never enough for us.  We will always be thirsty for these things!  We all try to keep up with the Jones's.  I have yet met too many people who are absolutely content with the "things" in their lives.  People always want something better….no matter what they already have.  I am one of those people….much to my discredit.>>

"Um, Ok…Hippie boy.  So you are saying having stuff is bad?">>

I don't know.  I guess I am not saying that having stuff is bad.  I can't say that, because I will always like having things.  No matter whatever spiritual renovation I may undertake my cravings for owning "stuff" will always be a part of me.  I am saying however, it is important for us to put that physical stuff on the back burner, and to put the unseen stuff on the front one.  We should value relationships more than BMW's…and to put more value in a good old fashioned belly laugh than a Filet Mignon. >>

"Um, Ok.  Living entirely in the physical world is bad, and everything we cannot see is good. Right?">>

Well…I really don't know.  However, I know not ALL of the stuff that is unseen is good for us.>>

"Um, Ok.  I hate you like imitation crab.  You are wasting my time here".>>

Probably.  To be fair I did not ever say that all that is hidden is good.  I just said it "matters".  Things that matter can also unfortunately be horrible things.  Sometimes the hidden things can be the issues that hold us back…much more than the physical issues. I mean, we cannot see fear, anger, or depression... can we?  Those are the things that we need to concern ourselves with more than worrying about than our receding hairline.  I am sometimes more concerned with treating my runny nose than I am dealing with a growing sense of hopelessness in the world.  That is crazy!  The latter issue is so much more dangerous than the former…but out of sight..out of mind….right?>>

"Um, Ok.  Right?">>

Wrong.  The hidden bad stuff is the stuff that we must deal with first.  Why worry combating hair loss when we have inner pain that is causing us the most harm?  These veiled demons are the real problems in our lives….not our cracked skin.  Yet we would rather buy the lotion for our skin, then to deal with the hidden crap in our hearts closet.  It is just another example of how we choose to fixate on things our eyes can see and to ignore everything that we cannot.  >>

"Um, Ok…so what is the point of this?">>

What do you mean?  Haven't you been reading?>>

"Um….er…no.  I just skipped ahead to the end when I realized that this was going to be one of THOSE blogs.">>

Wow.>>

"Yeah, I know.  Awkward…huh?">>

The point is that we should keep one foot in the world that we cannot see.  We become so obsessed with physical appearance, cool gadgets, and American Idol that we forget to pay attention to the concealed things that bring us happiness or pain.  Become obsessed with the things that matter….like the cause of your inner joy, or even the cause for your inner sadness.>>

"Um, Ok.  So you apparently have issues.">>

Yep.  After paying respects to a man who lived his life with such a humbled greatness I have come to realize that I living in the shallow end of the pool.  I think the best respect one could pay to a person who has passed away is the desire to live more like they did.  I have begun to associate a life well lived with being rich, high in status, and be a seemingly perfect husband/parent/whatever I am.  While there is nothing wrong with any of that, I need to reevaluate.  I am a believer that life continues when I die….and when I and my poor soul move on I do not want my resume to be filled with crap that I have owned or people I have met.  I want it to be filled with moments of laughter, of inner peace, and of service.  >>

I am not writing this in hopes that I will impress anybody….as I am a fairly unimpressive chap.  I write this so someday far from now when I revisit these words I will be able to see if I accomplished what I wanted to.  I am going to start giving up my attachment to some of the extra crap that my day to day life has become so dependent on.  This includes such endeavors like MySpace, Facebook and the like.  I need to spend more time socially networking with myself so to speak.  After two years of bloggery it is time for me to shut up and listen to other people for a while.>>

"Good riddance Johnny Tango">>

Feel the sting!