For the town in Michigan known as Belding, saving time is critical for their self image.  You see, Belding, Michigan got its very name by honoring the Belding family; they built a business with their silk mills and thereby, provided a way of life for those who chose to live along the banks of the river.  These days, there is not much use for the structures except for its very image; which many use in their letterheads or in their desire for buying or selling collectibles.  This historic structure needs some upkeep done soon to preserve not only it’s history; but, to carry it into the next generation.

Many people are unaware that Electrolux recently repurchased the existing buildings with the intention of tearing down the remaining silk mill buildings, as well as the clock tower.  This is heartbreaking for those past and present residents of Belding.  Removing the buildings would not only change the face of the small town; but, it would create a hole in the patchwork of historical buildings of the area and diminish the importance of the contribution that the Belding brothers brought to the area.  The brothers created a rich legacy through their silk mill operation and through their contributions to the town known as Belding today.

How does one go about determining the value of preserving history and its impact on the future?  I mean, think about it…everyone values these things differently.  However, when there is a rising up of a collective outcry from not only residents of the community but those in surrounding areas; one would think that some kind of effort could be made by a corporation as large and industrious as Electrolux.  They are a corporation that prides itself on sustainability.

My online dictionary says this about sustainability:

I can tell you, after driving a goodly amount around the upper mid-western
part of the state, that we hit the jackpot with all of it’s bells and whistles
this weekend.  Another week, and the wind and rain will pretty much wipe away
the coloration of the trees and shrubs, like a toy etch a sketch shaken by a
toddler’s excitable hand.

However, back to the description of the scenery.  Everywhere we went there
was color…except for one patch of roadway where the predominant trees were
oak trees…and as everyone knows, those trees are pretty much brown paper bag
in color at this time of the year.  Not that there is anything wrong with brown
paper bag color…except when you are excitedly looking for splashes of red,
gold, peach, burgundy and shades of various greens.  It can be a might
disappointing to only view brown while looking for a tapestry of color.

Having faith that there was more to see; we continued on.  It wasn’t long
before we some some almost indescribable oranges that looked as though they were
patently lit from some spiritual realm.  There were trees that went from apricot
to tangerine, to pumpkin orange, to a peachy yellow.  This would be wonderous enough,
except that some of those  oranges were then tipped with the paint of a
brush that had been dipped into a bucket of rust colored paint.  This made for
visual images hard to forget.  How did they compare then to the other colors we
saw before us?

Ahhh, let’s see if I can do justice to the yellows that were interwoven
throughout the picturesque landscape.  I have to say that there were ribbons of
yellow dividing the riotous reds, greens, browns and oranges.

I like the interesting shades of yellow…because they are often blended
with different colors along with the yellows…and yet, the yellows are not to be
outdone.  The vibrant yellows can stand alone or they can go toe to toe with the
greens and oranges that hold hands often on the same leaf.  The lemonony yellows
look so crisp when the green veins divide and separate the sections.  It adds
highlights to the soft buttery yellows that evolve into a melon color peach as the
apricot and yellow mix on those viney ropes that climb into the trees tinged with
a burgundy leaf here and there.  The sassafras puts on a magnificient display as
well, low to the ground, underneath these trees along the roadways.

Add into this mix, the dark evergreen trees that look so solid that you
would never guess that that dark green is their everyday apparel because it looks
so beautiful up next to all of these splashy colors.  If one didn’t have the dark
green to provide a backdrop to their festive fall colors it would look like chaos.

Now, the dark evergreen trees aren’t the only greens to appreciate.  I like
the lemon-lime colors that touch some of the maple trees.  It adds freshness to the
scene.  Then there is the green grass green that otherwise would appear as non-
descript.  Then the occasional silver maple with it’s grey-green leaves with it’s
silver fluttery leaves reminds us that green can take various forms.

Sometimes, the leaves aren’t the only thing of interest.  I like the
surprising, and attention seeking white bark of the birch trees.  Then the dappled
dull silver of the popular tree.  Then knotty brown of the pine tree with their
leggy stance seem to stand guard over the whole picture.

The browns seem to mix in with their cocoa color, and their leathery brown
leaves, as well as their crispy rusty brown oak leaves. I have even seen the off
center browns that were tinged with a brandy colored brown that always amaze me
with their own beauty.

It is hard to find a shade of red that is unlikeable.  We saw everything
within the window of red shades.  There was a candy apple red, a cherry red,
burgundy, rust red, barn red, reddish pink blush into a plain old reddish- brown. Is
it not amazing to view all of this and not be reminded of the artistry of God when
it is put together with all of his other creations?

We sat under a cornflower blue sky, with white puffy clouds that were chasing
each other across the sky.  This was broken only by one brief downpour in an otherwise
clear day.  While we sat alongside the river, watching the salmon swim up the fish
ladder in their last valiant attempt at displaying their strength in the current before they gave their lives to bring in a new
generation of fish to replenish the earth; my friend next to me said…”there is only
one thing missing; an eagle”.  Can I tell you that it was just minutes later when a
beautiful eagle flew over the tops of the trees and with it’s white head impressed us
all, with the contrast of it’s body against the clear blue sky and the power with which it flew.

It was a great way to celebrate the beauty of the world in which God gave us
to live and breathe.  It is important to get out in nature and relax…observe the cycle of life!

I blog the same way that I cook.   If I begin my cooking using someone else’s recipe…I can’t help but tweak it a little.  You know, a little of this and a little of that.  Spice it up and toss in a few ingredients that normally, one wouldn’t think would go along with that kind of a dish.  Well, it is going to be absolutely no different here with this blog challenge.  Sorry, Karin…I just never was one to color strictly between the lines.  So, here goes…

I am thinking…I write because it is what I do.  If I were to “talk” the way I blog…my rambling, over the top, shout it out thought process about whatever moves me, on any given day; it would drive everyone out of my life-except the random, unsuspecting person who stumbled along my path that day.  See, if I start on a subject, I have to examine it closely.  If it’s something that I am passionate about it could, and often does, get lengthy; and let’s face it, I am passionate about everything I write…otherwise, why bother?

And as far as 10 reasons why you should read my blog…well, I am just not sure you should.  See, #10. I have things to say and my family gets tired of trying to invent ways to escape the room when I am trying to move them to my point of view-really, you are doing them a service by reading the blog;   #9.  I am TV free and the issues I blog about are often news items that other people get to view nightly on TV and they often accept that subject as fact-on my blog…we discuss what ifs and what you think about that kind of subject;   #8.  I give you an opportunity to express your opinions on things from relationship issues, to health concerns, to spiritual matters, as well as subjects you may have never even considered before;   #7.   I am all about family, friends and heart matters-some people have a hard time with all of that deep thinking on touchy feely matters;  #6.   I have a lot of curiosity about the world and I am not afraid to indulge myself;   #5.   I find that blogging is a way for me to explore my deep need to understand myself and the minds of other people-Just so you know…in real life…people get weirded out when you push them to think deep and “talk” about it; as my profile on Twitter says, I am addicted to interesting people, places, and subjects and I blog about it all;   #4.   I need feedback and blogging is the best place in the world to get it without getting “stuck” in an uncomfortable conversation with someone if they get a little too intense on a subject;   #3.   I am very entertaining most days and even when I get serious about something…I try to be very sensitive to the reader because I never know who will be reading the blog and how it will affect them;   #2.   My blog has been known to create relationships – I found this especially rewarding on subjects such as triple negative cancer patients who were trying to connect with others with information that impacted their lives;   The  #1.   reason you should read my blog is because I think there are too many places in this world that focus on the negative aspects of life and really…life is too short to be focused on negativity…we need to encourage one another and find joy where we can.

As for the twist on the recipe part of the blog…here are a few added ingredients…I was distracted much of this summer from my blogging.   I need to feel moved to write; that is just how I was created.   However, consistency is a main ingredient for any blogging success.  My last post was August 16^th and today is September 7th.   I have needed a shot in the arm to get the creative juices flowing…and since it is the back to school season…immunizations are a big thing right now.  I want to thank Karin for giving me my booster shot.

My twist on this challenge is that I should have turned in a list of 10 reasons why I DIDN’T write more this summer…but really, those reasons would just turn out to be excuses with some mundane explanations thrown in the kitchen soup.  The truth of the matter is… that I was very busy living my life and enjoying it immensely.  I make no apologies for that.  I have gained some wisdom over the years and one of the most important things I have learned is that if you don’t take the time to enjoy life and merely become an observer (which in my mind is what I do on my blog…observe, document, inspect, and regurgitate for the reader) then you find yourself with many regrets at the end of your life.  I want no regrets.  Life is precious…I am greedy…I want to see, do, hear, witness and participate in all that I can, so that I can feel peaceful about how I spend the days of my life.  Thanks for being a part of it all!

Allegedly there are even more sound bites from these audio recordings that have equally disturbing comments from Mel Gibson. In the past, he has been accused by some as having made disturbing comments about Jews when he was arrested.  It was said in reference to those statements, that he was under the influence.  Others would argue that what is in the heart bubbles to the surface when that person’s inhibitions are loosened up from drugs/alcohol.

This past year has seen Mr. Gibson separate from his wife of 30 years, Robyn only to publically engage in his relationship with Ms. Oksana Grigorieva.   They had a female child, Lucia, together and it is alleged by Oksana that Mel Gibson physically assaulted her by hitting her in the face, while she was holding their daughter, causing physical harm to Oksana; as well as threatening to burn down her residence. 

 Mel is now being investigated for domestic violence by law enforcement.  A tallent agency has stopped representing him in the last week as well after Mel supposedly made disparaging remarks about hispanics whom he allegedly called “wetbacks”.  His personal reputation is going through some rapid changes.   He has been a successful actor in the box office for years earning kudos from the entertainment world and from fans alike. 

These audio tapes, if proven to be his voice, are not going to help Mel Gibson dispell the impression that he is guilty of domestic violence when the tone of voice, that is alleged to be him, states the Oksana looks like a whore, has fake breasts and that she dresses in a provocative way; the male voice goes on to say that if she is attacked and raped by a pack of (N-word insulting name for African Americans) then she DESERVES that. 

No-one deserves to be raped EVER by ANYONE; and I think, if he did make those statesment that it will be hard to regain any semblance of respect from people who believe as I do that it is wrong to say such things as well as to believe it.   Also, the voice on the tape seems to dismiss Oksana by saying things such as I do not trust you, I don’t love you and I don’t want you; these are meant to tear down and diminish the context of their relationship.  It was a relationship that would not be condoned by the church because it was outside of a marriage situation; still, he chose to indulge in a relationship with her so to talk in such a way about her is insulting on many levels.   Whoa, talk about offensive!

I mean, obviously she was a good enough woman to have sex with; as evidenced by the birth of their child.  He was attracted to her enough for that.   He stepped outside of his marriage to have the relationship with Oksana.   Yet, in the same vein, she is a whore; beneath contempt evidenced by his alleged words.   These are the mixed up thoughts of a man who has not come to the understanding of the wholeness of an intimate relationship.  I mean, you can’t have sex with a person outside of marriage and condem them without also condeming yourself.  If she is a whore…then what makes him any different than her?  Is this self hate that he is directing at her because he can’t sort it out in his own head?  You have to wonder if his relationship with Oksana is the only illicit relationship that he has indulged in; maybe guilt is eating him alive.

How do you go from being in a marriage of over 30 years; to starting a new relationship with a woman who is not your wife, while still married and with whom you create a child; and then espouse your intense dislike and disrespect for that same person in such a way as to try to demean them as a person and as a woman.   Inflicting alleged verbal, emotional and physical abuse upon them for the very acts that you willingly engaged in; when you yourself are a willing participant in the relationship, is a difficult concept for people to understand.  If one is at fault, then both is at fault in the eyes of God, unless it is a forced sexual contact.

Emotions are very convoluted…mixed up with lust, anger, resentment, sadness and loathing not to mention guilt and embarassment.   The conscious is a complicated thing; when people go against their own moral or religious values to give in to sin or temptation…the spirit rebels.  Words and actions start to conflict with one another and it causes breakdowns in interpersonal relationships.   The conscious is inside each of us to keep us from wrongdoing…it is a tool.  When we disregard the very core of our beings and choose to step outside of what we believe is right/wrong we end up punishing ourselves and others in ways that we don’t understand.

This is one loaded audio recording: if indeed Mr. Gibson said, let alone thought any of these things.   Then, it is indicative of a man eaten alive by a corrosive hate for not only those who are different from him by race or by being born female, as well.  Let’s remember, Oksana is the MOTHER of his child as much as Robyn is; although Robyn had every moral and legal right as his wife to have the fullness of marriage by having intimate relations with him and giving birth to his children.   Eventually Mel and Oksana’s young daughter Lucia will grow up and read of his rantings and judgements.   On the other side of things, Mel already has children, from his marriage, old enough to read and understand his words and deeds.   These kinds of words and actions are destructive to family relationships.   What must Robyn or his adult children think of his behavior…his thoughts, his words and his mindset?   Mel is still their father but they too must be trying to sort out this confusing circumstances.

Mel appears to be a man of conflicting images.  He is on one hand professionally praised by other actors and actresses and co-workers.  But, don’t you have to wonder how they feel, hearing of his feelings about women, race relations and appearances?  He was known for years as a family man to the public.   He was known for his Catholic beliefs.   He was a benefactor for children and agencies that helped them.  Yet, in the last few years he has had issues that have festered to the surface in public and in private.  Who is the real Mel Gibson?

It is just my observation but, Mel comes across to me as a man who is embroiled in inner conflicts that he does not know how to resolve.  A husband, father, family man/a man who was allegedly involved in a romantic relationship outside of his marriage vows, a good Catholic/yet a man who openly hates Jews (Jesus was a Jew), An actor and director who works with women in the entertainment industry who often dress provocatively for movie roles and for publicity; and, people of all skin colors and various religious beliefs, both behind the scenes and in film roles on the screen. 

People who are tormented with hatred of others, simply because of their own intolerence for people who are different from them, are the most miserable people.  Their intense dislike of others is caustic and hard to rally support for except from like-minded people who are also filled with judgement and hatred.  Usually there is also a large supply of self- hatred underneath it all which is masked by self-medicating behavior with drugs, alcohol, cutting or self maiming physical behavior, suicidal thoughts or actions, or promiscuity; all of which are self destructive.  

What is needed is a healing of the physical, emotional and spiritual person.  Someone who fills up on hate or self destructive behaviors is someone who is trying to fill up empty spots or voids in their lives.  They don’t know how to heal and often will need professional help; such as legal intervention, sometimes medical help such as medication, psychological evaluations and treatment, and spiritual guidance which focuses on positive guidelines for building up an attitude of love, encouragement and peace.  Someone who has been indoctrinated since childhood with hate may require long term intervention before they are able to accept not only themselves but others on an equal footing or at least in an unconfrontational way of life.

A person’s legacy is a very important thing.  It doesn’t matter if you are a celebrity or not;  we alone determine the kind of legacy that we leave this earth with; by our thoughts, our actions, and by the way we make others feel.    We live such a short time on this earth so why spend it in turmoil, unhappiness, anger and violence.  Life is so much more rewarding when people find ways to live in peace, harmony, and love.  If you or someone you know is imploding from hatred in their heart and mind…please find help before you destroy yourself or others.

        I think everyone has those kinds of days once in a while.  Wake up and stub your toe right off the bat, or go to make breakfast and everything you reach for to make is either lacking an ingredient or doesn’t turn out.  Gotta go somewhere….well, you probably should have gotten gas last night; because, now that your vehicle is running on empty, they have raised the price of gas by 23 cents a gallon…and guess what?  You need a lot of gallons to get where you are going.  What in the world?  Did they declare it pick on you day and no one gave ya a heads up?

         Have you maybe tried to do something nice for someone and had it misunderstood?  Been accused of misdeed, or wrong doing, and you have just been minding your own business, doing what is supposed to be done?  Had your motives questioned?  Annoyed someone simply by breathing the same air as them; or, have a separate opinion on a particular subject?   Really, I mean come on people…have you thought that you, and another person such as a co-worker, were on the same page about something, only to find out that you couldn’t be more wrong?  Ayi Yi Yi!

         Did you let someone down accidently, or shown up late to something really important?  Have you not been able to give enough to another person and their expectation of you was so high, that you felt bad not meeting their expectation? 

       Don’t even get me started with communication because you might just as well know right now,  that nothing you say to anyone, on this kind of day, will be understood the way that you meant it to be understood.  People will get mad at you, they will have hurt feelings, they will look at you like you are out of your mind and not making a lick of sense, when you try to communicate with them. 

        In fact, you may even have the misfortune of carrying on a conversation with a person or two and be talking about completely different subjects without realizing it until the conversation is nearly over!  That is, if you even connect with them on the phone in the first place; because, no matter how many times you try to contact that certain person…you continue to play phone tag and keep missing one another.   Grrrrr.

          Add up the miscommunications,  irresponsible moments, un-intended power struggles, the time delays, accidents, losses,  bad luck, negative emotions and upset people and you have to wonder; how can you move past a day like this?

       Wow…been there, done that, RECENTLY.  You want to know the really cool thing about one of those, can’t do anything right days?  Here it comes…are you ready for it?  Those days eventually have to end; because the truth of the matter is…there are only 24 hours in a day and you get a do -over tomorrow.   Ahhhh…that is the best news I have had heard all day.  How about you?  Tomorrow is a new day…make it a good one, eh?

       Recent weeks have seen green beans, green peppers, tomatoes, parsley, zucchini, peaches, blueberries, blackberries, pears, currants, raspberries, squash, and a slew of other items, come to maturity.   Tomorrow we will be picking apples to be turned into a variety of treats such as apple pies, and applesauce.   Yesterday, we picked 70 lbs of purple grapes.  I have washed, crushed, strained and canned grape juice and even canned some of the grapes into jelly.  The smell as the grapes heat throughly and are processed is amazing.  So much work though ….it is a bit frustrating to think about how fast this will disappear.  On the other hand, it is joyful to teach my children and watch them learn to appreciate all that goes into capturing the produce and knowing that it is something that they can do in the future for their families.

        I have to admit, it is both amusing and annoying to hear them react to the natural trespassers on the produce.  They didn’t like the bugs on the plants or hidden in the baskets of the items as they came into the house to get cleaned before being used.  I was reminded how spoiled American children are when it comes to understanding how food is planted, harvested and preserved for families across the nation.  Are all children this naive about how food ends up on their table?

       My son is probably the most involved in the process here at home.  He helped me plant the seeds, he has helped weed, fertilize, and rototill the garden and helped to harvest it as well as preserve it.  Out of all of my children…he will have the best practical knowledge of the gift of growing your own food and putting it on the table.  It is not only useful information…it may be a necessity someday!  I am thankful that I grew up in a home where we knew how to grow what we needed as a family and more importantly knew what to do with it when it was in season and ready to be preserved.  Do you freeze, can or dry any food items for your family?  When did you learn how it was done…who taught you?

         It is a little bit like the song my husband was taught as a child, “You can’t ride in my little red wagon, the backseat’s broke and the axel’s draggin, chug, chug, chug-a-luga-lug,Second verse, same as the first, a little bit louder and a whole lot worse, You can’t ride in my little red wagon, the backseat’s broke and the axel’s draggin, chug, chug, chug-a-luga-lug, Third verse same as the first, a little bit louder and a whole lot worse”…you get the idea!   Nothing changes…it just keeps on keeping on.   The sameness just takes on a life of it’s own.

          Or…the children’s song: 

         This is the song that never ends…it could go on and on my friend, some people starting singing it not knowing what to do, and they’ll continue singing it forever just because, This is the song that never ends…it could go on and on my friend, Some people starting singing it not knowing what to do, and they’ll continue singing it forever….just because…This is the song that NEVER ENDS…………..etc.

          Those examples might be catchy at first…exciting in fact when beginning but by the third time around…you get bored, you want to move on…and yet…you feel trapped into the rhythm of it all.   You can’t seem to get it out of your head.  It is the same in life…whatever you are doing seems great for a time…but, when you feel like moving on and nothing happens to break the rhythm…you feel trapped…you get bored and frustrated.   Nothing satisfys you anymore…everything feels like deja vu….been there before and done that.   Disappointments and broken dreams seem to pile up in the corner.   How do you break out of  these patterns?  How do you set the wheels of change into motion?  How do you restart the passion and the joy in your step…build excitement about what you are doing, where you are going, and how you are getting there during the process?

         I think you must start with some brainstorming.  Grab a piece of paper and your favorite writing utensil.  Open up your mind and your heart.  Start a Wish list or a List of Dreams…these are ideas without limits.  As soon as a negative thought pops into your head…squash it like a bug.  For example…if you have ever had a desire to be something like a window washer on a high rise building (but you immediately throw that idea out because you are afraid of heights…that right there is a negative thought…put the dream down in writing…a high rise window washer) …Whatever your dream or wish is…list it.   Maybe it is a desire to be a concert pianist (and you can’t even play chopsticks yet)…list the dream/or skill.   No matter how far fetched it may seem…no matter how problematic it could be to make it happen.  Put it on the list.

         Write down every desire you’ve ever had, or still have, for your life.  Then on another piece of paper, write all of the roles, jobs, responsibilities, or tasks that you would love to get rid of in your life.  Doesn’t matter whether you really think that you can get rid of those things or expectations…or how inconvienced someone else would be if you were to get rid of those particular items…Write it down.   Matter of a fact, write down whatever it is that you feel is holding you back from reaching out and grabbing those dream items from the starry heavens. 

           Next, put the two lists side- by- side.  Do you notice any connections?  Do you see any relatable ideas, themes or items?  Can you see any connections at all?  Is there patterns to the things that hold you back…do they all go back to one area of your life that brings you unhappiness, dissatifaction, anxiety, anger, resentment or fear? 

           Next you need to grab another sheet of paper and write down any kind of practical solutions that would resolve your inability to build upon your dreams or your wish list…laying a foundation for achieving your goals in those areas.  Find ways both big and small that will start removing the obstacles from your path to regaining joy in forward and productive movement again…to feeling excitement in getting out of bed and putting your hands, your heart and your mind to work on the things that make a difference in your life.   Can you hear a melody yet, feel the rhythm, or sense a tempo beginning to come together…when you hear the harmony…it all starts to sound beautiful again.  Maybe you want to sing along…sway to the music, grab ahold of the emotion of the music and enjoy it just because it makes you smile again.

         The biggest joy stealers in life are resentment and bitterness at giving up on your goals and dreams because you don’t feel like you have permission to have them in your life.  Give yourself permission.  You may just find out that the situations and the people in your life that you feel would not support you in your quest/journey could very well find your bravery, in the pursuit of happiness and joy, inspiring.  

          Finally, seek God’s guidance from the beginning to the end of your seeking.  Ask him to remove obstacles, clear your pathway…and hit you over the head about which direction you should go.  Sometimes, we don’t ask him the right questions about his plans for our lives; we are more concerned about our own wants and desires, than we are about fulfilling our assignments or purpose.  When we are the most frustrated about our lives it is when he is readying us for change.  He has allowed us to feel dissatisfied about where we are…so that we are motivated to go through the struggle in changing our circumstances.   When we are in alignment with his purpose for us we will achieve things more easily, they will practically reveal themselves to us in a way that seems almost magical or surreal.

         Think about it; when we are comfortable, content or accepting of our lot in life…what reason under the sun do we have to change our course?  There is none.  So he allows us to feel the discomfort, the prompting in our spirit for something more…something different…something challenging…so that we feel the need to make changes.  Look to his leading…listen with all of your mind, your heart and your soul.  Don’t just look for the answers you want to hear…listen to his answer, even if it seems farfetched.   He goes before us and clears the way when we are seeking his guidance.  Our human minds often see no sensible way to make things happen, but if it is his desire for us, he makes things happen in an awe inspiring way.  Your  true satisfaction could be right around the corner from where you are standing!

         If God gave us all of the answers to our questions immediately, and, answered them the way we wanted him to…we would be right back in the same boat that we find ourselves in, day in and day out.  We have to feel stimulated, challenged, excited about the future so that we are encouraged to move forward; sometimes against difficult situations.   So the next time you feel in limbo, out of sorts and boxed in…think about when you feel that way; what is happening at that time…what would you like to see happen in your life that would open doorways to your true purpose?   Now, is there something that you want or need changed in your life?  What are you going to chose to do about it?

      I can see how you were able to manuever and avoid some of those obstacles; and yet, from where I watch, I can see that there are places on this river where you will not be able to avoid the debris.  It is obvious that you will be slammed into the rocks in some places, there are deep waters up ahead; there are places where the water moves so fast that it tumbles over the waterfall with a suddeness that takes my breath away.  You took no precautions, will you survive the fall?

      It would have served no purpose to have shouted warnings to you, of the dangers up ahead, when you stepped into the smooth, calm waters on your entry into the river of life; for you would not have heeded the warning.  You could not see those dangers for yourself from where the journey began.  The joy of the water surrounded you with a false sense of security and peace. You looked so happy; enjoying the ride.   You thought you were in control of the journey.  Yet, who controls the will of the river?  No one has the power to control it except God who made the river.  The challenges were to come along the way.  They could not be avoided forever; it is the way of life for us all.   

         The frequent traveler who chooses the same path, over and over again, learns much and can be a guide; yet, by spending all of their time guiding others, the guide risks missing out on new life experiences of their own.  So we must understand that life has it’s hurts…and, if a person does not risk the occasional bump or bruise, they will miss much of the joy of the journey.  For it is in traveling the river of life where we gain knowledge, experience, and a connection to the world and those around us.   I decide to no longer just observe…I want to have an exciting adventure of my own.

       The waters may be deep, there could be rapids, there are rocks and debris for each one of us.  However, there is also an appreciation for the beauty of the scenery as we travel, the people that we meet and bond with, the thrill of the experience as we take in the challenge and the risks.  Living in fear paralyzes and prevents many from experiencing all that life has to offer.   Trusting in God, the Creator of the universe, is a lifelong learning lesson.  Really, when you think about it, what do you control?

        I need to fear less and risk more.   I am not in control of what happens in all areas of life.  You need to risk less and recognize that fear is a tool that can help prevent avoidable, foolish risks.  For you are not in control of all areas of life either.  By sharing and connecting with one another, understanding that ultimately God is the only one in control; we will take more from the river experiences and live more fully; appreciating the journey and the scenery along the way.  Life is short…let’s not waste any of it!

        To me, labeling has always had a negative connotation.  Labeling is the action by which someone or something is described…it is limiting.  Putting something in a box is not helpful for picking up fringe business in areas that COULD be related to the services that you provide.  Labeling does not provide opportunities for expanding what you do…it simply describes itemized ideas or services.

         Branding on the other hand is defining…or designating something as a go to source.  It is creating a process of authority in a certain area of expertise.  Yes, to a potential customer it also describes who you are or what you are about…but, by branding yourself/your business a certain way…you can create your own description (labeling of your brand) by choosing how you want to be known.  It is a very carefully constructed advertising association in the minds of your potential customers or targeted audience.  If done skillfully, when your customer or targeted audience is in need of services which you can supply…they do not think of others with the same skills or services…they think only of what you as a business or business owner can provide them…that is branding…and that is why it is so very valuable in today’s business world. 

         If you can brand your business as a go to source…when your customer is in need or want of something RELATED to your brand…it opens the possibilities of, what ifs.  Even if you can’t provide the what if…a good go to source will have in place a referral plan to other directions that their customers may need.  This only builds your credibility as the go to source…it builds your trustibility factor and your customer’s appreciation and loyalty; when they again need what you/your business can provide them.  That is how a brand is grown and strengthened.

         Here’s wishing you a BRAND YOU day!