You know what happens when something new enters your life? You try it on for size, see if it fits, test  your thoughts, dreams and values against the new things presence. You may pray about it.  I pray about new things releasing them to God and then listen to the quiet voice who speaks.    Sometimes that new thing becomes a permanent part of your life, and other times you discard it as an experiment gone bad.  It always seems wonderful when a new thing excites, inspires and motivates you.  But, in the final moment, you do make a choice. Is this who I am?  Is this who I want to be?

The black and white new things are easy.  The shades of gray make it much more difficult. So it goes sometimes new political campaigns, new relationships, new roles, new food, new TV shows, new music, new anything. Sometimes the new becomes a very real old thing that has a new skin and you are fooled into thinking it is a new and a better answer to your life challenges then the tried and true.  It is the rabbit speed overcoming the turtle's methodical continuous improvement. When the newness wears off, the plodding turtle succeeds when you see it is the same old nemesis from years before.   You may be tempted to tilt at a windmill or two but in reality, it is best to stay positive, welcome the challenge, develop some self discipline and maintain your integrity with faith that most people have honorable intentions.

I have been sick since Christmas. Sick and tired that is. Sick and tired because.... Wait a minute, that is pretty negative. Negativity feeds unreasonable comment and complaining. We all know how much fun it is to sit in a room, especially a waiting room, be it a doctors office, or car repair, or tax/accountant office when someone starts complaining to the room at large. Everyone gets embarrassed and quiet  Unless another complainer engages the conversation.  Then it spreads like a virus.  Whew.  Unfortunately our media is rampant with complaining, editorials, political attacks, he said, she said drama. We don't need more of that. So lets start again.

I had some challenges over the holidays which prevented me from functioning at my best. I did not get the time off from work because I did not put in for the vacation time early enough.  I usually spend the time between Christmas and New Year rejuvenating, meditating,  getting some exercise, visting friends and relatives.  This year I had to work.  What a pain.   I prayed for the strength to maintain my cool self, but on a few occasions I broke.  I got angry, I cried, I whined. What a mess. I need to make amends to all those who experienced my self pity and ridiculousness.  It was Christmas, the birth of the child Jesus, love and joy unto you.  But somehow I missed it. I completed a Novena last week and finally the veil has lifted.  I am beginning to feel myself again.  It is with a humble and contrite heart I say thank you to all my friends and relatives who noticed. Thank you for not mentioning my out of norm presentation or comments.  Most of all I thank God for staying with me.  PBTGA