2020, The Year That Was

As I sit and type this blog,  I am reminded that today was the day I was supposed to head off to Europe. It was to be a three week get-a-way, destinations were Russia, Switzerland and Italy.   We were to explore three cities in Russia, take plenty of pictures, videos and walk the streets of the czars.  In Switzerland, we were renting a car, exploring the Swiss countryside, Eastern France and Northern Italy.  From Geneva, we were headed for Rome for 6 nights.  Mt Vesuvius, Pompeii, and the Italian countryside were on the agenda.  There was going to be plenty of selfies in the Swiss Alps, on the Italian coast line and in Murmansk, home of the Russian powered ice breakers.  What a trip, what a dream what a great time.

Our great trip however was dumped, like so many great plans, into the Dust Bin of History.  2020 The Year That Was, was struck by a “Virus”, this deadly Covid-19, a evil force that enveloped the globe.  It wrecked my beautiful trip, ambition to travel but thankfully we remained healthy.  My hit was monetary and very personal.  

I think back now on how promising 2020 started. New Years Day in New York, lunch at Trump Tower, a carriage ride in the park and beautiful memories made.  Then came the lock down, the world literally stopped and a “Virus” larger than Covid-19 crept over our planet.  In a matter of six months,  so many people died needlessly and many had businesses and future plans destroyed.  In a matter of these six months, our freedoms have eroded, our country is in mass chaos and now looking back with clearer vision, our society is on verge of destruction.  All of this is due to a “Virus” greater than we've seen in hundreds of years and has landed smack dab in the United States of America.

So I ask myself, what small part can I take to bring peace and prosperity back to our country, our world?  I've been called a bright light, a source of positive energy and a blessing to all.  So as I become this Bright Light Blessing, how do I use my talents and use this positive energy for that of good?  I'm putting the past behind me and will use this voice, these blogs to speak the truth as I see it and will become bolder with my beliefs.

So, following are the basic truths of life as I see it, a beginning to make changes to our country, the world:

ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL                                                                                    

As we are made in the image and likeness of God, our source, I am equal to the Starbucks barista, the trainer at the gym, the policeman on the street, the BLM protester and yes the ANTIFA rioter.  Let me repeat, we are all created equal, ALL LIVES MATTER, period!

ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH                                                                  Let me be clear, we have the right to free speech with one caveat,  that speech should be dignified, respectful, non threatening and without hate or malice. When we resort to threats we will not be taken seriously.  Pollyanna-like speech doesn't work either as half the population wouldn't understand and the other half will laugh.   Free speech is a right but can also be toxic, poison, hateful and frankly evil.  So as I stated, be dignified but courageous, be bold but not nasty, be unafraid but smart and be respectful not rude.

ACT LIKE A CIVILIZED HUMAN BEING                                                                              When we witness the looters on TV, the rioters burning down cities, what we see are thugs.  Don't act like a thug!  Thugs are not taken seriously, they are instantly discounted, disliked and destructive to themselves and others.  Imagine being an 18 year old, looting a store or burning a police car and you're caught on camera by some news station.  This likeness will stick like glue forever.  You've been branded and your life is effectively ruined.  Do not become a thug!

TURN OFF THE TV                                                                                                                            It's all biased one way or another anyway.  Learn to think for yourself, read, and study various philosophies, traditions and beliefs.  Read self-help by well researched authors (I can recommend a few) if that is your interest.  Most importantly, read your Bible and learn from it's time honored and trusted pages.  Start with the Psalms or better yet, start in Genesis 1:1 and Matthew 1:1 and read a chapter in both testaments daily.  Your soul will be cleansed, your mind opened and your worries and sadness will disappear.  

LEARN TO FORGIVE                                                                                                                

Jesus called us to forgive.   I truly believe so much of the anger, bitterness, hatred and evil is done by people who have not forgiven others and themselves. The most perfect prayer is the Lord's own prayer; "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."   So, I proclaim on this page I forgive!  I forgive the kid in school who called me ugly, the guy who cut me off on the highway, the person who stole my parking place and past friends who discarded me.  I forgive myself for allowing myself to be sucked into toxic feelings towards those people.  I forgive!  

GIVE THANKS                                                                                                                              When you open your eyes in the morning and take your first breath, give thanks to the creator for the opportunity to be alive one more day.  Give thanks to the one source, God and proclaim your thanks by breathing deep and exhale "Thank You."  You'll find by doing this first, before your feet hit the floor, you'll get a natural high, a huge boost to your attitude and self confidence. 

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE LOVE                                                                  

You are love, you can change the world with a smile, a kind word or a gentle touch. The Divine lives inside of all of us and you are reflection of that Divine. You are a "Christ Like" creature, be an example of this Divine love. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                     

So finally my friends, go in peace.  Remember, God is in control and know you are a bright light, positive energy and that blessing to all you meet.  And remember to forgive.  By writing these words, I truly forgive.