BEGINNING AND END

BEGINNING AND END

Do yourself a favor and increase your time outside over the next month exploring nature.

My good friend introduced me to a great historical fiction writer. The writer does extensive research. My learning and comprehension curves about certain periods of history have improved exponentially by reading her books. The author will often provide small seemingly insignificant details that end up being important, so I have learned not to skip lines. Her writing is suspenseful and dripping with innuendo so I will often draw wrong conclusions about the characters. With the first word of the first chapter, I know there will be a last chapter. I always finish the book (sometimes after stopping because it is too much) because I know I will finally understand the puzzling and confusing facts that I have read. Failure to finish is not an option for me.

I am convinced that people living vibrant rich lives recognize that Chapter one (birth) will end with Chapter #(Death). Full lives means there will be chapters that are puzzling, confusing, suspenseful, and overwhelming. They will experience anxiety and suspense so palpable that it can be sliced with a dull knife. Their character will be maligned, and they will malign others. Sunshine and joy will walk hand in hand with pain and sorrow. Whatever the situation they like, the characters in the book don’t get to quit. Why? They are not in control. The writer of the book is their source of life.

I am an optimist reader. I always hope for a happy ending and if not happy at least that all storylines will be resolved. Everybody and everything will be all right. Don’t leave me wondering.

The reason I asked the favor of you at the beginning has to do with everything being all right.

Nature has a magnificent way of helping us to understand the chapters of the book of life. Things prepare for dormancy in the fall, winter can convince you that all is dead, spring is a promise that you were wrong, and summer is the fulfillment that everything will be all right. Take time to relish and revel in the beauty of nature.

Whatever the chapter or season of your life currently, there are some certainties. Storylines will be resolved, and happy endings are always possible. To be alive and truly living is like being the character in a book, the author of all life is the source of your life. A well lived life has all the drama etc. of a well written book just read the Bible if you want proof. And the final chapter is the same for everyone – whether the ending is happy or otherwise depends almost entirely on you, your actions, and your attitude. You control those.

Psalm 36:9

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---“God gave us the gift of life; it is up to use to give ourselves the gift of living well.” Voltaire