against the dying if the light!

Today has been a sad, melancholy, blissful and exciting day for a few people I know. A dear, longtime friend of mine lost her father. I cannot begin to imagine the pain, suffering and feeling of loss that they are experiencing. Another friend has come to the realization that they are designed for a greater and more driven stature than their current position. For them I am excited and ecstatic at the possibility of someone staking their claim in this world. 

Both of these stories have impacted me in such a way, that I have realized two things in which we all deny daily. One is that our time, no matter how much we fight to prolong it, is ultimately running out. Secondly, that we should never settle for less than greatness. We all have a way of getting caught up in our day to day routines. However, what is your place in this world? Are you happy with your current state of affairs? What is the "unicorn" that keeps escaping your grasp? 

The elephant in the room, so to speak; is none other than Desire. Have you accomplished all you desire? I would hope that the majority of you look at life through the same slitted, determined and steadfast eyes as I. I look at the clock as these words fall onto this virtual page, and think. I, myself will not as Dylan Thomas says; go gentle into that good night. My prayers are that each of you, look deep into the chasms of your abysmal souls. Then determine where you want to stop on this ride. When you make that hat decision, do not be afraid to put in the work, blood, sweat and ultimately tears that propel us forward. To quote Thomas again, I want you to " Rage, Rage against the dying of the light".

Cleanliness is next to Godliness!

Cleanliness is next to Godliness! We have all heard this saying before. The correlation between these two acts, is two pronged. First, one could draw the following obvious relationship, whether religious or not. That the statement is referring to the purification or rebirth of a person who takes the moral high road as it were. The scripture refers several times to the baptism and washing away of sin, or the old person. Secondly, to this writer, there is a underlying reference that when most persons go in public to a place of worship or just amongst their peers, the generally attempt to impress. For me going to church is one of the times I am able to wear a suit or blazer and no one second guesses it. In my youth my father would always wear impeccable suits to church, and to me the entire process of getting ready as a man was a fascinating one. From the shaving process, the shining of shoes to the seemingly impossible feat of tying a necktie. Both of these ideals are rare at best in these modern times. Keep in mind this is not an attempt to force religion on anyone, just a statement that for me the two ideas of being a gentleman and church are married together inseparably.  In church the band was playing and  singing the following lyrics, from a Hillsong song. During this I couldn't help to think whether or not, our modern culture of men could use a baptism or rebirth of their collectively, lackadaisical presentation of themselves. A washing away of the old dirty jeans and wrinkled tee shirts. These lyrics represent the two pronged idea,  previously mentioned. 

"I see a generation

Rising up to take the place

With selfless faith, with selfless faith

I see a new revival

Starting as we pray and seek"

So again, will you join me in this revival, it doesn't matter to me which prong you choose as either one will ultimately better you. Whether it is cleaning up morally or just cleaning up your appearance.  Of this I am certain.