Or if you prefer, a circus.

Daily writing prompt
Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?
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“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
― Bil Keane

He is the creator of “The Family Circus” cartoon, one of the first places I ventured, growin’ up, when the Sun-Times or Tribune was delivered on Franklin Street. Mr. Keane said that his name was spelled “Bil” because his parents knocked the “L” out of him for using the walls as his easel when he began to draw.

The past has its place. Back there. A resource like that spot in the library where the records of all the books, stories and reference material being stored was kept and maintained. While it has its function, living in the Dewey Decimal System is counter productive. Going back now and again to better understand how you got to be where you are now is a healthier way to employ the past.

Tomorrow is truly a mystery. All you can do to get an unkling as to what is to come the next morning, is to do all you can, to the best of your abilities before your noggin hits the pillow the night before. You could awake to calm waters, a steady tail wind and nothing but clear skies ahead. Or, you could face a tempest that will do its best to wring you out and question your own existence. Either way, you are meant to adapt and acheive. You just have to keep the short and Raybans next to the rain gear and boots.

Today is a present.

His gift to each of us. Opened at our discretion, used to the fullest we choose and then granted a decimal to keep the events in order for future reference. We are granted the grace to make the best of what we have been given. To create profound yesterdays and once in a life time tomorrows.

Or if you prefer, a circus.

Grace.

Daily writing prompt
What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
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“It all begins with grace, and it all ends with grace. Bernanos’ country priest summed up Christianity with the phrase “Toute est grace,” everything is grace. God gives graciously, gratuitously, superabundantly–and then we are called to respond with a similar exuberance. “

Bishop Robert Barron

Grace.

With that, comes true and absolute forgiveness. For what you did. Or, what you failed to do.

Redemption follows. An opportunity to repair yourself, remove your faults renew personal integrity and revitalize character with unyielding intention.

An awareness of sense of peace and serenity begins to envelope your being. You feel supported, protected, loved.

Something that may have once been rare or altogether missing in your life.

A feeling so comforting and safe that you want to share it. Help others experience a truly divine sensation. Give what you were freely given.

Grace.

Be a rainbow.

“Un-winged and naked, sorrow surrenders its crown to a throne called grace.”

And then….

“Dare to love yourself
as if you were a rainbow
with gold at both ends.”

Aberjhani 

Compelling thoughts from a man I just came to learn, worthy of a share and few words.

Sorrow rules the day for many. Regrets, rejections, repudiations and resentments. Each become a jewel that is added to that despicable crown meant only to disparage in a dominion governed by it. Sorrow.

But as you come to remove its dominion over you and your life, the ornaments of that authority corrode, fall away and as Aberjhani suggests, “surrenders its crown to a throne called grace.”

Once under that loving and eternal authority, you can truly dare to love oneself. To discover your true worth as one meant to be respected, affirmed, included and most of all, just plain loved.

Be like that rainbow you just happen to see when you look up in the sky. Think of the amazement and joy it brings you upon taking it all in. Honestly imagine yourself as being that very rainbow for those stuck in an overcast, cloudy, dismal existence. You will be that one offering gold on both ends.

One for those that happen to need it most that moment.

The other for you for finally seeing it in yourself too.

Take wing with grace.

Be a rainbow.

That just happens to be our play-time.

Daily writing prompt
Do you play in your daily life? What says “playtime” to you?
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To be honest, when I read this, I see it as “Daily Play Prompt”. Blessed to have come across it. Rather, happy that I tried it and found joy in doing so. Now I look forward to finding out what it will be the next day.

I am not much of a TV guy, other than some football games, old movies, cartoons and Stooges. Commercials are largely annoying for the most part, focused on the drug of the month, Bank cards and the like. But Matthew and Woody crack me up.

And I know this will come as a complete shock, but I happen to identify with the parental antics being therapeutically addressed by Dr. Rick. Not calling out the customer’s name, turning a photo op into 1 gig marathon, but some of the things people in the crowd at his seminar frown about.

Lawn care is not a hobby.

Breaking down cardboard boxes is not a thrill.

He did not mention sweeping the patio.

Nor did he specifically throw raking leaves and weeding into the mix

Maybe not play time per se. But sources of joy all the same. And all are an avenue of instant gratification. Where you engage in a short effort, work up a sweat, and produce palpable results within an hour or two. Having to push a mower for over an acre of grass is like a trip to PF. Talk about a core work out, rake the leaves in the fall and see how that feels the next day.

Play is what you make of it.

I love to listen to music, so being at a concert is play-time. But having a SoundTouch on the patio puts me in the front row. A vigorous walk around and through the neighborhood, saying “hi” to fellow walkers and kids on bikes or scooters is play. Once I get a bike, that will accompany walks as a form of play. and if my limbs loosen up some more, maybe I can even go back to flippin’ a tire across a field. Then I won’t be married to a gym for a workout.

When you come upon a renewable and revisable source of interest, that doesn’t just grow on you but grows you, I think that is what play-time is meant to be. A chance to engage several different aspects of your being into something that renews. Even work can be that, as long as you are able to find a joy similar to that pulling weeds.

So that being said, perhaps Dr. Rick should turn his attention to a wider audience. Like those that spend their life scrolling, playing video games, taking selfies and aiming for clicks. Mostly inside, alone even surrounded by friends. Maybe that is a market they have never even considered. Trying to get their attention would be about as successful as telling a parental client to stop shouting customer’s names off the cup in the local coffee shop.

I get it.

We parents do act like dorks from time to time.

But you know what?

That just happens to be our play-time.

It all starts with resolve.

Daily writing prompt
What are your biggest challenges?
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Just recently, by the grace of God, I have been able to piece together some of the origins, impact and outcomes of some of my biggest challenges. It is amazing when coincidence appears and another piece is put into place. Followed by another. Then yet another. Coincidence isn’t just that. It is intentionally created to help one find their way. Alongside Him.

So as these parts came together, the foundation of and additions built upon one of my biggest challenges became recognizable. Not as fuzzy any longer, obscured by other of life’s surroundings, it is now somehow governed by the warning in the side view mirror.

Self-resentment comes in a great many shapes, configurations and depths. Origins of it still being fully unwrapped, reviewed and understood. But at least there are some answers as to the format of the nostalgia I have tended to embrace to this point in my life. And now knowing that better and working my way through the way it has been woven into my life, I am better equipped to confront and dispense with it.

It all starts with resolve.