Things I've learned this year

In no particular order...

• people are good
• despite what I just said, we are all bad, and do bad stuff. That's why Jesus was born last week.
• Good music makes me feel good, even when its bad news. It stirs me up, makes me think, helps me to get off of what I am hung up about, even for only 3:48. Ya gotta put up with some bad music to find the good stuff, but its worth it.
• things might be as bad as they seem, but you can always make lemonade. if you look, you can usually find someone who is worse off.
• My 90+ year old step-father said don't sweat the small stuff. It's not worth it. Works for him. Maybe I should do better at that. (I think I should point out that that doesn't mean sweat the big stuff. that's a whole 'nother matter)
• My kids keep me young. I get a kick out of being with them and doing stuff with them, even when the pace is nuts, things don't go right, they are complaining or don't listen, and I am missing other stuff - like golf.
• I enjoy kids. They are our future. It's mine and your job to help them along so that they turn into the leaders and faithful people that the earth will need at another point in time. Someone else's dad or mom can be a great influence on a kid you know, even just by being there. Some will latch on. I know  that to be true.
• My kids are like me, but they aren't me. don't try to make them that way. Remember how you got where you are. You screwed up plenty on the way to not being perfect!
• Lots of these things are for me more than for you. But take any of it you like. Most of it isn't mine in the first place! I will attribute where I can.
• The Founding Fathers were very wise, and were willing to be guided by Almighty God. We should follow more in their footsteps.
• The pace is easier to handle if you don't let the pace get to you. BREATH...
• easier said than done!?!?!?!?!?!?!
• I am blessed. Even in troubled times and situations, I know that God is above, below, in front, behind. Wherever I need. Just like the cloud and pillar of fire. Because of my choice to believe in Him and accept His grace, I have a special dispensation that He allows. He may not fix everything, especially the way I  think it should be, but He is protecting anyway.
• I am finding that alot more people think the way I do, generally, than don't. That means most of us have alot in common. Knowing that should  give us some hope, and kick us in the backside to stand up and say something. whatever that means at the time. All it takes for bad men to succeed is for good men to do nothing. --- Edmund Burke (paraphrased)
• see, told you I would attribute. done it twice already...
• some time with my God, both alone and with others (corporately, as some say. but that seems out of place) and in His Word, is good for me for the rest of the week.
• Use your gifts. they are there to help you fulfill your purpose. Probably to help someone else out in some good way.
• It's ok to have alot of fun while being a Christian. God doesn't care if you are goofy sometimes. I think He likes it frankly. I know He has a sense of humor. He made me for cryin' out loud. (I almost said "for Pete's sake," but I thought I would spare Pete the attention...) I learned a new "goofy" from my kids.
• The Feast/Occasion of Epiphany is God's way of reminding us that the Christmas Season ends, but the Christmas Spirit should keep going.

Peace on earth.
I'm curious what you have to say about any of this. Ya can't offend me, so speak the truth...