Invictus

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Henley

Just following the recipe!

Today I prepared cookies for a Christmas Cookie Swap Party. I have never baked cookies before, but I simply followed the instructions. I followed the recipe and they turned out fine. They were not as beautiful as the magazine photos, but they were really nice. That is really an easy secret to life - just follow the instruction!!!

Blessed with Pain

I am blessed to know people in a lot of pain right now: physical pain, emotional pain, financial pain, and legal pain. With everything I have experienced in the last five years - financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, I know when you're down to nothing, God is up to something! Since it is ALWAYS darkest before the dawn, when things seem REALLY bad, I get hopeful because it's not much longer til the miracle arrives!

Abandon Yourself to God

First I was told to ask God for help, then I was told to turn my will and my life over to the care of God. In the end, I was told to "Abandon myself to the care of God as I understood him." I was also told to clean house, clear up the wreckage of my past and give freely of what I have been given. These four duties would set me free. They did.

Malt Liquor in the Morning

This morning I was up at 4:30 to do Boot Camp, then wieght training. Then to Publix. A homeless guy in front of me had a four pack of Malt Liquor at 7:45am. He said he was a heavy drinker and had to chase away the cob webs. I looked in his eyes & told him I understood. I grateful I don't have to be there. I hope I never lose my memory of all the bad and all the good. Neither one is as rich without the other.

Never Give Up Just Before the Miracle

My favorite motto is "Never give up JUST before the Miracle Happens" and I continue to learn its application in small and large ways. In spinning class, in litigaton, in relationships, in everything, I know that preseverance is essential. There is no telling how many miles I have to run while chasing a dream, but I know today not to stop running.

Progress, Not Perfection

I used to want to be perfect at something or not do it. Today, I embrace my imperfection. I just want to grow. I just want to be better than I was yesterday. Last week, I came in second to last in my age group in the 10 mile race. I don't care. I am proud that I did better than I did 2 weeks before that - progress, not perfection. "Day by day, we try to move a little toward God's perfection. So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next. Progress is our aim, and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away, that draws us on." Bill W., Letter, 1966. Today is World AIDS Day. I miss my friends that I have lost to this disease and today I honor them.