Life is full and free and sweet when you focus on the things that matter. It is the beginning of another heat wave in Little Egypt but the morning cloud cover has made it bearable. The Woods were dark and subdued upon my visit today. The trees whispered…’ Change is coming.’ I have noticed that I snap a lot of very similar photos…but they look different to me and inspire me anew each day.

The constant chase of power and prestige is a bit of a fool’s errand. Both soon evaporate in the realities of our shared humanity. It has been said that people tend to become more conservative as they age…I have become more liberal. You see we are all God’s creation and he loves us all. The environment is a powerful factor. We often think like the people that surround us. There is a false peace in refusing to change your mind. If you always believe that you are right…you are indeed wrong.

Obsessed we are with personality. The obsession clouds our judgment. We fail to think logically when confronted with the truth if it does not comport with our favorite leader. When I asked as a young man what my aunt Guelda thought of meeting the famous comedian Bob Hope and the renowned singer Bing Crosby she replied that they were simply men who put their pants on one leg at a time. Now that I am old I see the wisdom of her words.

Our greatest heroes and the wisest among us…are never seen. They seek neither fame nor fortune and do not engage in the orator’s hobby of lofty rhetoric. We all fall short of our best selves. We are made of dirt and water…we must not be too proud…mud.

Carbondale is a lovely town in Southern Illinois. With the influence of Southern Illinois University, we have an accepting attitude. You can be who you are in Carbondale.

Faith has captivated my thoughts for over 55 years. I watch with great interest as some preach Christ’s words as words of love and inclusion…while others make his words into something hateful and hurtful. Many of our fellow travelers seek solace and faith and peace in other areas outside the church…they have been hurt before. Some say that if you give your money to them you will become rich. Often these grand orators become richer…while you struggle to pay your light bill and put butter and bread on the table.

The trees are right…change is coming. The Bible says that the meek shall inherit the earth.