Convictions bring courage. Convictions grow from empathy. Empathy is not a sin. Sin is a lack of empathy.

History repeats itself. There is nothing new under the sun…just different players in the cast.

As we search for the light…we must be the light.

Bad manners will always be bad manners. Hate is wrong. Prejudice bigotry and misogyny are wrong. Hate comes from a great cavern in our souls. Feeling small and unappreciated can develop into hate. Being led by Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing and manipulated to fulfill their desires is soul-crushing.

Morality meant a lot when I was a child. The lack of it was not worn as a badge of honor. The marginalization of poor people is not something to be emulated. Cruelty toward fleeing frightened people and their children is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Sanctuary is Christian. We have forgotten who we are and where we came from.

‘We must rid ourselves of these people,’ Chief said. ‘This is our land given to us by the Creator,’ Chief continued. ‘They have different ways than we do and their clothes are peculiar,’ Chief observed.

‘Let us welcome them and help them with their crops,’ Chief’s Wife said. ‘Perhaps they will bring us good,’ CW continued. ‘They are kindly folk fleeing oppression,’ CW said with a tear in her eye.

‘A merry heart doeth like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.’ Proverbs 17:22 KJV

It is a lovely winter day. This is the year we celebrated New Year’s Eve. Almost a month gone. Our lives are full of surprises. Home is first in our hearts before it is in our actions. I watched our dear friend Jennifer last evening so happy and genuine. She uplifted my New Year Spirit.

We are amid the Grand Experiment—life! Every day is an adventure, and every kind word is a mitzvah. Our world awaits us. We should be so immersed in the joy of living that when we transition to death it will be a big surprise. What will the next hold for us if it is this wonderful in this Universe!

People are waiting to help you. There are always Helpers lurking about. As I walked the somewhat warmer Woods this morning the Park Staff waved vigorously at me. I am the Old Man of the Woods.

I have become old and now realize that no one has all the material things they desire nor travels to every location on their Bucket List. The joy is in the journey. Our world is full of loving and wonderful human beings. We are deceived by the algorithms that bunch people of ill will together. They are in the minority…humanity will win!

We are not a failing nation full of ne’er-do-wells. For over 32 years, I was privileged to be associated with the Building Services Department at Southern Illinois University. Kind intelligent, and hard-working colleagues who worked at their School as if the University’s success depended on them. Human beings from over 70 countries. Friends who helped others daily. We laughed often and with abandon. We cared about our precious students. We listened to their problems and fed them when they were hungry. There was no stronger department at SIUC!

Before I had the internet I was fascinated by the concept. All of the world’s knowledge is at my fingertips. It would be like having the Library of Congress at my disposal. Wolves came in in sheep’s clothing.

My dear friend Jeff tells the best jokes. I laughed until my sides hurt when I was with him. He owns his own business and carries a load of responsibility yet has time to laugh. Let us all be like Jeff…

Fear is real. If you have not been afraid you will be. It is no fun. Your stomach develops knots. Your head hurts. Hands sweat and anxiety take control. Fear can develop over time or come on suddenly. Many things cause fear. Fear for your imminent future is one.

People should not have to fear being who they are, and we should not fear detainment while we are at church. We all fear the knock on the door in the middle of the night…it is not funny when it is you and your family.

‘They deserve it,’ the Throng says with passion. ‘If they were not like they are or illegal they would not suffer like us True Americans,’ Throng continues. ‘Free Speech for Real Americans,’ the Throng chants.

‘Open up in the name of the law,’ Law Enforcement says. ‘You are guilty of illegal speech against the Leader,’ Law Enforcement continues. ‘You are a subset of an accepted religion that has violated the country’s

Free Speech requirements…you lectured the Leader and did not apologize,’ Law Enforcement informs as they cuff the Episcopalian Bishop.

So it goes as we navigate the Winter Of Our Discontent.

The Hostages rushed the Police. They beat the Police with batons. They defecated in the Citadel of Democracy. Now all are free.

How do the Police feel…

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. This is often said but rarely considered. What a profound gift! There really is the proverbial… Do Over. The Shackles of Christmas Past in which Marley’s Ghost presented himself to Scrooge can still be removed.

What is your vision for you? How can you become your best self? Now is the time for all good men/women to come to the aid of their country… Are you a writer…then write. Are you a singer…sing like no one is watching. Become the Fairy Tale version of yourself.

‘A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.’ Become so immersed in your passion that the storms of time seem far away.

‘Hello, young lovers wherever you are…,’ love with purpose and conviction. Be glad for someone who cares about you…it is rare.

A still small voice speaks to us from time to time. Listen. Often you hear it once and when unheeded by the cares of life… become silent. The Voice presents itself again…years later…and you remember.

Standing for your beliefs is amazingly freeing and empowering and provides a sense of place. Voice is a prized possession. Often words lodge deep in the hearts of the listener. Begin Again by being you in all your glory. Authentic and true…on a mission from God to bring peace and aid those who have no voice.

This is not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning. Today is bright and cold. January is known for the latter. Have you ever been cold in the summer? Such is the winter of our discontent. We seek the warm coals among the ashes. The vision in obscurity. Hope for the hopeless as Jesus taught us.

Laughing comes easy to the chosen. Rejoicing in the shared goals of our friends. It is comfortable to have an enemy. It is good to be the King. The Show is the Purpose. We smile and our mouths hurt. We are conditioned. A Day of significance for insular thoughts. Preachers say lofty prayers. The Sadducees did so as well.

The undocumented have to go is our clarion call. What about the undocumented white people? Questions are not welcome in the Forum. Acceptance is vital and expected.

Facts are fungible. Who needs them when we have the Fever Dream of a troubled mind…

The poor take comfort in the people who are beneath them. They are not on the bottom rung.

Hope reigned supreme in the Woods. All was right with the world in the forest. The Old Man walked with purpose under the cold blue sky. No judgment or recrimination…only mercy.

Jesus said let him who is without sin cast the first stone and then he knelt down and wrote in the sand. There was more than one political persuasion in the audience of stone throwers. Surely there were diverse economic levels in the hurlers. Yet they were up for a little game of Pitch… How do we deceive ourselves when we blame one political party or religion for our discontent…

Cold is the word for the day. It is 19 degrees but it feels like 4. Spring is on its way. We are still thinking of peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Christmas was less than a month ago. I saw a squirrel scurrying and wondered if he was cold. The ground was soft yesterday but hardened this morning. Water like a stone we Presbyterians sing from our hymnal.

January is on its way to completion. Even winter months go quick. One day at a time is my philosophy. Yesterday is past and tomorrow has not arrived. Sunday is the world for today. Seconds turn into minutes minutes into hours…hours into days…days into years. The Bible admonishes us to number our days.

We look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when it is in front of us. The laughter smiles and warm feelings make up our memories. It is not peace through strength but peace through contentment. Glad for the day and our part in it. Happy in the moment. Living the Feature Length Movie of our life as it flicks by on the theatre projector…one frame at a time.

Many frustrated people become political and religious leaders…beware. Listen to your heart when it does not agree with the crowd. Follow your Guardian Angel. Break the mold. Be different when different is right for you…

Calm thoughts are a sense of place. Fever Dreams lead to unhappiness.

The Old Man in the Woods looked slowly around. The deer birds and wild turkeys were content. The trees were happy in the bitter cold. Sky was his roof ground was his floor. Mr. Woodpecker tapped a merry tune. Roaring water flowed from the hills to the valley from snow melting. The symphony of rushing water was overwhelming. The natural order of things was mesmerizing. No glossy office with a Resolute Desk. No trappings of power designed to impress. The United States was begun by rebels. People who wanted a change from being ruled by a King. Farmers, tinsmiths, candlemakers, and printers came to the faraway country for a better life. A place where they were the government. A place for life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A country where the common man had a place at the table. They fled the gold and brass the pomp and circumstance for the common wooden table and straight wooden chair. No foolishness no slick words…Thomas Paine called it Common Sense…

The Great Melt has happened. This time last week, we were snow-covered; now, we are not. Walk without fear of falling. People are winter scurrying. Groceries to buy movies to see and a long weekend. Winter has a distinct rhythm. Slow and deliberate are the paces. Hope springs as we search the winter sky. Things change.

I have been reflecting on work and home life. For many years, work has occupied the majority of my days. Work has its own society. You have your work friends. The structure of your work days is not governed by home life structures. Even work rewards are kitschy when evaluated by the outside. Work becomes its own comfort. Many folks do not know what they would do without the structure pace and environment of work. They are Masters Of Their Domain whereas at home they are a bit lost. Often retired people become depressed at the loss of their halcyon days at work.

Severance is an intriguing show I have been watching on Apple TV+. The premise is that on one floor of the Lumon building staff have an implant in their brain that causes them to not remember anything of their time on the job when they are home and nothing of home when they are in the office. One of their rewards for success is an Egg Party where they are served Deviled Eggs. In the first episode of season two, they watched a staff video on a three-lens rear projection television that was simplistic and yet inspired the viewers to attain further kudos from the bosses.

At the conclusion of last season on Severance three of the Lumon staff overrode the brain implant for a few minutes. One found she was part of the family who owns the business and the season ended with her warning the audience she was supposed to brag about Severance by yelling that they were not happy as ‘Inies’ and were tortured at work. Another of the enlightened ‘Inies’ found he was a frustrated painter and that the man he loved at work had a partner at home.

Work/Life Balance has always been hard. Where we are creating who we are. Vagaries are abundant in life. Life is messy. Facebook says it is Complicated.

The artificial hierarchy at work is difficult to replicate at home. Rewards are a bit simplistic at work. We become accustomed to them in our artificial fish bowl. We want the certificate…the gold watch.

The ground was soft as a sponge as the old man walked. There were no political parties or churches. No leader telling the woods what to do and when to do it. Time moves at its own pace. It does not consider the opinions of the audience.

Small we began. Little baby in our high chair. The world looked mysterious. Big faces were friendly funny and kind. Everyone seemed to speak to us as if we were a baby…

Sometimes we would say things we understood clearly but sounded like di da or my name is Tan Tan… People laughed when we spoke clear thoughts…again as if we were babies. When I was young I boldly proclaimed that I did not want a ‘shoit’ for Christmas attesting to my need for toys. Aunt Vema laughed and oft-quoted me for many years following.

Today we speak our needs reactions and wants to God…he smiles and understands that we are developing.

The Great Ear hears all. Sounds of laughter freedom and fun and moans of pain suffering and loneliness…the most difficult to hear. We live in our covered huts but the Spirit knows. Guardian Angels are all around. Sometimes you can get a quick view of them as they scurry by…a bit of a blur.

It is warmer today. The snow is melting. Spring is coming. Looking at the winter afternoon sun…I think of home. The soft shadows over the white snow with many hues of color in the pristine sky. What a planet.

Quiet thoughts for quiet people. Some do not yearn for the crowds the hustle and bustle of the arena. Debate is not our style. Listening and thinking before talking is natural. Somewhat like the methodical days of winter. Ice forms then snow. Limbs break then the clean-up. What seemed overwhelming turned into reflection and renewal.

Manic Actors fill the stage. With just enough praise they have become the vision of the words of praise they hear. Power is a powerful aphrodisiac. We love the sound of our own name and our voice. Soon we believe our own hype.

Squirrels look out of their dens. The earth looks as good as it should. Soon the grass will grow. Mr. Toad and Badger…Mole and
Ratty is sitting by the fire as Mr. Toad tells them about his adventures in Motor Cars. Ratty is dreaming about ‘mucking about in boats.’ Badger listens with the wisdom that only he has. He hands Mole his much-needed glasses to see the dancing flames of the fire.

‘It is a facsimile of our world,’ Badger said. ‘There is the pursuit of happiness but no happiness,’ Badger continued. ‘Humans seek the approval of miscreants,’ Badger said with his bass voice. ‘They buy boats and never use them…a terrible waste,’ Badger concluded.

‘Nothing suits my soul more than a good book and a warm fire,’ Mole observed. ‘The rhythm of the woods is my pleasure,’ Mole continued. ‘I have few worries and keep my accounts on a tea napkin,’ Mole laughed heartily until his glasses fell off his nose.

‘I need excitement in my Toad life,’ Mr. Toad proclaimed. ‘There is a rush from driving a motor car,’ Mr. Toad danced about. ‘I have so many thoughts…they are like irons in the fireplace…I do not know which one to grab first,’ Mr. Toad said with a wink.

‘I am back from our boat…all is well with our winterizing of it,’ Ratty observed. ‘The lake is melting nicely…if we are going to ice skate we must do so soon, Ratty informed.

We seek the righteous among the profane. Shall God’s love be manifest through hate? Life is simple…without the ruse of conspiracy…

Life brings us happy surprises. We go about our work-a-day world or retirement-a-day festivities, believing that nothing changes. Change is always happening. As MJ says we are not as young as we used to be.

There is a desire to manage life in the moment. During my time as a manager at Southern Illinois University taking work-life one day at a time was excellent for solving problems. We do not live in the microcosm of one day and what we desire does not come to us in 24 hours. Patience is the key to many knotty issues becoming untangled.

Time is our friend. The heat of the moment yields to the wisdom of thought. As a young man, I wondered why I did not advance in my career. Upon reflection, I see myself as Assistant Superintendent of Building Services at 29 years old and wonder, as the Jamaican gentleman parking our rental car in Philedelphia when he said to me…What you cryin’ about man?’

The snow has lingered long for Southern Illinois. I can not snap enough photos. I enjoy winter photography. Each picture is a freezing of time. Such is life with its panoply of events appointments and plans for the future with little regard for the present. Each day is our snapshot…there is no dry run and rehearsal for the performance. Hopes and dreams are best meant to transpire over many days. The snow will leave…it will return.

Life is not about keeping score. Who won…who lost? We have to be bigger than a basketball or football game.

We introverts need time to think. Pondering what we are told is a panacea to our soul.

Type A personalities wonder why we are not running faster. We say slow and steady wins the race…

We are playing chess. Each move is important each move counts.
What is the end result we hope to achieve and how will our moves facilitate our goal.