Tracks In The Dust

10 Dec 2012

Waiting for the End of the World

Okay, It will happen. Someday.

Waiting for it seems a waste of time. There are many who seem to be searching for it. They work to interpret the “signs” and decide that the Mayan’s calendar has it right, or some tea-leaves, crystal balls, Nostradamus, alien codes written in farmers fields, zombies coming to walk the earth or some religious faction incited by a self-declared prophet.

With the coming of the latest Mayan forecast looking like this December 21st, the fascination begins again.

For some they look at things so seriously that they are out buying provisions, digging shelters. Grab your family, food and ammunition. You are going to need it in the world ahead (I thought it was the end- maybe just a new chapter?)
For others there is a planned party to watch the event front-row center and lift a glass (or something else I suppose)
Yet others take on some interest like it is the next blockbuster disaster movie that is going to produce world-wide earth moving events destined to make the environment itself be the course of our demise… in full surround sound.

All of it is kind of ironic. Our “individual” worlds are so fragile. The end of the world may happen at any time for us, like a personal journey that has already been written. Step off a curb, slip on a rock, let that pain you have ignored take you away from the human fold as quickly as you arrived.

IF we choose to wait for it to happen, looking for it behind every news story or internet article, it kind of makes us all victims… victims of our human need for knowing our destiny. We cannot really know that “next” moment in our lives, any more than we can predict the moment that will become “the end of the world”.

So I choose to look at it this way. The world will come to an end in my lifetime. It will more than likely be my personal demise. But it may be that the aliens, planets, earth itself or our own foolish nuclear destruction take the course. Living for today, making the best of my time on this Earth to help others, share the Word, provide sound advice to my children, love my spouse and “embrace God’s grace” is still the best way to celebrate the end of the world. The world as we know it has exciting possibilities if you believe that the alternative will be all that much more glorious.

Get off your cloud and get living while you can!

Posted in Before and After Things Change and tagged being remembered, December 21st, Definitions, End of the World, Eternity, life is precious, Maya calendar, Maya civilization, Sprituality

03 Dec 2012

2 Comments

“Happy” Holidays

Every time about this time of year I kind of think about what’s left for the year before it’s over.

There is so much to be thankful for, and so much to reflect on. There are 2 holidays here in the US before it is all done, and it is such a great time to catch up with friends and family and celebrate life together. A time to be “happy”

No matter what you think you did this year, you can always do more. But no matter what you have you can always be thankful – Be thankful for the opportunity to be here on this Earth, reading things on the Internet, with food and water and sharing your love with your family, friends.

This time of year also means people have high expectations of what the holiday’s should bring. The idea Thanksgiving ( in the US can be a house full of food, family and football) and the picture perfect Merry Christmas. Often that ends up putting people in the most depressed sorts- when the simplest reasons to be HAPPY are just those things that “are” simple… Sometimes alone feeling abandoned, sometimes without much or anything to eat. It takes time to remember what happiness really is. It’s not about “things” or possessions, it is about something much simpler than that. It’s about being recognized for being a human-being on this Earth who, just like everyone else, is trying to make the best of the world as it has been dealt.

So as we are spending time looking for things to be thankful for… as we wander by and wish people a “happy” holiday season. Looks like we should be aware that for some it may be hard to see it, hard to feel it, or know where happiness is. They need to know your wish is sincere, you need to know you mean it.

Happy Holiday all!

Posted in Before and After Things Change and tagged being remembered, Christmas, Definitions, Happiness, Joy, Kindness, life is precious, Postive Thinking, Reality Check, Thanksgiving

29 Nov 2012

4 Comments

Closing Time

Closing Time (Photo credit: André Hofmeister)

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings’ end.” Semisonic “Closing Time”

The real-deal is that everything changes (time does that) and when something begins, it is always destined for an “end”. At least here on Earth.

Acceptance of change is often hard, and can lead to disappointment. It seems like so often disappointment a result of what we want to have happen- but doesn’t. We get stuck on the idea that if something doesn’t happen “exactly” like we imagined it should -then it seems wrong (we get angry or sad).

So hard to remember that. SO SO easy to let things get you down. Not like you can’t have plans or something, but they have to allow for the detours that life will deal us. Let one thing happen and be prepared to allow closure to the next. Hanging on to it can just make it harder.

So yeah- closing time… let it happen. Let it be the “last call” and the lights come up, because tomorrow is another day and “you can’t stay here” …..” in reality you wouldn’t want to any way. And that final “closing time” is somewhere in your future- you will go home to somewhere where forever is real. For now- keep moving. It’s gloriously more of an adventure that way – share it with the people you love on the journey ahead.

Posted in Life's Sound Track (Music) and tagged Acceptance, Change, Closing Time, Faith, life is precious, moments, Music, Semisonic

25 Nov 2012

4 Comments

“One Lovely Blog” Award

It’s nice to know that others are interested in your blog, lately I have been slower to post- mainly because of the holidays and my work schedule. But looks like I have been nominated for an “award” and for that I am always grateful.

Here goes:

The rules:
1) Link back to the blogger who nominated you

Thank you, to Miss Audrey at In Wonderland for the nomination. It is always wonderful to visit your site and see what’s new.

2) Paste the award image on your blog, anywhere.(done)

3) Tell them 7 facts about yourself.

7 facts about myself:

1) I grew up in Wisconsin (USA). One very nice place in the summer, nasty cold during the winter.

2) I love music of all kinds. Well most of them. After 12 years in Texas I even love certain country artists. A concept this old rock-n-roller would have never guessed in my younger days. I love a lot of the contemporary music today as much as the old stuff.

3) Over the past few years I have come to appreciate time like never before. Cancer diagnosis can do that.

4) I am a Christian. That often means an immediate label. I don’t mind the label. I know that others have their beliefs, including their preconceived notions about Christians. Believe in the Grace of God. It is real.

5) I have always wanted to do more traveling with my wife, but it always seems to be hard to do. Every-day living gets in the way.

6) I have been blessed with a lot of great friends that I have met over the years. They have made life worth it.

7) I have 4 kids, they are all officially “adults” now… but they have taught me a lot. They are priceless.

4) Nominate 15 other blogs you like for this award. (I’ll nominate 6 like Miss Audrey did)

1) No blog intended– always worthwhile checking in on her site

2) OneNewThing my dear friend Caroline’s new blog… fun!

3) HopetheHappyHugger – Half way around the world, but a genuine great person

4) Practical Proverbs – Dave has captured so much about the Word and made it fit in the real world today

5) Mikes Look At Life – the photography is outstanding and always interesting

6) Pure Instinct – a lovely person – a lovely blog from aix

5) Contact the bloggers that you have chosen to let them know that they have been nominated.

I’ll do that soon!
6) Resume blogging your regular posts.

Posted in About mgert123 and tagged Acceptance, being remembered, Faith, Grace, One Lovely Blog Award, Postive Thinking, Texas, tracks in the dust, Wisconsin

19 Nov 2012

3 Comments

The Deserted Island Answers And…

Last week I had asked the questions below: Got a lot of great answers and none of them wrong of course. After all if is personal choice. Just thought-provoking. Love to see more … what are yours.

Here’s my answers . THEN I have a follow-up question (too much time sipping beer at the bar with my chums).

1) What are the 5 musical artists (complete works) you would want while stranded on a deserted island?

The Beatles_

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (can I cheat and get all of their stuff together and apart) yes my question so my answer 🙂

Copeland – this is a group lead by a guy named Aaron Marsh. They are pretty recent, but even for an old-timer like me… great stuff

Todd Rundgren (big fan – has had music in my life since high school and he has some profound lyrics)

Jason Mraz ( love him thanks to my daughter for that)

2) What are the 5 books you would want to while stranded on a deserted island?

The NIV Holy Bible

The Lathe of Heaven – Urlsa LeGuin

The Stand- Stephen King

The Hunger Games Trilogy ( probably just a “now’ thing)

Cutting for Stone- Abraham Verghese (currently trending to be one of my fave)

This is a question that can change alot (except for the first one) depending on my mood

3) What are the 5 movies you would want to have to watch while stranded on a deserted island? (Yes you would have a way to watch them too)

The Philadelphia Story (Stewart/Grant/Hepburn)

Dial M for Murder (or any Hitchcock movie really)

Les Misarables 25th Anniversary Show ( love musicals so instead of picking a real one- this will do just fine)

Shawshank Redemption– the story is timeless

Robin Hood (the one with Errol Flynn)

I could have cheated again and said something like The Star Wars Trilogy (you know which one) OR the LOTR Trilogy… could have- but thought that was extreme. 🙂

_______________________________________________________________

So my friend asked me:

a) What is your TV show theme song if your life was a TV show drama?

b) What is your TV show theme song if your life was a TV show comedy?

c) What is your move theme song if your life was an action movie? –

We had some funny answers- what’s yours?