Joy | Tracks In The Dust

Archive for the tag “Joy”

12 Apr 2013

Expecting Less

There are so many times when “expecting less” in your life’s daily process would be best. Yet in these days and times it seems like that statement makes some people cringe.

I see so many people who are constantly focused on what they can accumulate in their lives. Whether it is possessions or friends or money or love or attention, they are constantly measuring their lives to see where they are. A great example of that comes to mind when looking at the social networking sites (even this one) that millions of people are members: get “more” followers, get “more likes” – add more friends to the list.

For others I see them measuring their lives in how much they have, or how good something compares to what others may have. The better car, the better home, the better job. That is such a fragile thing, especially these days when economies are floundering, prices are raising and the idea of “better” keeps notching up. It ends up with stress in life that can come back to haunt you. Perhaps then you have to worry about getting the “better” doctor perhaps, because you are going to need it. 🙂

So it feels like there should be caution when making the statement that “expecting less” is something well worth declaring. Many times it sounds weak or like someone is resigning to not have high expectations for oneself. Perhaps for some… their constant drive for more could be defined in the end by the measure of what I think it ultimately provides: “expect less happiness”. For we all know somewhere in our hearts- that more worldly things won’t define happiness – not in the width or breadth of it.

It could be that “expecting less” feels like “accepting failure” – in some cases there is an element of truth. Yet, it can lead to fear of failure;but that can drive another motivation entirely can’t it? I don’t think that it means you should expect to fail, you but you have to understand where the lines are in your life.

So in the end- “give more” is the counter-balance. Spiritually it is the reason for our daily struggles- as many have decided to reverse things and say “expect more“. What a simple change that will allow us all to be surprised by the spiritual power that we have been provided…and give more.

So expect less/give more. Not sure if you agree with that or not. Be rewarded with what will be blessings and grace in your life. I believe although it is very hard to do, it provides an abundance of happiness when applied.

Posted in Learning Lessons Along the Journey Of Life and tagged Acceptance, expectations, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Joy, Postive Thinking, Reality Check, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Awareness, Struggling with failure, Wanting more

25 Feb 2013

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Something Left To Give

As we grow older it seems, priorities change don’t they? When I was younger getting through each day meant something quite different from what it does now. In some ways I was always wishing hard for the weekend, where I could more intensely enjoy the company of my friends. Raise the roof and party. I was in a rock band in my early days and there was always something about the weekend. Gigs at local schools and pubs, party’s with long nights of drinking beer and smoking and pretending to be so worldly about our observations of love and the world around us.

But as I grew older giving was more significant than receiving. It became more important to be part of something that would last. It’s not that everything has to be “important”- but somehow I guess having kids will put a whole new perspective on that. As I had written in a previous post a while back, my father-in-law lived to the ripe old age of 90. And though all of his years fortunately old age did not shake is memory or faculties. He was a vibrant person pretty much till the end. One of the most important thing he wanted from life was to “be remembered”.

So now as I gain years and hopefully get wiser with age, I hope that I can have “something left to give” and that all of my children (even the lost one I haven’t seen in 10 years) can gain from the insight of the world around them. They won’t let the world pass by them and not notice the greatness of life, the wonder, grace and compassion. They will find ways to give to life the blessings God has provided, they will be conscious of the opportunity and it will become the reason that generations ahead will benefit from the wisdom they leave behind.

This is a song that always reminds me of that idea. One my children introduced it to me. From The Starting Line. It’s several years old, but I have frequently came back to this song and its words. ♥

Posted in Life's Sound Track (Music) and tagged being remembered, choices, Compassion, Faith, Grace, Joy, life is precious, Music, Reality Check, Sprituality, Who Are You

08 Jan 2013

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Tending to Your Convictions

There are things that you want because you believe in them, and then there are those things you need driven because of your conviction.

Your convictions include your personal commitments, the core values you live by, or the things that truly motivate you. It’s more than what you simply believe ..I recently read this…“A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for!” – Howard Hendrick

I find that sometimes it is hard to center those convictions in your life. You know that they are there, you even have a past list of core things that you have fought for. But still there will be times when there are doldrums, sort of floating time like treading water it seems.

In those times it is good to turn back to the things you know about yourself. Those reasons that you have persevered to this moment. Pull up your spiritual bootstraps and point in a positive direction. It is just as simple to turn your back on that spiritual compass and let others tell you what you will believe. It is simple to become dependent on someone, or something. To get comfortable in the routine of familiar surroundings or patterns, making it easy to wait for another day…

But those things that motivate you that involve the genuine love, the core values of your being and spirit will allow you to chart a course ahead in a positive way – based on your convictions.

So now in the new year, reflect on your convictions (not just your beliefs) and know that you can make a difference in your own life, and in-turn make a difference in others. Don’t stand still and feel “done”, because you will never be done until your last days. Don’t let fear and uncertainty manage your convictions, you got to “let love in”.

Posted in Learning Lessons Along the Journey Of Life and tagged Acceptance, Change, Conviction, Faith, Grace, Joy, life is precious, Self-Awareness, Sprituality

03 Dec 2012

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“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

24 Sep 2012

1 Comment

Another Change of Season

Its time again for a season change. Here in the US it is time for autumn. Fall. The time of harvest. In days gone by, it would have been the time to store up for the cold winter ahead. Celebrate the Thanksgiving day in America. But sincerely thankful for the great harvest that summer has brought. To bring the family together to share in the grateful bounty.

But these days it seems like it is more about reminding us that the holidays are upon us. We try to capture the “picture” of what it means. Autumn and Halloween decor is stacked on the shelves. There are a variety of gold,red, brown and orange objects filling the displays. Costumes and goolies all over the aisles for that all-saints night at the end of October.

Right around the corner are the Christmas lights and tinsel, perhaps dusted off from last year. A variety of Santa Claus figures and holly and ivy. Even artificial Christmas trees are lining the seasonal aisles of the big warehouse sized stores.

But what are we really wanting? That feeling of those colder evenings and crisp days. The fall colors of trees signalling the end of summer. That time to remember family and friends with a cheerful time that should be what we celebrate all year, but choose to find a holiday reason to make contact again.

I still remember the magic of those days when I was a child. Knowing that the holidays were coming and would mean a feast at Thanksgiving and songs and lights for the Christmas season. Going to pick that live Christmas tree with my dad that would smell so good when it got tied to the top of the car and later set in the stand in the house.

Autumn brings a lot of memories for the time and remember to be of thankfulness and good cheer. It would be great to have that all year around ( the spirit of God can do that if we want). We settle for less, we could do much more. But it is good to have the season don’t you think. It marks time and allows us to appreciate what the world has provided to us. Even in the midst of all of the world’s strife and conflict- we have each other- we have the seasons.

The Seasons and the Hot Summer Day