Everything Has Its Place

So, recently a friend asked me what my passion was. I was dumbstruck. Not by the question, but by my answer. After fumbling with words for a few seconds and making excuses for my lack of coherent thought, I heard myself saying something to the effect: "My passion is avoiding pain". Given all the complaining I regularly do, it's obvious my modus operandi is a complete failure. So, maybe it is time for a change. The life lived running away from something could hardly be considered full. Running away expends energy, requires that things be quickly left behind, leaves traces of unfinished moments scattered all around, and in essence, leaves one empty. An acronym I recently learned from an Alcoholics Anonymous participant is "FINE". It has many meanings to many participants, but this particular fellow used his "FINE" when someone asked him how he was doing and he didn't have the heart to be honest. FINE = (Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic, and Empty). Haha - scary how much I can relate to that! Not just the acronym... but the facade as well. Often it is difficult to be real, but "real" is where progress is made, where things get better. "Fake" just keeps following you around like a shadow, never changing.

The beautiful thing is this, today is a new day. I have another chance to enjoy my life, seek out lovely things, embrace the difficult moments, and thank God for his grace.

Now, since this is a blog about "our life", I should include some pics of "our life" to keep it all... well, real. ;-)

Something magical exists in the toddler imagination which whispers such things as "Psst! I dare you to press your face into that bowl of spaghetti."...


... and, "Be one with the bubbles.".

In a moment of youthful self-indulgence, we left Noa with a friend while we stole away to watch the pivotal Avatar in 3D. Thrilling in so many ways!!!

Giving thanks to God for all the ways in which I am obviously inept, so that when you see a good thing in me, you have no choice but to give credit to my Maker...