Knock Things Down and Build Things Up

A dear friend of mine just signed the lease on a 1600 sq. ft. property with another set of rooms upstairs from it. His plan is to create a workspace and self-defense/work out center on the ground floor, and his office and shower space for clients on the second floor.  The former tenants left the property in decent shape but some of the walls need to be torn down, and others need to be patched and painted.  He’s hoping that the mold or some other worrisome, costly problem is not hiding underneath. 

Still, the worn and pitted wallpaper has to be stripped first and pock marked walls with old nail holes need to be filled in and smoothed.  Of course, he could just slap on the new paint and from a distance it will look fresh, clean and new.  But upon closer inspection the true underlying destruction will be quite apparent.  There are even some areas where a wall may be need to be torn away to clear out any mold, and make repairs.  Even if the wall appears fine, it still may need to be torn down to enlarge the space or new walls may have to be built to make larger areas more private.   

Sure, he could consider cutting some corners with repairs to save money and time but that’s not the way he operates.  He understands, on many levels that one needs to get to the core of the issue and work outwards.  Often times, in order to succeed you have to get to the bottom of things and work your way back up.  This is true in business and in life.

As we migrate through life, we can be worn down and beset with fatigue; filled with derision, regret, anger, frustration, heartbreak, sadness and/or loneliness.  We often put on a good front, trying to move past the darker emotions that pin us down as if we have a two ton boulder strapped to our backs.  Yes, we may find a way to smile or laugh; we can put on some make-up or get a haircut.  We could buy a new dress or suit or shoes; shop until we drop or eat until we burst. 

Even healthier options like hitting the gym may offer outward signs of wellness and vigor, giving the illusion that we’re fine.  But if we haven’t truly worked to breakdown those emotional boulders that we carry hidden underneath that thin veneer of wellness we portray to the world, then we are doomed to an eventual emotional breakdown that will be far more difficult to overcome; or we may never overcome it at all and the stress of it might even kill us. 

The only way to truly become free of that tremendous weight is to deal with the issue; address the core problem or problems; reach down deep past all that pain and grab ahold of that nasty nugget that’s the cause of all the things bearing its ugly weight on you and deal with it. Pick it apart. Dissect it.  Understand it. Acknowledge it. Then discard it. You don’t necessarily have to eradicate its memory entirely; that may not even be possible. 

Every now and then it may float up from the depths of your buried past and try to sucker punch you. If you’ve dealt with it properly, that punch will be akin to shooting a spit ball at the backside of a full grown grizzly; you’ll won’t even know it hit you or you’ll brush it off and pay it no mind. You can change how that memory affects you in your present day state, by breaking it down into its core component and leaving it alone to wither to nothingness. It will take time but if you don’t pick at it, it won’t fester, and it can’t hurt you anymore.

Just like you wouldn’t fear breaking a building down to the foundation in order to rebuild and create a truly resilient and beautiful home, don’t fear breaking down those personal problems so that you can build a resilient and beautiful soul. 

Let’s not be afraid to Knock things down and build things up.

<3 Always & Peace ∞

CAG 08062016

Lord I Could Sing Your Praises All Day

It's been a long while since I've posted to this blog; almost a year as a matter of fact.  Lots has happened but this is what hit my heart today:



Lord I Could Sing Your Praises All Day

Lord I could sing your praises all day. 
I could lift up my voice in supplication, in wonder, in gratitude, 
in pain, every emotion through song I would display. 
Lord  I could sing your praises all day.

I could whisper the tears and shout the joy.  
With musical precision or off key - none need understand but you and me.  
Whether on beat or broken tune this isn't for them anyway.  
Lord I could sing your praises all day.

The song of love or of despair
To you Lord, I cast my every single care
There is not one thing that I could'nt say
Lord I could sing your praises all day.

In the calm of the morning as the sun peeks the horizon
As I trek the mountains high, the valley deep, I'd sing all the way
a harmony, so sweet as I pray
Lord I could sing your praises, Lord I will sing praises, 
Lord I will sing your praises every day.
- C. A. Griffin 08-04-2016

SOMETIMES

All ways concentrate on fixing from within, then step into yourself and just BE

Sometimes, it's best to step out of character and just BE.
Sometimes, when you step back your vision clears.
Sometimes, you need to be up close and personal.
Sometimes, you see a new side to the people in your life.
Sometimes, you need to just watch.
Sometimes, people see you.
Sometimes, you need to listen.
Sometimes, you’re not heard.
Sometimes, you need to ask.
Sometimes, you need to understand.
Sometimes, you’ll be confused.
Sometimes, you need to know.
Sometimes, you need to walk away.
Sometimes, you need to venture out.
Sometimes, you need to be still.
Sometimes, you need to leave it alone.
Sometimes, you learn something new from something old.
Sometimes, you need a different perspective.
Sometimes, you hate player and the game.
Sometimes, you're the player.
Sometimes, you get played.
Sometimes, you clear the playing field.
Sometimes, you're understood.
Sometimes, it doesn't matter.
Sometimes, you step aside.
Sometimes, you intervene.
Sometimes, you find your truth.
Sometimes, you see the lie.
Sometimes, you get the big picture.
Sometimes, you need to focus on the details.
Sometimes, it’s not about you.
Sometimes, it’s your world.
Sometimes, it’s claustrophobic.
Sometimes, you just need to breathe.

All ways concentrate on fixing from within, then step into yourself and just BE
08302015 CAG

The Sun and the Rain

The sun beats down from on high, drying up the land and baking up everything that it touches.  Clouds march in, heavy and dark, ominous and threatening.  The thunder rolls, thick with power and the lightning flashes to herald the approach of a storm. 

I am reminded of God's power and how He is with us even as the sun scorches and as the storm rages.  I am reminded that the storm ends and the sun returns.  I am reminded that the sun is covered by clouds as the rain returns.  There is gentle beauty and sustaining gifts with the coming of the sun and the rain.  Yet the sun and the rain carry and often do deliver hardship and pain. 

I am reminded that both the storm and the sun serve a purpose that is clear and yet not always understood.  I am reminded that without the billowing clouds, the lightning, the thunder, and the rain; that without the sun and its heat; and that without the reciprocal cycle that comes with each that this world would cease to exist.  I am reminded that these two immeasurable and unpredictable sources of power formed this world and continue to shape it.

So it is with the circle of living.  May we all love and support each other as we appreciate both the gifts and the harsh realities of the sun and the rain. 

Dance in the sun, sing in the rain; find shelter and give shelter as necessary.

Happy Weekend FBF - May we find shelter in the form of relationships with the Almighty, our family and friends in this cycle of life and in the next as well. 

<3 Always & Peace ∞
CAG 07182015

Mother's Day Prayer

Dear Lord - Thank you for the grace of love that is a mother; for her sacrifices, endearments, tireless and sometimes thankless guidance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We pray that Your comfort comes to those who ache a little more today as they miss their mother who looks down from heaven. 

We pray for those who yearn to be mothers and are not. 

We pray for those men who have had to take on the role of mother in bringing up their children.

We pray for those who have never known the grace of a loving mother. 

We even pray for those mothers who are lost to darkness and have never taken the role of matriarch as a blessing.

As the day passes on, let us strengthen the bonds of family and friendships in celebration of mothers all over the world.

In Your name we pray and give thanks! AMEN

Show and Tell

If you love them, tell them. 

If you miss them, tell them. 

If you need them tell them. 

If you want them tell them. 

Tell them how you feel, how they make you smile, how they make you shake your head, how they warm your heart, tell them, tell them, tell them.

And then show them.

Play Show and Tell every day with the ones you love.

<3 Always & Peace ∞

CAG 04192015

Saturday's Prayer for March 21, 2015

Dear Lord,
All over the news, we hear of devastation, horror and despair.  In our communities there is disruption, discord and anger.  Our homes and work places are rife with malcontent.  In the blink of an eye, our loved ones are taken from us.  At times it’s a long suffering illness that takes them from our loving arms, sometimes death comes without any warning; swift and unapologetic.  We scream and wail in pain and question all that is happening. 

There are no simple answers, no panacea that will immediately eradicate the pain.  Let today be the beginning of our reconciliation with you.  Let today be the start of an effort on our part to heal from within and offer healing in the form of kind, humanitarian and peaceful acts.  Let today be the day that we are no longer silent in showing our love for one another, for ourselves and most of all for you.  Let us all be the change that we seek. Amen.
- CAG 03212015