Standing in the Shadows of Giants

Racism is alive and well. Considering how recently slavery was abolished, and how recently Martin Luther King Jr. campaigned his dream, this shouldn't be surprising. But every time I walk with free steps, in my free life, in this free world to a place where I hear words of bondage I am still surprised. There are people whose minds, hearts, and therefore words are still in bondage to closed mindedness, tradition, intolerance, hate, and ignorance. Where's the change?

The inauguration is tomorrow and Obama has been championing "change". Some are far quicker to mock the statement than to question their own perspective of it. We instantly think things like "how's one man going to really change anything". He was the first to admit in his victory speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other." We the people make change.

When Sir Isaac Newton was asked of his great scientific achievements he said, "...If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." He was essentially acknowledging the blessing of having a foundation placed , and a way paved, by those who exercised passion in his field before him. After finding that all of these pioneers and visionaries had made their discoveries he did not quit because so much had already been accomplished by them. It is because of their work that he could accomplish great new things. They served as inspiration for his ability. They served as headway in his thoughts. They were the backbone to his quest. Ultimately he achieved a status and name greater than many of his mentors before him, but it was only possible (or at least probable) by recognizing the works of these great men and the advantages they gave him.

We all have the opportunity, just like Martin Luther King Jr., just like Sir Isaac Newton, and just like President elect Barrack Obama have, to stand on the sacrifices made by great men before us. By standing on the shoulders of these great men we can reach new heights. We can continue where martyrs of cause left off. We can finish building bridges our forefathers began building, so that our children may cross them. Our freedom has been bought and payed for by blood, sweat, tears, and lives. What will we do with it? What will all that has been earned be exercised for?

Just because discrimination and intolerance exist that doesn't mean that victory over them does not. It smolders in each of us ready to burst into flame for those willing to carry the torch. Hearing people's insults of racism and cruelty is a worthy sacrifice I am willing to bare for the sake of the same freedom of speech that others use to make our world a better place. Let's use their remarks as a reminder of where we've been and where we are going. Let's open our voices and spread our hearts on the subjects that grip us and inspire us. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "...the greatest tragedy...was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people".

By the guiding light of our God-given purpose we are growing. The soil is fertile because of the ground that has already be broken. We are all the same color when standing in the shadows of giants.

My Personal Time Machine

I find myself putting a great deal of thought in to the future. It can be one of the most crippling problems I have. I often procrastinate when it comes to things I should do, and even things I want to do, because I think there's a better opportunity yet to come. It helps me to get through the present when I have such a productive and profitable future ahead of me. But will I ever actually see this future if I'm just getting through the present?

Another time travel dilemma people suffer from is the past. "I'm not trying that because I'm not good at it." We too often let history haunt our present and predetermine our future. If we let the past determine our future what's the point in even having a present?

In either case we end up in the exact same situation we've always been in. If we cast the focus of our future constantly ahead of us then we don't even notice it when it flies by as the present. If we focus on the past we don't even realize that past is being determined by us ignoring the present. We make the same choices even when the choice is to not make one.

Present tense shouldn't be left up to cruise control. We have to live now. But it's easier said than done, especially when now is so over(under)whelming. It's so much easier to ignore it, get through it, or waste it even when we know there's more to life than wasting it. How can we change this way of thinking (or lack of it)?

I've realized that time machines do exist and they are right inside of our minds. We can go anywhere we want by focusing on it. If you want to live in the past then focus on it, and your life will be as it was in the past. If you want to live in the future then focus on it and your life will be as it would be without ever changing the present. See the rules to time travel seem a little unfair. You don't get to shortcut through life, just skip living. You can't go back and change the past, just relive it. It's not using the time machine that makes it so great. It's realizing this time machine exists.

See God doesn't need time, he always is and will always be. He created time for us so that we can figure out our purpose. If there were no time than there would be no past and there would be no future. Therefore there would be no accomplishments, no goals met, and no lessons learned. Without a start and a finish there would be no distance traveled, no journey, and no purpose. God created time and even a time machine so that we can find ourselves exactly where He wants us. Here and now.

I want to use the past and the future to my advantage. I want to use them to hone in on where I should be now and what I should be doing. If we really think that God strategically placed us in the now, and for a purpose, it allows us to truly live. What could you or should you be doing here and now? What is your purpose? You might find they end up aligning when you take a trip outside of the time machine.

Blank Pages

That's what you get when you start a blog before the holidays, blank pages. I've been so consumed with all of the 'stuff' it's been difficult to set aside time to write. On top of my usual duties I've spent my days "off" building not 1, not 2, but 3 websites. I'm trying to quit my day job, trying to start a business, fighting for a small inheritance, and taking the tint off my windows before court on Tuesday. We've visited the families (most but certainly not all). I've given lessons in Adobe After Effects until 5 in the morning ...twice. We've had staff parties and everyone parties and for the first time I enjoyed both. It's like all the things one would do throughout a year we did in a month.

Often when I pray I pray for wisdom. I recognize that a fair amount of people do as well. Whether it be because of a big decision that lies ahead or all of the little ones that lie in between. But sometimes we ask as if there is some amount of knowledge, or ability to manipulate that knowledge, that will take away the difficulty and fear of these decisions.

I personally began asking for wisdom daily when I was about 12. I just didn't want to make the same mistakes everyone else was making. My parents, my friends, and certain in betweens seemed so prone to making mistakes that I felt they'd made enough to cover my quota as well. I wanted to learn from them, not just what to do, but what not to do. Ever since then I've had this wisdom (whether or not I've known it) and have been learning from those smarter than me as well as those as smart as me sans wisdom.

But even with all the wisdom God has offered I've just recently had the wisdom to see why I still make the wrong choices and fear uncertainty. God's wisdom shows us the path that is right, but our faith determines the path we'll take. To say that wisdom=wise decisions is to say that knowing what to do=doing it. But the transition between wisdom and wise decisions is a step of faith. This step requires faith that what you think God is leading you to do is really God's leading, that no matter your choice He will follow that path with you, and when you get down that road He will undoubtedly meet your new found needs with unrelenting provision. Faith is the opposite of fear. They both motivate your actions either to run scared (down the easy path or away from the decision completely) or to boldly take the path less traveled, the right one.

I don't want to pray for wisdom when I'm really asking God to make my way be the right way. Because the fact is I already have the wisdom to know what is right I just lack the guts (self control motivated by faith with boldness) to do something about it. I'm really asking for God to show me another way out. A way that's a little closer to what I think I can handle, or what I want to be the right way. God's wisdom is ultimately wasted if we ignore it and choose our way instead.

Today I'm met with two blank pages. The one I'm already filling with this blog and this new year that we're already filling with our decisions. I know without a doubt or an ounce of uncertainty the things that I should do this year and even mostly how to do them. Wisdom granted. Now I'm praying for boldness, courage, patience, self control, and peace so that by faith I can do what is right in 2009. Don't worry I'm praying the same for you too. I hope this finds you well and that when our new paths cross you're having a Happy New Year!