the Journey

I have pondered what to call this new blog, and believe that it shall be called “the Journey”.

Perhaps a short explanation of how I came to be engaged in this journey is appropriate.  Earlier this year, my brother-in-law, Chris called my son Erik and asked if Erik would like to come to Colorado for an extended stay.  Chris is visiting Vietnam for personal and humanitarian reasons.  Chris is a Vietnam era veteran and that is all I am comfortable sharing as I respect his privacy about his own life’s adventures.  He has shared more with me, but that is specifically private information, and, it is not my story.  Erik politely declined as he’s busy working, going to school and being 22 years old.  So, Muggy and I discussed the notion of one of us going instead.

I first asked Muggy if she wanted to go and she was quick to say it did not interest her, and then she asked if I would like to go.  I was immediately intrigued.  After a short conversation we both agreed that I should set things in motion to come to Colorado.  This was a decision made with a reasonable level of serious consideration as I will be here for five weeks.  I contacted Chris and expressed my interest and he was happy to have me be willing to come.  As it turns out, the “duty” end of the trip is a little more than watching Chris’ home.  I’m also becoming close friends with Diane’s dog, Skipper.

Skipper and me.

          But, the “duty” piece of this is minor.  Sure, one needs to be alert of being in someone else’s home and such for an extended period of time; and, having the responsibility of another’s dog is, to me, daunting.  I can only assume that Skipper is a very important part of Diane’s life.  I have been entrusted to care for and become friends with her dog; probably one of her best friends!  That is something I take very seriously and I look forward to getting to know Skipper.

The larger aspect of this trip, in my mind, is a spiritual journey and a greater understanding of self. 

Let me elaborate a bit.  I’ve been “called” to the mountains here in southwest Colorado; and believe me, it is beautiful.  However, mountains have particular meaning to me.  I’ve learned that whenever God called someone up to the mountains it was so the individual could be closer (physically, mentally and spiritually) to Him.  In my thinking, when I am in a valley, those impossibly challenging times which can bring us to our knees in terms of harshness, hurt, loss and so forth, we are really having a mountaintop experience.  There is something to be learned and God wants us closer to Him to learn whatever it is He has for us.  And my journey began last week, (well, my journey began long before that in the sense that my entire life is a journey of learning and experience!) when I went to our property in Tennessee.  I was there for just a couple of days, but once again, it was a mountain prelude (Appalachians/Smokies) to my Rocky Mountains experience.  Some may think me over analytical, but this is the way I perceive my life and experiences.  

View from the backyard!

View from the front yard!!

I’ve chosen to be actively engaged in the spiritual aspect of who I am and that, to me, opens up huge opportunities for growth, learning, experience and, hopefully, understanding.

Why am I compelled to write these things?  I do so because it enables me to better and more deeply understand what I’m experiencing.  Why am I compelled to share these things with others?  Ahh, that is a good question.

I begin from the assumption that anyone who reads this is interested in what’s being said.  I’ve been told by several individuals that they have enjoyed my blogs in the past. (For other blogs I’ve done, check out www.charmin13.blogspot.com or http://hanson-road-trip-america.blogspot.com/ ).   I’m thankful and humbled by such comments and thoughts.  Writing, in and of itself causes me to much more carefully consider what it is that I’m thinking because I am taking time to accurately (or, at least as accurately as possible) put my thoughts into words on a page.  As we all know far too well, our lives are fast-paced and far too often we live life at a superficial level.  That sounds like a judgment.  I don’t mean it that way.  It’s simply that life is demanding and fast and many times does not allow for deeper consideration of what’s going on in each of our lives.  I’ve been given a gift in having this time of solitude and I willing choose to share my thoughts and experiences with whoever may be interested.

There are a multitude of facets to the “why” I am here.  I’ve recently completed the facilitation/administration of a seven-week series for the men of our church and I am relieved to have this time to re-energize.  I was needed here to enable Chris and Diane to take their journey of a lifetime.  Sure, someone else could have been here, but I’m pleased that it turned out to be me.  Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, there wasn’t anyone else who should be here right now.  Someone else could be here, but I should be here.  Even at the ripe old age of 61 years, I am still anxious to learn more about myself, about the world around me, about God.  Honestly, the aforementioned series was quite challenging to see to fruition.  It required obedience on my part to something I believe God wanted me to do.  With that now complete, I am anxious for my next lesson, or challenge, or experience, or whatever it is!  I believe that if one chooses to operate in the spiritual, your steps are directed.  When my steps are directed it means that I have appointments.  I call these divine appointments because I didn’t make them; my God made them.  It is incumbent upon me to look for, to seek and to action these appointments.

So, if you’re interested, come along with me on this journey.  If you care to share what’s written, please feel free to do so.  I have established settings on this blog to allow for comments, but a lot of times the comments don’t show.  I have not figured that out yet but I’m working on it.  If you care to comment, please do so.