Sometimes when I sit down to write I have a million ideas swirling through my head. I have so many things that I am interested in. I have quite a lot to say on several topics. Some of what I have to say can be shared with the world and I am usually happy to do it. Then there are those other times…

There are just those issues that I know I don’t need to comment on. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion to share. Sure, I know what I think on the subject. However, is it my place to bring the subject up? If it has to do with something I know how to do sure, but what about those things that I see from the sideline? Should I be willing to speak on those things too?

The answer is yes. I should be willing to share my comments regardless. In sharing my comments, should I share everything? No. Where is the line?

For me, I want to produce content that reflects who I am. I refuse to tear down. I refuse to insult. I want to encourage. I want to motivate. I want to offer hope. I want to offer perspective. Is it always the right perspective? For me perhaps, but I don’t make the assumption that it is for everyone.

To that end, I am going to make a potentially inflammatory statement. Are you ready? Life is too short to be a jerk. So, don’t do it. You will be glad you didn’t. Sure, you have an opinion. Please share it. I want to know how you feel and what you think. If need be, let’s have a spirited discussion. We can do it as friends.

Please know this about me: God loves you and so do I. We will never agree on everything and I like it that way. It keeps things interesting. I can disagree with you and still love you. I can disagree with you and still be great friends with you. I have too much respect for you to do otherwise.

I speak from experience when I say I understand life is fragile. I would far rather walk through that fragility with honesty and respect and care. I want to spend my time on earth loving people and making friends. Life is better together.

Plus, as we get into really good discussion where we disagree, we get to know each other better. We get to examine our own paradigms. We get closer to getting things right. We get the benefit of being with each other. Sometimes, we get to be proven wrong and agree with the ones we are in discussion with. I like that.

Everybody has an opinion. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. There. I said it. I feel better now.

I this several years ago from the perspective of someone who has drifted apart from their spouse.

Verse 1

I see you now and it breaks my heart, for I really don’t know who you are. Your face is familiar. I like your smile, but I haven’t known your heart in quite a while.

The world has been busy, we’ve done so much. But still, I never thought I would be a stranger to your touch. Baby help me find the answers Help me find the way. Let me take you by the hand, go back to those days.

Chorus

I want to go back to the way we were…back when the days were free. Before we were tied down to all of these things, the unwanted responsibility. I want to dance like we did that day in the park. I want to feel you again, I want to know who you are. Oh baby, I want to know who you are.

Verse 2

Life can consume you in many different ways. Time spins out of control and you lose track of the days. We have spent these years together, but have grown so far apart. It’s as if the fire is dying that used to blaze hot in my heart.

Lover can’t we go back there? To where we first began? Back where you are my lady, and I am your man? Baby help me get back there, take me in your arms. Let me in your heart again, I want to know who your are.

Chorus

I want to go back to the way we were…back when the days were free. Before we were tied down to all of these things, the unwanted responsibility. I want to dance like we did that day in the park. I want to feel you again, I want to know who you are. Oh baby, I want to know who you are.

Verse 1

They came at me with everything they had. I didn’t know if I was equal to the task. Yes, the fight has left me scarred. That is what happens when you are living in a war. Nothing comes easy.

Verse 2

I made it through, now a fire burns in me. Doesn’t matter how long it takes to be free. Can’t let anything stand in my way. The moment has come, today is the day. Nothing comes easy.

Chorus

Nothing comes easy, it wouldn’t be good if it did. Nothing comes easy, that’s the price we pay to live. Nothing comes easy, it wouldn’t be good if it did. Nothing comes easy, nothing comes easy.

Verse 3

This time is different than before. Don’t just want to fight in the battle, I’m going win the war. I have learned some things along the way. The way that things are is not how they will stay. Nothing comes easy.

Chorus

Nothing comes easy, it wouldn’t be good if it did. Nothing comes easy, that’s the price we pay to live. Nothing comes easy, it wouldn’t be good if it did. Nothing comes easy, nothing comes easy.

I hate getting pulled over. It happens sometimes, but I certainly am not a fan. Ince, I was heading to lunch south of where I worked and an officer saw me without my seatbelt on. The moment I saw him I put it on. He followed me for a few blocks, flashed his lights, and pulled me over.

He came up to the car and asked me if I knew why I was being stopped and asked for my license and registration. I had my seatbelt on when he got up to the car. He did a double take, looked at it and then told me that when I had passed him I was not wearing it.

In this moment I had a choice to make: Do I admit that I had done wrong? Or do I a make a case that I had it on now? Fortunately I took the responsible route and owned up for what I had done. I knew I was supposed to have it on.

He went back to his car to do whatever it is that police officers do and it gave me a few minutes to think. The public has a skewed picture of most police officers. The man who was writing me a ticket was professional, courteous, and kind. He was doing the job that he had been entrusted with, keeping the public safe…even keeping me safe by making me comply with the seatbelt law. He came back to the car and I apologized for now following the law and thanked him for his time. He did his job and did it well. I didn’t like the ticket I was now holding, but that was my fault, not his.

The story doesn’t stop there. I remember when I went to the county courthouse to pay for the ticket. I was standing in line at the court clerks office. An officer was standing against the wall watching over everything. A woman walked up with her granddaughter in tow. She looked down at her granddaughter and told her to be good or the police officer would lock her up. He smiled at the girl and told her that he wouldn’t do that and that he was there to help. The lady smirked and told the girl again to behave or the cop would do her in. He smiled at the girl and told her again that he was on her side. The officer walked away and the woman looked at me and said, “On our side, yeah right.” This man was kind and very professional. He didn’t deserve that.

It was a very clear picture. I was standing in line to pay for a ticket that I deserved. I am certain the woman was standing there for the very same reason. She and I had very different views on why we were there and whose fault it was.

Have you encountered situations like this? Passing blame and making someone else the villain seems to be a way of life for many. I don’t want to live like this. Through this whole process I didn’t get angry (except at myself). I chose to be accountable for my actions. I made the right choice.

Yes. I am on of those guys. You know the type? Sometimes I read definitions of words, just for fun. It amazes me that we have such a huge arsenal at our disposal to express what we want to say. And yet…sometimes we goof. Maybe it’s just me.

I remember very clearly that I liked to use big words when I was a teenager. Some kids played sports to look cool. Others drove nice cars. Me? I wanted to look smart. How did I do it? By making myself look like a fool misusing words I didn’t understand.

When I was 16 I used to visit the Christian bookstore in our little town. It had a great atmosphere and the owner was friendly and went to my church. He asked me how my day went. I responded…very monogamous. He busted out laughing. For a moment I though about being offended. I asked him why he was laughing. He says, “Do you mean monotonous?” Yes. I meant monotonous. I had the right meaning…not the right word.

These days I try to use a wide vocabulary, but it has nothing to do with looking cool. I just love words. I love the meanings that they are packed with. Words have the power to lift us up and tear us down. We can inspire with our words and we can motivate…others and ourselves.

Several years ago I heard about choosing a word for the year. The pastor of our church is the one who presented the idea. He encouraged us to pray and choose a word that would motivate us throughout the year. A few years ago my word was engage. What does it mean? To establish a meaningful contact or connection with something g or someone. My goal was to engage more with my work and those around me to make a difference.

Last year the word in our home was healing. After going through cancer for the second time, focusing on healing and wellness was the task for the year. For the most part, that is what 2019 was. I have been cancer free for 19 months and feel better than I have in quite some time.

So, I have been considering g my word for 2020. I think that I am going to go with thrive. What does this mean? Webster’s Dictionary says this: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances. After a year of healing, it is time to start setting goals again. It is time to take my family, friendships, health, fitness, church involvement and my work to the next level. It is time to thrive.

Do you have a word for the year? What is it?