Is it possible that we get so busy living our lives that we never ask ourselves, "What makes me happy?" Some may know the answer to this, but many of us are left puzzled. Like we have never really paused long enough to think about the question.

The person who weighs 400 pounds. The person who spends every night at the bar. The person who spends every extra penny at the casino. What got them there? What will get them out?

The good news is this: we don't have to stay where we are. Look in the mirror. Be honest. If you can't be honest with the person staring back at you, you can't be honest with anyone. Ask the question. What makes me happy? Where do I find joy? Take a few steps back and look at your situation. Ask a friend you trust for their opinion. Get a good clear picture. If you aren't happy now, knowing what you want is the first step.

There is more power inside of you than you know. I love this quote: There is a giant asleep within every man. When the giant awakes, miracles happen. — Frederick Faust

Are your choices taking you toward the life you want? Or further away? Make the choice today to wake up the giant, and do something great.

I remember instances in my past where I have been bullied. Many times it happens when you did nothing to provoke it. You are left wondering what is wrong with you. Why would someone want to lash out at you? What did you do? Most of the the the answer is nothing.

There is the great chance that you didn’t do anything wrong. You just were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You found yourself around people you thought you could trust, but violated you instead. It hurt and you were wronged, and now you feel like the bad guy.

I read the story of the student in New Jersey the other day. It broke my heart. He was violated in the worst way and couldn’t recover. What was done to him is horrible. His family is in my prayers.

I have been working on this post for half an hour. I have no more words. I don’t understand the need to put someone else down to make yourself feel good.

I never thought I would find so much joy in reading to a little boy. But, I have. It is awesome. Every night is the same. He is two years old and he asks for socks in socks. Translated: Fox in Socks by Dr. Suess.

It really gives me perspective on what is important in life. I could be upset, preoccupied, frustrated, etc….when my boy asks for Fox in Socks it all goes away…

I have actually gotten pretty good at it. (For those of you who don’t know it is a book of tounge twisters.) But, that is not the important part. He snuggles in close to me. He wraps my arm over him as he gets ready. Then he listens to the whole thing. Over fourty pages. He loves it. But, I think I get more out of it than he does. He gets to listen. I get him.

I know that these times are short. One day I will wake up and he will be sixteen asking for the car keys. For now, he is two years old. I read nonsence to him because he loves it. And somehow I feel complete…in a way that I never have. I never knew being a dad would be so cool. It is. And I am so thankful for it.

I sat in a seminar about social media the other day. I consider myself fairly well versed in the topic, but it was nice to hear about many of the different forms out there and how they are used. I also learned about a couple I had never visited. 

There is one thing that was mentioned that has stuck with me. The same social problems that have been around for years exist within the world of social media, and those problems can be magnified because of it.

The presenter told us that there have been studies done linking Facebook with the rising divorce rate. After attending the seminar I came home to see if I could find any articles that spoke on the subject. One writer estimated that within five years Facebook would be one of the largest outlets for infidelity that man has ever known. Who knows if that is true, but think of the implications. 

As social networking grows, our ability to connect with people we haven’t seen in years increases. What about that boyfriend/girlfriend from high school? Or that summertime relationship from camp? Or the one you met your senior year spring break in Cancun? Fifteen years ago those connections would have been long lost. Now it is as easy as point and click. It is very easy to reconnect. And sometimes very dangerous.

I am an advocate for marriage. It drives me nuts when I hear people talking about how marriage isn’t what it used to be. I say that it is not marriage that has gone wrong. It is that person’s marriage. Marriage is comprised of two people who have vowed to walk with each other through all of life, the good and the bad. It is two individuals who have chosen to be one. Problems arise when one of the individuals (or both) start making choices that damage the union. It is not marriage that has gone wrong, but the individual that has chosen poorly. 

When someone chooses to get online and reconnect with old love interests it can create tension and excitement. You were really into them at one point in time and you find that there is still electricity there. It is exciting, but oh so dangerous. If you are married, this is very thin ice to tread on. Why have you contacted them? What is to be gained by reconnecting? If you are just saying hello after many years (and your spouse is fully aware of the contact) I see no issue with it. However, if you start having deep conversations behind your spouses back it can lead to emotional infidelity, which can lead to full blown affairs.

I was discussing all of this the other night over dinner with friends. We all are very committed to our marriages and can see how social networking can facilitate inappropriate relationships. In the discussion I made a comment that seemed to fit. The grass is not only greenest on the side where you water, it is greenest on the side where there are difficulties. When we work through hard times together it fertilizes our relationships. We have the chance to grow together through the good times and bad. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it.

I love my wife with all that I am. I want my actions and words to reflect that. If that means that there are people I have to deny Facebook requests from then so be it. We have been married 11 years now and it has been the most rewarding time of my life. We have grown up a lot. She has helped shape me into a man that I am proud to be. I know I have been a positive influence on her as well. We have worked hard to be where we are. I would not for one moment want to throw it away for someone that I either dumped or got dumped by, or for anyone else for that matter.

Social problems are the same as they have always been. Social media has helped magnify them. If there are problems in your relationship, I doubt they will be fixed online talking to an ex.

Have you encountered this? Have you had Facebook requests from old flames? How have you responded?

I ride a motorcycle. Every chance I get. I enjoy the wind blowing all around me. The feel of the highway. The smell of the air. It is one of my favorite things to do.

I am extremely aware when I am on the motorcycle. I know that if I don’t pay attention, I don’t have anything around me to protect me (seatbelt, airbag, etc). For this reason I watch and I respond.

I was driving down I 44 the other day and was 8 feet behind and to the right of the car in front of me. I was gaining on them. Without warning (or a blinker) the cut over into my lane and sped up. I suppose they remembered they had to be somewhere and quit Sunday driving. Or they had their head in the clouds. I don’t know. I got upset in a hurry.

I got into their lane and shot forward. I pulled up beside and looked in their window. I wanted them to realize that they just did a dangerous (and inconsiderate) thing. Had I not hit the break when they cut in front of me I would have run into them. I didn’t yell at the person. I didn’t swear at the person. I did express my displeasure. Feeling like I made my point, I rode off.

I am responsible for me. In whatever situation. I am responsible for me. I have to make good decisions. There are times that other peoples lives can be affected by those decisions. If I don’t pay attention when I drive, a wife and son could lose a husband and father. That isn’t going to happen on my watch.

I know that things happen that are out of my control, but God willing, if I watch what I am doing, I will make it home…and so will they guy in the red Toyota Corolla.