Under control. This has a negative connotation doesn’t it? It can. To be under someone’s control is to be at their bidding. Do you trust the person? Do they have your best interest in mind? Are they asking things of you that will make you a better person? Or are they using you? To be under someone else’s control can be a very unsettling feeling.

It can also have a very positive meaning. To be under control means you are operating within a set of guidelines. You are performing well. You are succeeding. A man who can control himself (his tongue and his actions and his thoughts) is a man who can change the world around him. Someone that is under control can respond well as things come at them. It is purposeful action. This leads to somewhere specific.

You can look around and see many examples today of men and women who are not in control of themselves or their world. (I say this knowing that you can not control every aspect of your world, but you can make decisions that lead to many more positive outcomes that negative ones.) How many people do you see in the drive through line at the local fast food place who are quite obviously unhealthy? How many people have you seen that are extremely bright, but can’t put down the beer long enough to find focus? How many people do you know who would rather spend four to six hours an evening on the couch watching TV as opposed to exercising, reading, playing with family, or other lasting activities? We live in a world that has lost control.

Many people want to find this. They want their lives to be lived with purpose. Many feel like they are wandering with no hope of finding direction. Do you know how this feels? I do. I know the feeling very well. I spent most of a decade feeling this way. You feel lost. Your brain is fuzzy. You want to do things, but always find excuses not to. Then, one day, you wake up and look in the mirror and you don’t recognize who you see. Where there stood a person full of life and vigor stands an overweight and under motivated individual who has lost most of his drive and focus.

The cold hard truth is this: we are always under control. If we are not making conscious choices for ourselves and our futures we are in trouble. There is a whole world full of people out there willing to take you the way they want you to go.

My armor is not as shiny as it once was. Armor that has been used rarely is. It is well made. It has withstood the attacks and we survive. My lady is safe. This is my achievement. My lady is safe. She is cared for. She is loved.

I can say with a quiet assurance that she see no issue when she looks at me. She knows my love for her as I know hers. She is mine and I am hers. I will fight for her. I will defend her. With my last breath if needed.

In days long ago another tried to take up the shield and sword to defend her. His armor was polished as was his sword, but they were both poorly made. His armor cracked and his sword shattered when trouble came. He fled when attacked and he left her all alone in the wild.

I found her soon after. I befriended her and bade her come with me. I sought to know her mind, heart and soul. She is a jewel that is beyond compare. A beauty that knows no equal. Hers is a love like I have never know. Together we have traveled far and have farther to travel still.

Yes. My armor is thick and heavy and does not shine too brightly. Its dull finish is a reminder to those who would try that this knight has known battle and has won. I will not take the armor off to polish it, for my lady must not suffer attack. For her will I always stand at the guard.

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.