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.

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.