Life has changed, but not ended.

It's a line that's recited at all Catholic funeral services. It's a good reminder especially when things don't go as planned or we find ourselves in great despair or just overwhelming situations.

I guess that's the thing about anything challenging, draining, humbling, or difficult. We will definitely be changed by these experiences. But it could be for the worse, if we keep acting like it is the end; acting like there's no hope.

The way I see it, if hope is lost, so goes the will to make life worth living. I guess it comes down to a couple of things. Of course it always comes down to the individual to choose hope over despair. Secondly, it's those who care for the person to not just remind them to hope, but to be a concrete example of what hope is. Something tangible, real and just as human as they are.

I do know that a lot of people out there need hope. There just might not be as many people to bring it.

Love is responsibility.

In the giving, in the receiving, in the nurturing of it, there should be a deep sense of accountability.

Things fall apart, when all we do is point fingers at everybody else but ourselves.

One of the greatest things about being dad is... I'm learning to be a more well-rounded man.

Thank You Audrey Stella.

Man's greatest gift and greatest curse. It's the one thing that can make you a better person and the worst person at the same time.

So be careful when swinging this double edged sword around. It'll either maim or protect the precious things in your life. From self-esteem, faith, relationships, career path, happiness, fulfillment... well pretty much everything.

So don't just choose because you can. Aimlessly swinging this sharp blade simply because it's in your possession. That's dangerous and exhausting. Choose because it means something. Swing that sword like you know why it's in your hands in the first place.

Are our lives constantly shaped by circumstances? Or are we living in a way in which we shape our own circumstances?

Or to put in even simpler... are we living from the inside out? or the outside in? Are we digging deep into our souls to respond as best we can especially when isht hits the fan? Or are we being constantly pushed around by the things on the outside of us that we can't control?

I know life is not meant to be easy or comfortable. By accepting this simple fact, I've taken half the stress out of my every day life. I'm not saying I'm free from heartache, disappointment or anything bad for that matter. What I do know is that I should always choose wisely how I react, how long I dwell on negativity, how much I complain, and how much looking into the past for 'what-ifs.' Basically... how long do I want to be a victim for?

From what I've observed and gathered, victims really live from the 'outside in.' While victors (or people who want to be victorious!) live from the 'inside out.'

For myself, I'm really trying to win at this life thing. I've only got one chance to win, because I know no one else can win it for me.

*now play "Lose Yourself" by Eminem* and read this again as it plays.

Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:6

I heard this reading at mass the other day, and it got me thinking about the immediate future. I've been more than seriously considering pushing through with a vision that has been in my mind for the past 2 years. A lot of circumstances have changed since then (as in... I'm now a husband and a father), but still this vision has been even clearer and even more specific since it was conceived.

The vision is bascially a small business. I don't want to give away too many details, but let me tell you... it has the potential to be more than a business, but a community that empowers, connects and engages people. Because in the end, a true vision completely involves people as opposed to a business which is really just concerned about the bottom line.

Now that I'm a family man, and a hopeful entrepeneur, it makes a lot of things uncertain. As a true man who wants to provide for a family, a new business venture can be unstable financially. But if I don't follow this vision, I might be living the in-between job longer than intended...and never showing my kids that dad had enough gumption to believe and achieve.

Basically, if I never take the chance, I'll never reap the blessings. If I never take the risk, I could never fully tell my children "To follow their passion, and their hearts" simply because I never lived those words.

So please say a quick prayer for me, that in the end, I'll make the right decision at the right time. In fact say a prayer for anyone seriously and sincerely on the quest for living an abundant and passionate life.

Life isn't always cut and dry, but our actions should be.

To me... after much searching, praying and seeking I've come to embrace these so called "rules." I truly believe they've provided for me a peace of mind and an endless joy to my everyday life. Don't get me wrong I go through the same range of emotions and challenges just like the next guy... but it's these disciplines that I feel keep me centred.

Imagine this, you're playing a game of basketball. (it's NBA playoffs right now, how appropriate) And all that's running through your mind is trying to stay inbounds, being super careful not to foul anyone, all the while focusing on the referee to make those missed calls. Your mind would definitely not be on playing (or winning) the game, but more-so on trying to not get into any foul trouble and making sure that whistle doesn't get blown because of you.

For me... that's no way to play ball or no way to practice your faith. A good hunk of living our own faith life is knowing the rules but not being ruled by them.We should take the time to know them... but more-so why they're even there in the first place. What's the wisdom behind them, and what are these rules warning us about? What are they trying to protect, so that we can experience and enjoy life the way it was meant?

In the end I know the rules of basketball are there to enhance the overall feel and excitement of the game. It's what makes the game unique, challenging and worth playing. And when it's played with discipline, focus, hard work, and an overall spirit of "i love this game" then it's becomes more than a game, it becomes a part of who we are.

So we have a choice when it comes to faith. Be Ruled by the Rules or Be Free to enjoy your life the way it was meant...

ABUNDANTLY.

Now go on! Be the Lebron James of your life!

hope helps us remember it. faith reminds us that it's possible. and (true) love keeps pushing us forward.

faith. hope. love.

three simple words that can be applied to any complicated situation.

change can be a very tense thing. not just for those undergoing it, but for all those around the 'thing' (thing being person, situation, atmosphere etc.) actually changing. there's unpredictability, excitement, anxiousness, joy, sadness... lot's really going on as the old transforms to something better.

with all that's been being revealed with work right now... change is yet again at the forefront. i can feel it. i'm both overjoyed and yet very nervous. nervous about how people will take to this change.

i was enlightened earlier today by my 'personal consultant' that Jesus called the disciples to transform. from trade fishers to fishers of men. but when all was said and done... they all ended up becoming shepherds.

woah. sit on that for awhile...

The theme for 2009 for our Community/Organization is "Forward in Christ" and it's derived from this verse:

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Phil 3:13-14 (NAV)

A co-worker got me thinking when she briefly mentioned in a conversation "Forward in Christ! But where are we going?"

That really got me thinking. We all know we have to move forward. We all know that in Christ, we're given the strength and means to do so. But where exactly are we going? As a community it's pretty easy to figure out, but as individuals it can get very specific and personal. I think everyone after much reflection can figure out for themselves which way is forward, and what it's going to take to get there. For some it may be a bad habit, a way of thinking, taking action (or stopping that action), a decision that needs to be made, courage to stand up for what's right... man, the list can go on and on.

I guess all I'm saying is... figure out which way is forward. From there... that's on you.