Mountains or Beach? Neither

Welcome back. You belong here.

One thing about moving to CO from CA is that people have assumptions. First, people assume that we're rich which we're not (can you say low housing market?). Second is that we miss the beach. I don't surf, so I don't miss the beach that way, but what I do miss is the ocean breeze and seeing the ocean, running next to it.

And I don't like the mountains either, I'm not into skiing, hiking, fishing, snow boarding. What I am is a CITY PERSON.

I like cities, their diversity, their people, cultures, I like what a city brings in its night life, clubs, sporting events, freeways and no I don't miss the traffic or crime.

So when people ask me "do you miss the beach?", or when people say "you'll love it here, do you snowboard?" my answer is always the same, "I am a city person." So my two favorite spots here in CO so far are: downtown Denver and downtown Arvada, CO.

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

I Am What I Miss

Welcome back. You belong here.

What do I miss about Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA? (the short list):
1. Diversity - Latinos, Cambodians, Philippinos, African American, etc. etc.
2. People of different backgrounds as friends, learning from each other, sharing life together, from children to teenagers and adults
3. Thinking about the world not just local news
4. Nice shoes, clothes, hairstyles
5. Style
6. Sense of community, those that love So Cal, feel they belong to something special
7. Carne Asada
8. Spanish
9. The weather, the weather, nice sunny days with a light breeze
10. The ocean
11. People we know
12. Streets we know
13. Freeways and quick access to everything
14. Our family
15. Our neighborhood, our home

I realize that a lot of what I miss is who I am, especially when it comes to diversity.

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

Walking with God

Welcome back. You belong here.

I don't remember many times when I could say
I've walked with God
Except during times of crisis, times of despair
When I was almost forced to do so

What do I mean, "walk with God?"
To ask versus talk, to listen

I hardly ask anyone for anything
My way to cope is to be in control
Control by learning, control by doing
Control myself, control others

And when things don't go my way
Depression or anger are the two emotions
That tell me that something's wrong

Do you know people that talk this way:
"I was talking to God the other day," or
"God, tell me what to do in this situation."

I know people like that
They walk with God
They talk and listen
They have what appears to be an "on going conversation"

I asked a mentor about this once
"How did you learn to walk with God?"...
"I haven't always been this way"
"I learned this after trying everything else"
"Nothing else seemed to work"
"I realized I need to walk this way"

That's my problem
Most times I feel I don't need to walk this way
I got it under control
I'm supposed to do it myself

When you're in control
And you want to do it your way
When pride and selfishness
Self-justification or hurt
Cause you to want to control everything around you
It doesn't matter what God or others say
You're doing all the talking

But when you learn to ask
To seek and listen
To walk with God
Things seem slower
You don't have to have all the answers
You don't seem to rush to get things done

You're dependent on something greater
And you feel, how can I put it,
Like you're leaning on someone else
Don't get me wrong, it's still you in that moment
But you feel like you're walking with a friend

Once upon a time
There were two friends walking along
They were talking about the recent events
Of how their best friend had suffered
Of how they missed him
Suddenly a stranger approached them
And joined their conversation
He walked along side of them

And this friend spoke to them from his life
With perspective and wisdom
Of people from the past that brought wisdom and hope

"Did you notice how are hearts were warmed as we walked?"
That's what it must feel like to walk with God

Last week during an hour or two
I think I walked with God
It felt great
I hope I can do it again

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

Where is Home?

Welcome back. You belong here.

It's good to be home, but where exactly is home?
The sea breeze, the palm trees
Running without a shirt on
The people, the world is here
Friends I miss, people I love
My family
This is home

Yet...

The mountains and open space
The new opportunities, a fresh start
The chance to be at a grass roots level
The chance to change the world

So, where is home?

Earlier today I was driving up to a park to see some friends
As I approached the curve side there was a woman, two little girls
And a little boy
Their faces were familiar, their smiles warmed my heart
They were my family

So I told myself, really, wherever they are, is home
Wherever we are, I'm home
Wherever God says to go
That's where I belong

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

What Kind of Cleaning is Spring Cleaning?

Welcome back. You belong here.

Boxes, boxes and more boxes...moving does that, boxes everywhere you look. So today, as I sorted through tons of stuff (too much stuff), something interesting happened.

Today I got rid of a ton of files, pictures, music, folders, books I've read. They all represent a time and a place in my life that is now over.

It's amazing how much of my previous life has ended, I guess it's all still in me as life never leaves, but there are things that are no longer in front, they're now behind me.

So as I sort through stuff I find myself feeling better. I am looking forward to new books, making new memories, to living in a new present. It sort of feels like someone has died and I'm getting rid of all their stuff.

Spring cleaning? Well, it's 20 degrees and snowing right now, my fingers are almost frozen. But something about this process makes me look forward to the future and I guess that's what spring is all about. It's The Spring of My Soul.

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT