Today’s a new day! Go where your celebrated,not where your tolerated. Protect your peace. Always be who you were created to be. ~OC
Memories
Sitting back reflecting on the chapters of my life
Wondering where all the time went
I can’t believe all the memories and blessings God has given me over the years
The chapters of my life come flooding back
I keep those memories close
It seems like some happened yesterday, but 40 years have passed But those memories with friends from the 80’s stay in my heart
still so fresh in my mind
and I will keep them close as always
Memories from my past are memories forever
Today’s memories may be a little harder to recall,
but those memories from the past stay in my heart and mind forever
Those beautiful memories will never fade
In God’s hands a lifetime of memories is not too long
To keep those memories in my mind
Living in hope, I would love to add another chapter or two to my collection of beautiful memories, for when that day comes that memories are all I have
I will hold the memories of our love close. Memories from today may be a little harder to recall, but those memories of saying “I do” back in ‘99 will stay fresh in my mind
It won’t even seem I’ve gone. You’ll still be a beautiful memory in my mind
‘Cause our love is bigger than any disease
We will hold onto the love that keeps us strong
Memories from my past are memories forever
Today’s memories may be a little harder to recall,
but those memories from yesterday’s past stay in my heart and never fade
They stay forever in my mind
In God’s hands a lifetime of memories, is not too long
To keep those memories in my mind
Memories with family and friends
Are memories forever
I will hold them close
Never forgetting the laughter and joy
The memories made so long ago
Will be what I take when the days begin to fade
Memories from my past are memories forever
Today’s memories may be a little harder to recall,
but those memories from yesterday’s past stay in my heart and never fade
They stay forever in my mind
In God’s hands a lifetime of memories is not too long
To keep those memories in my mind
Though it’s hard to recall moments from today
In the Father’s hands I know
That a lifetime’s not too long
To keep those beautiful old memories fresh in my mind. ~OC
Grateful
Today’s a new day! I’m grateful this morning for another day to breathe, to think and make more memories with my bride, friends and family.
I’m grateful for my cup of ice tea and a cool breeze on our balcony.
I am grateful for the anticipation of this new day.
I am grateful to be living in peace.
I’m grateful to still be alive, now, in this place and at this time. I’m ever-thankful for the extra time God has given me.
I am grateful for the freedom to write in my hometown and to write whatever, however, whenever I please.
I am grateful for the amazing people God has brought my way on this crazy beautiful health journey. Thankful to have met so many creative and loving people over the past twenty-two years.
I am grateful for the friends who have stuck with me through thick and thin.
I am thankful that my gratitude stretches around the world with all the people who have walked this journey with me through this blog and my other social media pages.
I am grateful to live in love, hope and peace and cherish this day that the Lord has given me. ~OC
Forgiveness
In Matthew 6:9-15 we read the following words:
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
This is just one of many lessons Jesus taught us about unforgiveness. He shared on numerous occasions about not allowing unforgiveness to reside in our hearts. God shared those who refuse to forgive others will not be forgiven by the Father. Be careful not to misunderstand Jesus’ meaning here. We do not lose our salvation when we refuse to forgive others. Rather, we break fellowship with God because an unrepentant attitude interferes with regular confession and turning away from sin.
Forgiveness is an act of the will more than an act of the heart. We do not often feel like showing mercy or forgiveness to someone who’s wronged us, but but that’s exactly what we’re called to do (Matthew 5:38-40). A resentful spirit grows into a terrible burden. God knows that forgiveness is best, even when it is difficult. Claim the divine mercy He offers, and ask Him to enable you to lay aside your frustrations, anger and resentment. As part of the decision to move forward in grace, make a habit of praying for those who hurt you. And if God so leads, seek their forgiveness for your wrong attitude or actions.
A bitter spirit doesn’t fit who we are in our relationship with God. That’s why there are so many scriptures about forgiveness. We have to choose to be liberated from our burdens and unforgiveness. Did you catch that? We have to make the choice. God promised to make us free when we choose to believe and obey Him (John 8:31-32). Freedom from our burdens sounds pretty good to me. ~OC
True Friendships
Today’s a new day! True friends never make you feel like a burden. A true friend is never burdened with stressful promises and obligations. When true friends step up, it’s because they care and because they want to.
Don’t chase after friendships. True friendships don’t need to be chased. If someone is a true friend and wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You should never have to fight for a spot in their life. Never, ever force yourself on someone who continuously overlooks your worth. ~OC
Dear…,
Today’s a new day!
Dear……,
I want you to know, first and foremost, how special you are. Those are not words to make you feel better. Whether you realize it or not, your life matters.
I want you to know how you light up the world with your smile when you show it off. So please, show it off more. You use more of your face muscles when you smile, so stretch it out so wide that it hurts and remember when you grow old and see wrinkles around your mouth that you got them from smiling.
I know people are trying to reach out to you to tell you that everything is going to be alright and that they’re there for you. Please – and I cannot stress this enough – do not push them away or shut them out. You may not want to hear it, but those family members, friends, and coworkers are there for you and would do anything to help.
So, give them a chance even when you don’t think they’ll understand your pain. You’ll never know if you do not let them in. You’re feeling alone right now. So alone that you don’t think anyone can see all the pain you’re going through.
I want you to know I see you, okay? I can see the pain written all over your face because I know the look of someone trying so hard to pretend like they’re alright when they’re crumbling on the inside. You’re not alone, you have people in your life, and even people you didn’t see coming, who are more than willing to reach out and be there for you.
I know you feel like you cannot get through this current storm. I know it seems like your world is crumbling all around and you cannot find the strength to get back up. Your days are spent isolated in your house, and you cannot eat, sleep or find the strength to move from the comfort and safety of your bed. You have lost the ambition to go outside and breathe in the fresh air. Can I share a little truth with you? I have been where you’re at. I did a pretty good job hiding it, so most people even those closest to me didn’t even notice it. Some days I was barely holding on.
So, I encourage you to hang in there. You’re important to this world and have so much talent and so many amazing ideas to give. You have a light inside you that lights up the world. So keep holding on.
Please, continue to take one day at a time. Keep leaning into the loving arms and promises of God. It’s so easy to want all the answers right this moment, but this life is not a 30 minute tv show. I would love to give you a quick fix, but that could possibly rob you of some amazing lessons God is trying to teach you in this moment. But I can promise you this. We will get through this together. Keep holding on. ~OC
You Matter!
Today’s a new day! You may not realize it or feel it now, but you inspire people just by being you. It may seem what you’re going through right now is too overwhelming, but your breakthrough is coming. You have touched so many lives. So today is not the day to give up. Because there is somebody out there that needs your smile, your laughter and your encouraging words. They need you. So today, I want you to keeping fighting, to keep pushing through those tough moments. I want to encourage you that these hard days are just temporary. This journey called life is not always easy, but it’s worth living. Even through those tough moments. Life is better with you in it. I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC
Some Lessons Learned Along the Way….
Today’s a new day! As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey, I have learned many lessons. Here are just a couple:
*Caregivers have the toughest job. As a patient, I have a game plan laid out and designed by my medical team. There is really no playbook for the caregivers. Each day is a new experience for them. So if you have a friend or loved one who is a caregiver, please check on them. Offer to help in any way you can.
*Every patient has a starting point and an ending point. Of course, the starting point is the day of the diagnosis and the endpoint is the day the patient takes their last breath. But the adventures, laughs, tears and memories in between those two dates are what everyone will remember. Make the choice to truly embrace every moment of this crazy beautiful health journey. ~OC
I Choose
Today’s a new day! As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, I will strive to live out the following:
I will choose to stay in touch with friends
I will choose every day to be a better person
I will choose to be happy
I will choose to share hope and love
I will choose to look for the good in people
I will choose to forgive and share grace
I will choose to speak out against injustice
I will choose to encourage others
I will choose to have the courage to express my thoughts and feelings
I will choose to have the courage to truly live out the life I was created to live, not the life others except from me.
I will choose to begin and end every day with praise, prayer and thanksgiving. ~OC
The Long Goodbye
Today’s a new day! As most of you know, I am in the twenty-second year of this crazy beautiful health journey. On more than one occasion, Laura and I have been told I only had hours, weeks or months to live. So my health journey has sort of become a long goodbye. I was diagnosed with dementia a month ago, so I have spent a little more time reflecting on my life and this journey. Sometimes, I feel like a rockstar or band that is on a continuous farewell tour. Here are some words that came to my mind.
The Long Goodbye
This long goodbye brings with it many different emotions
This long goodbye is filled with moments of crying out to God; some days are filled with questions, but most days are filled with praise and thanksgiving
Praise and thanksgiving? How could that be?
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to live. I mean really live. From skydiving to meeting a former President, my life has been filled with amazing moments
This long goodbye, has given me the opportunity to love my bride longer than the experts predicted
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to spend more time with friends, make new friends and reconnect with some old friends
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to make more mistakes and learn some valuable lessons from those mistakes
This long goodbye has given me the beautiful opportunity to realize life is not all about me
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to serve others
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to receive and share the beautiful gift of forgiveness
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to grow as a person
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to become a runner, write two books, have a movie made about my life and write a song that is on an actual album
This long goodbye has given me with the beautiful opportunity to meet some amazing people
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to share and receive hope, love and encouragement
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to laugh, cry and reflect
This long goodbye has given me the opportunity to share the story God gave me so many years ago
I am thankful for this long goodbye and the beautiful gifts it has given me. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 