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
The Election is Over…Now What?
Today’s a new day! The election is over…now what? ~OC
Our nation has spent the last few years tearing each other apart. Now, as the 2024 election results have been tabulated and Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States of America, we have a tough task staring us in the face. We must pull ourselves together as one nation. We must make the choice to reach across the aisle and find a way to work together.
That family member, friend or neighbor that you exchanged unflattering names with is still in your life today. Nobody is moving out of the country. Or the house. So will we continue to flip them “the bird” or will we extend a hand and find a way to carry on in a loving and respectful way?
As I write this blog post, the American people have spoken. Half of America will wake up celebrating this morning and the other half will want to stay under the covers. So this Wednesday morning we have a new President-Elect, many laws and amendments have been passed or rejected.
So the political commercials are over, no more political phone calls /text or political rallies. So, now what?
During times like this we tend to turn to music to soothe our souls and help us through the uncertain times of life. Here is the chorus to the 1985 classic That’s What Friends Are For:
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for
One of the challenges of relationships is disagreement. Yesterday, those disagreements were not settled in a voting booth. But today, it’s time to move forward and return to being civilized neighbors and friends. If we cannot manage that, we will have lost the ability to be caring and respectful human beings.
Today, I will continue to pray for America. Today, I will continue to stand up and speak out for what’s right. Today, I will continue to respect those I disagree with. Today, I will continue to look at what unites us over what divides us. Today, I will continue to choose love over hate. I will probably not be perfect in that area. But I will surely try.
Do I have concerns about the future of America? Yes, I do. But I will continue to use the power of the written word to share my concerns and challenge others to speak out. I will not be silent.
But today, as I turn to my family, friends and neighbors the words of singer/songwriter Randy Newman come to mind:
“When the road looks rough ahead
And you’re miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you’ve got a friend in me
Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me.”
Love Through Our Differences
Today’s a new day! Well, it’s finally here. After months of political ads, speeches, debates and political rallies, it’s finally Election Day. In a few hours, or possibly a few weeks we will have a new president. But sadly, this election and the last few elections have divided America. Everyone has their opinions and sometimes are not open to other points of view.
In our current political climate, it seems almost impossible for anyone to cross party aisles. And if our elected officials cannot bring themselves to be open-minded to opposing views, what hope is there for the rest of us? Navigating a relationship with a family member or friend who has different political views than you do isn’t easy. But it can be done. It will take some hard work and open minds, but we can walk away from the 2024 election still loving our family and friends. Here are a few steps we can take to make sure our relationships are intact after today’s vote.
Be Curious: Ask questions. Take the time to find out about why someone thinks the way they do and share your experiences. We do not need to be condescending when sharing our political points of view. Do not make people feel stupid if they have questions. Instead, encourage them to continue asking questions. This is how we get to know each other. Our differences should be something we celebrate. Not demonize.
Listen: It’s easy to tell yourself you are open-minded. But when your family member or friend has an entirely different political viewpoint you may find yourself wanting to defend your beliefs instead of listening to theirs. It’s important to resist that impulse. If you’re taking the time to sit down and discuss a certain topic, both of you need to be really present in the conversation. Distractions should be kept to a minimum as you engage in conversation.
So how do you and your loved ones actively listen to each other? One way to do this is by reiterating the point you just heard them make by saying “This is what I heard you say, am I correct?”. This allows your family member/friend to confirm this or correct themselves if it didn’t come across in the way they hoped it would. In return, your family/friend should offer you the same courtesy. The whole point of a discussion is to see how someone arrived at their opinion; Arguing over why their opinion is wrong is not.
Monitor Your Reaction: When you are having a spirited conversation about political differences that you know both you and your family/friend are passionate about, there are ways to ensure that the discussion will not get heated. Before jumping in, take some time to organize your thoughts. By allowing yourself to take a breath you lessen the risk of saying something angry and disrespectful. If there is a point when voices are being raised or volatility is starting to take over, that’s your cue to take a timeout and return to the discussion when you are both level-headed enough to continue. Even a simple “Hey, this is important and I want to talk about it, but I’m feeling pretty upset right now. Maybe we can talk tomorrow?” can make a huge difference.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: It’s more than a Aretha Franklin song. There is nothing wrong with questioning your beliefs. Although, to be honest, it can be terrifying when it happens.
We allow ourselves to be open to new ideas when we question what we originally thought we knew. Though, keep in mind, your family/friend should never force their beliefs on you. A supportive family member or friend would never try to influence your opinions. Instead, they would tell you this is how they see an issue and that how you process that information is up to you.
There you go. Not every relationship can survive political differences. Sadly, that’s just part of life. However, if you find yourself in a conversation with a family member or friend with different political beliefs or opinions than you, open and honest communication is going to be more important than ever. Do not be afraid to talk to each other about your opinions and ask questions if you want to know more. The key is to always be respectful of each other’s thoughts and feelings. After all, love has no political affiliations. ~OC
Vote, Vote, Vote
Today’s a new day! Thankfully, the 2024 election season is almost over. I must be honest with you. I have been repulsed by the behavior of the former president and how so many people have continued to defend and make excuses for him. Just when you think Mr. Trump’s rhetoric cannot get any worse, I present the following.
Former President Donald Trump used apparent technical issues during a rally this past Friday to toy with the idea of attacking people working the event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“You’ve got to be kidding. Do you want to see me knock the hell out of people backstage?” asked the former president who called it a “pretty stupid situation” after rallygoers chanted “fix the mic” during his speech.
He later added: “I get so angry. I’m up here seething. I’m seething. I’m working my ass off with this stupid mic. I’m blowing out my left arm. Now I’m going to blow out my right arm and I’m blowing out my damn throat, too, because these stupid people.”
Trump also complained about the low height of microphone stands at his events and showed how he would work around such issues, bobbing his head up and down in what many observers suggested was an imitation of oral sex.
The remarks in Milwaukee came just one day after he suggested at an Arizona event that former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) would be less of a “radical war hawk” if she experienced guns being “trained on her face.”
Cheney — who has endorsed Trump’s 2024 rival, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris— condemned his imagined scenario, saying: “This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death.”
Then at a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday, the former president said he would be okay with someone trying to assassinate him by firing through a group of journalists. “To get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don’t mind that so much,” Trump said, when discussing the bulletproof glass protecting him.
As the nation votes today, I still cannot understand how people can continue to support a man who is clearly not fit for the office of President or any other elected office. I will continue to pray for each of the candidates and America. God help us. ~OC
The “Hypothetical Game”
Today’s a new day! A few weeks ago, I wrote about the “What If” game (10/22/24). Today as our nation votes for a new president, I want to write about the “Hypothetical Game.”
As most of you know, the abortion issue will be a major factor for many as they head to the polls today. That is the only reason some people are voting for former President Trump and against Vice-President Harris. But let’s play the “Hypothetical Game.”
But before we play this game, I have to share I believe life matters from the womb to the grave. But I am also concerned about the women who have to make one of the toughest decisions they’ll ever have to make in life. Their lives matter too. And as a man, I will never have to make that tough decision.
I also want to speak to the Christian community about our part in this abortion debate. As I heard many of my Christian friends celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this question came to my mind. “How many babies are you going to adopt, since Roe has been overturned?” Pretty much complete silence and as of 11/5/24, still mostly crickets.
Then we have the foster care system in the United States. It continues to grow. I believe those number will only get bigger in the coming years. I have a few friends who have stepped up and fostered or adopted children out of the foster care system. They are true heroes to me. But I have to be honest. I have more friends and acquaintances, who continue to complain about the evils of abortion and how sad the foster care system is, but have not stepped up to foster or adopt one of those precious children they love to talk about.
But let’s get back to the “Hypothetical Game.”
If the former president wins, a national abortion ban could follow (I do not believe Trump is being honest when he says he won’t sign it). The ban could establish criminal penalties for women who get abortions. And that’s not all.
It’s not a stretch to see each state begin to add language or emphasis to mandatory reporter laws – which require people in certain professions to report to authorities reasonable suspicions of child abuse and neglect – to include reporting women who have had abortions or who are contemplating having an abortion.
Pastors are mandatory reporters, so anything that falls under that statute is exempt from confidentiality.
So, let’s say a woman comes into a pastor’s office and she’s grieving over recently having an abortion. She doesn’t know if God will forgive her, and she’s seeking counsel on how to move forward in her faith. In this scenario, instead of ministering to her, the pastor would have to notify the authorities and report the woman as a criminal. If a pastor chooses their calling over the legal mandate, they could face civil or criminal penalties.
If that’s not government overreach into the role of a church, I don’t know what is.
Likewise, health care workers are mandatory reporters.
So, let’s say a woman walks into a faith-based pregnancy care center, an act that by its very nature indicates she is open to keeping her baby or discussing adoption. During her visit, she tells a nurse she has seriously consulted someone about having an abortion. By law, in this scenario, the nurse might have to report that.
As a consequence, it would be easy to see how illegal, and unsafe, abortions would rise as faith-based pregnancy care centers shutter and churches become less effective as a refuge.
So a vote for someone other than Trump looks pretty “pro-life” by comparison.
When the fate of the Constitution is on the ballot, nothing else should matter. A vote for the so called “pro-life” candidate could tremendously jeopardize the legitimate faith community’s ability to function – not to mention upend everyone else’s basic civil rights. A win for Vice-President Harris, even if she is pro-choice will uphold the Constitution and work within the strictures of our institutions.
In short, Vice-President Harris keeps Christians in the ballgame to minister to the poor, needy and heavy-laden without fear of government interference, not riding the bench as so many in America continue to suffer. ~OC
People
Today’s a new day! As we continue to walk through this journey called life, people will come in and out of our lives.
People will come into our lives to teach us life lessons
People will come into our lives to inspire us
People will come into our lives to share truth
People will come into our lives for just a season
People will come into our lives to stand with us
People will come into our lives to try and divide us
People will come into our lives to bring us laughter
People will come into our lives to cry with us
People will come into our lives to face tough moments with us
People will come into our lives to teach us to live out our dreams
People will come into our lives to encourage us
People will come into our lives to share hope
People will come into our lives to teach to think outside of our comfort zones
People will come into our lives to help us stand up for what’s right
People will come into our lives to help challenge us
People will come into our lives to be part of our journey.
There is a reason for everyone God brings into our lives. Do not miss out on these beautiful opportunities. ~OC
My NYC Marathon Experience…Almost
Today’s a new day! The New York City Marathon is this morning. I will watch it on tv and root for each of the runners. I will also spend a moment reflecting on my NYC Marathon experience that never happened.
Back in 2010, I should have been in New York City with the other 45,344 runners competing that day. But on that Sunday morning, I was in the hospital fighting for my life. It would be another nine years before I would even have the ability to lace up my running shoes and attempt to run. Unfortunately, that would be a short lived experience as my health took another turn for the worse.
I still look back on my running days more with a smile than I do with disappointment, but I must admit missing that 2010 NYC Marathon is still one of my biggest regrets of my running career. The opportunity to be at the starting line with thousands of other runners, to experience the excitement of hearing the starting gun go off, to run through the streets of NYC with thousands of people cheering the runners on and crossing that finish line is a memory I miss from my running days. It is a moment I will always wonder about.
But this Sunday morning, like I have been doing for many years, I will be watching and cheering on each of the runners blessed with the amazing opportunity to run the NYC Marathon. There will also be a moment where I will imagine myself running through the finish line with my arms raised high. You can never really take the runner out of the runner.
Best wishes for all of the runners fulfilling your dreams of running in the NYC Marathon today. Embrace every minute of every single mile. I will be cheering you on. Go Get It! ~OC
Glass Houses
Today’s a new day!
Today we all live in glass houses
So we should all lay down our stones
And stop judging
In a world full of social media, our lives are on full display
Our thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes are open for the world to see
We live with a digital footprint in our glass houses
Our lives become targets of the same things we judge, criticize, tear down or praise
Our voices lead us to either reason or hypocrisy when we click on those keys, when we leave a comment or choose to heart that image
We need not to be so quick to pick up that stone right after stepping foot outside our beautifully constructed glass home
Be mindful…
Be careful…
Be thoughtful…
Be loving…
Be respectful…
Be kind..
Be forgiving…
Be slow to repudiate what we see in others…
Because we see clearly what’s going on in your home… it’s made out of glass. ~OC
Decency and Character
Today’s a new day! Good morning family, friends and anyone else who decides to read this blog post. This morning I want to discuss two words…Decency and Character. Both mean something to me.
During my career, I had the honor of interviewing many people for positions with the different organizations I worked for. Of course, I always looked at the applicants resume and qualifications for the open job position. But during the interview I looked for someone with character and decency. Not always the easiest thing to do in a short period of time, but I wanted to hire someone who would be a great worker, but more importantly I wanted to hire someone that would bring a positive impact to the team. A person with character and decency.
I believed then and I still believe decency and character matter. When we hire someone don’t we hope they will be a decent person? Someone we can trust. A person of high character.
Decency and Character matter to me as a human being and as a Christian.
I believe decency and character matters to you. We take note of the person who pays their debts. We appreciate the physician who takes time to listen. We appreciate the teacher who takes time for the struggling student, when the employee refuses to gossip about their co-worker, when the losing team congratulates the winning team, we can characterize their behavior with two words… Decency and Character.
We appreciate decency and character. We applaud those who carry themselves with decency and character. Parents teach their children the importance of decency and character. We seek to develop both. Decency and Character matter, right?
Then why isn’t decency and character a factor in the presidential race?
A former President, who is running again for the highest office in the land would not pass my decency or character interview. I would send him packing.
I do not personally know Donald Trump, but shutter at his antics. He ridiculed a war hero and has continuously mocked those in the military. He constantly makes fun of people and loves to pass out nasty nicknames. He has called his political opponents stupid and losers. He has shared a political opponent should have nine guns pointed at her. He has proudly shared these comments online and at his rallies.
Such insensitivities wouldn’t even be acceptable in a middle school student body election. But for the Oval Office? And to do so while brandishing a Bible and boasting of his Christian faith? I’m bewildered, both by his behavior and the public’s support of it.
I believe the explanation for his success is this: he has tapped into the anger of many American people. As one man interviewed stated, “We are voting with our middle finger.” Sounds more like a comment for a middle school fight than a presidential election. We can look back at Cain and Abel and see how anger has brought out the worst in people.
I continue to pray for the return of decency and character to the United States. I pray the American people will vote against hate on Tuesday November 5th. I pray the majority of Americans will remember the key role of the president is to be the face of America. When he/she speaks, he/she speaks for us. Whether we agree or disagree with the policies of the president, we hope that they behave in a way that is consistent with the status of the office of the President.
As far as I can remember, I never regretted turning away a applicant who did not show character or decency. The people I chose to hire were not perfect, but they were decent people. That was all I could ask.
It seems that we should ask the same on November 5th. ~OC
Joy Filled Life
Today’s a new day! I think most people want to live a positive, joy filled life. I know I do. Here are four things I believe can help us achieve that goal.
*Fill our hearts and minds with positive thoughts. Let’s refuse to allow our hearts and minds to be filled with negativity.
*Fill our speech with positive words. Let’s guard what comes out of our mouths and what we share on social media.
*Fill our lives with positive places and situations. Where are you spending your time?
*Fill our lives with positive, joy filled people. Remember, we get to choose who we allow into our lives.
I hope you will spend some time reflecting on these four points today. I pray your day is filled with amazing moments and God’s blessings. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 