Hello, how are you? It’s been a long time.

I’m hitting the gym twice a week now. I am blessed to now be in the 120 weight range. To this day my weight only bothers me when someone makes a remark about it. From those who notice how little I have on my plate in line during church potluck to the bystanders out of my route to comment on me jogging with a package in my hand.

A couple months ago my wife Courtni gifted me with a handsome, blue acoustic guitar for my birthday. After months of learning tabs, I have graduated unto chords. Hearing the different strings in synch to produce one pleasant sound is the equivalent of hearing two or more voices come together to produce.

Last week, I learned how to play basic chords for one song. Going from one chord to another is going to take some time to get used to. Normally I play with my fingers, but this time I used a guitar pick for a better sound. Being a rightie, my biggest obstacle is the placement of my left fingers on the scale. I have finally decided on a name for my instrument. From this day on my acoustic’s name is Harmony. Do you have a name for any of your instruments?

After strumming the guitar for a little while, I put my lips and lungs to work on my harmonicas. In honor of American Independence Day, I played the Star-Spangled Banner. Learning to play all these instruments is pushing me to learn how to read music. For almost a lifetime I have learned music by listening with some sight reading. As cliched as it may sound, music is in me. My mother says that when I was baby I had the ability to whistle. What abilities did you have as a baby?

In the evening on the 4th of July, Courtni and I shot off some fireworks with a couple of our neighbors. We had such a literal blast that Courtni and I left to go get more to shoot into the sky. One of the cashiers tried to get us to buy an $800 firework set, but we settled for some fireworks that weren’t the equivalent of rent. It was nice interacting with

Currently Reading: “Crazy Rich Asians” by Kevin Kwan; “The Celebrants” by Steven Rowley; The book of Genesis.

I am going to promise myself to make writing a priority once again. Part of that will involve me blogging at least once a week. Writing is still a passion of mine. I’ve been dreading explaining why I fell off the blogging wagon. This current blog post must have been updated dozens upon dozens of times. Here it goes.

Last July, on the way to work I got hit by a semi truck trying to merge into the lane I was in. Getting into a car wreck had always been one of my greatest fears. I didn’t get bruised up, but I was hurting enough to miss days of works and see a chiropractor for healing. The impact made me go like a bobble head. I was blessed with a good chiropractor. Never thought I would have ever needed to see one of those. I don’t miss the body cracking, but I do miss the rolling and vibrating beds that ease your entire body. Each time I drive past a semi truck I still think about that day. Another thing I don’t miss are the car rentals. I think the folks at Enterprise know my name by now.

In October, as I mentioned in a previous post, my grandmother went to sleep in Jesus. Though she was advanced in years and had her health issues I was not ready to lose her at all. Then again is anyone ready to no longer hear a loved one’s voice or see their face. Thinking about her still makes my eyes water a little, but I take great comfort knowing she is no longer feeling physical pain or feeling any negative emotions such as loneliness.

This past February, the week before my one year anniversary, my car was stolen. Just leave me alone, Satan. I thought to myself. As angry as I was, I was reminded of how good God is. For I wasn’t in the car when it was taken, and I have insurance. Again, I made friends with car rentals.

The reason I’ve been so hesitant to share all the downs and curves I’ve been on is because I didn’t want anyone to feel depressed by my writing or to feel pity for me. Even if I’m in a bad mood I hesitate ranting about it on social media. Every time I’m tempted to publish it I always end up deleting my tirade. Why, because I don’t even like seeing others post negativity online. I know occasionally we all have bad days, but I’m talking about those people who never have anything positive or encouraging to say on social media platforms. The good thing about facing downs, curves, and reverses in life is that when you are going back up you can talk about what you went through and where you are now as a testimony. I won’t lie to you and say that I enjoyed the misery, but I can tell you that I am grateful that I had my wife to support me and reassure me; my family and church members to minster; and a God above to take me by the hand and lead me to a better place.

If you are going through unpredictable times, here is a list of suggestions to help you survive.

• Prayer
• Surround yourself with positive and encouraging
• Tell someone how you’re feeling. If not a therapist, talk to your spouse; partner; family; friends; church members, etc. Believe it or not there is at least one person on this planet who cares to listen to you.
• Do what you love. However If what you love to do is not building you up but instead shrinking you from your best potential, remove it.
• Make a list of all you are grateful for.
• Reflect on what you have already gone through. Though your situation may appear to be on a higher scale than what you have faced before, remember that you have pulled through tough times. You realize that just being alive and at a different place than you were before.
• Take one task at a time.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a beautiful day!

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