Monthly Archives: November 2017

Respect 2017-50

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                                                 Respect  2017-50

 

Respect is just a word!  BUT, if you are looking for it, the word is again, just a word. The cliché- “Respect is earned – not a given”, or something like that, means a lot to many people.

Respect does NOT respect power, income, stature, position or other self-important ideals. A CEO, a President, or leader of any sorts, still must prove that respect is deserved.

Demanding or expecting respect, or trying to get it, will NOT work, and never will do so. The actions we do, the feelings we have, the results of OUR endeavors, will dictate how much respect we will have by others.

I respect many people that I know and interact with on a regular basis. Some people I do NOT know, and those that are unaware of me do NOT deserve and do not have my respect.

I watch the news daily and observe many people that are in positions of authority and they are NOT to be respected –  PERIOD!!!!

It would not take much to earn my respect, but, it seems, that is not going to happen with some of those in charge of the United States and are influential in the world.

Yes, respect IS earned and not a given in life. Denying any criticism, calling those that do criticize you, as being fake, makes you a phony or bogus leader, and makes those that you lead be ashamed of your actions and leadership. They can only B.S. their followers to a certain point, and they WILL be found out for what they are — pathetic.

Peace,

Den Betts

Rite of Passage 2017-49

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Rite of Passage  2017-49

The change from one aspect of life to another, but it can take a meaning in so many ways of life. When the social standing is affected by the “Rite of Passage”, then we can look at the “Self” in a different way than before it happened.

We all have experienced this ritual of life that changed us so very much in the process. This can occur for others to see and experience with us or it can be of a secluded event for only ourselves to be affected and known.

For me, it is one, which I have been blessed or made more whole, but most definitely it changed me in many ways.

Years now since it began, the Rite slowly evolved, adapted, tweaked, and became what it is today.  A journey of life everlasting. One that is mine to own, accept, attest to, take credit for, in its endeavors.

I have become more introspective, much more caring toward others, less aggressive, having a feeling of humbleness, with less prejudice, and more contentment, and above all having love towards others, all others.

Again, I claim this “Rite of Passage” as my own, mine to ponder, enjoy and live to its fullest. 

I jump up and over from one stone to another in getting closer to God and Jesus Christ. I visit one room of life and continue to the next, opening and closing doors to experience the ramifications of what each has to offer and how I can become closer to the One I love.

There have been setbacks, two steps forward and one behind, but overall, it has been one of getting closer and closer to God in the process. The realization that it is about ME was inspirational when I finally realized it as such. It was, and is, not necessarily about me with others, even though others are part of the equation.

The journey was long in coming, and since it began, it has been more than interesting and wonderful,  and truly enlightening. My journey began March 3, 2010 and the “Rite of Passage” began at that time. Time does fly by for all of us, and it is hard to contemplate that it has taken me so long to realize the things I know now. 

Sometimes the ritual of life does have a long and tenuous experience of time, and I do not regret the time it took, or is taking, but instead relish existence of the Rite in all its glory and consequences.

 Life is good, God is Great, and life goes on.

Peace,

Den Betts

Honesty 2017-48

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Honesty    2017-48

 

 Honesty!  An easy word, but sometimes hard to put into practice!

Sometimes it is just being honest with ourselves, and other times it is with others that we have to, or maybe should, be honest with them, in the scope of things.

OK, I have two things going here, Self and Others. 

Self:  We can try to be as honest with ourselves as much as we can be, but it just doesn’t happen sometimes. We want to believe we are, but are not.  Normal…

We deceive ourselves in thinking we are being upfront with ourselves, but when we look back we can see that we were not. 

Some examples:  Perhaps I am realizing that I MIGHT have Alzheimer Disease early stage. I MIGHT want to ignore this and not be honest with myself. It is a HORRIBLE disease and I might want to NOT be honest with myself in this case.

Another scenario: What if I started to regularly drink alcohol in excess every day. I MIGHT want to NOT think that I am an alcoholic and continue to do so, regardless of the facts, but in reality not be honest with myself.

OK, moving on to others……  Do I want to be honest with someone else that I know, OR do I want them to be totally honest with me? Perhaps not.  Would friendships be ended?  Would feelings be hurt? I would think it is a possibility that this may happen. BUT, by not being honest, many things can be prevented or instead, cured in the process of being honest. 

Some examples:  Letting a friend know that what they are doing is disrupting others, where they do not see the facts of their actions. Maybe the alcoholic in my other Self example would be benefited if it were a friend instead, and were told that they are drinking too much and suggesting they get help.

It could be we would lose a friend, in the process; depends on the friend and how close we are to them.

Honesty is, in a big way, the adherence to the facts, being fair and straightforward in our conduct, being truthful and sincere, and, of course, being frank in our expressions.

If we are believers in God, I would say that He knows the truth, always, and we cannot be dishonest with Him, for He knows all.  He is with us always, He is aware, he is alive and He is Present with us, being active with us, again, always……

Can we be honest with ourselves and with others?  Don’t know!!!!

 

Peace,
Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

One Chance 2017-47

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ONE CHANCE   2017-47

If we have one chance at life on Earth before we are gone elsewhere:

THEN:

What mark will we make, now, today, or tomorrow?

Is there something we can do that we will be somewhat proud of and be remembered?

OR, are there many things we will do that result in nothing to be recalled, but instead be forgotten as being unworthy to be recollected?

Can our existence of the Self, with the now, the present, be changed in a way that others will comment on our accomplishments, our fulfilled goals, and esteemed actions, which will make a difference to others as well as to ourselves?

We have one chance (our lifetime) to do this something, to go beyond the norm, to create a memorable experience that will make a difference in life, for us, and for others.

Where do we stand on issues, on actions and where do we belong to the elite group of people that have done so many things that make a difference.

Den Betts

 

Who, What and Where is God 2017-46

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Who, What, and Where is God? 2017-46

For a believer, that might be a stupid question! Or NOT!

In reality, God called himself, “I am”, as told to Moses of the Hebrew Bible by saying “I am who I am”. The Hebrews called Him YAHWEH, and some have spelled it as JEHOVAH, incorrectly, as it is said by some.

Regardless, God spoke of Himself as “I am” and when others speak of Him it is interpreted as “He is”, which I interject as a point of interest.

When I pray to God, I thank Him for His Glory and say, “Dear Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth, the one God of the Universe and continue thanking Him for the blessings He has bestowed on me, which are many, many, many.
Let me continue with an interesting (?) thing about this prayer. I have someone I know, who is an Atheist, who states, “There can be no God of the Universe, it is TOO BIG! There are stars with planets and He cannot be the God of ALL of them.” He continued,” If He made people in His image, like on Earth, what about elsewhere in the Universe; are they human in appearance?”

Well, since I am not a stellar traveler, I could not state a reply, with facts, in response. I did answer with, “Because He is God!” I wrote before on the subject “The Faces of Jesus Christ 2017-35” where I suggested that Jesus would have the face and ethnicity of who he was speaking with at the time. Perhaps that is true with God, regarding a planet having intelligent beings that look like something we cannot even imagine and call the one God of the Universe their God. He would be in their image and they would think of God in this way, looking like them.

God is the “I am”. God is the Creator, and God is everywhere; period. He loves us unconditionally and looks at all of us as His children. He is alive, He is active, He is aware, and always present to us.

Peace,
Den Betts                                              Comments, questions at bettsden@gmail.com