Thinking about life 2018-28

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Thinking about life    2018-28

We all go through lives with the same number of hours in the day. What we do in those hours are mostly up to us, with some work, some play, eating meals, commuting here and there, and other necessary chores of life.

Hour after hour we use them to accomplish things we must or want to do. BUT, how many of us get caught up in mundane actions that do not really matter in the long run of things in life?

Could we, if we tried, look at many things differently?  To take the time to just look into the eyes of someone or something we love and let that one know how much we appreciate and love them, would be terrific.

Or, tell a friend the same thing with conviction and meaning. To try to look at others with another outlook and see them in a diverse light. To say than you to anyone that did something out of the ordinary in a special way.

To change our opinion on someone of another color, religion, creed, ethnicity, or anything else which is foreign to us in our way of living.  To actually TALK with one of those “others” and ask them a question about their way of life, which is contrary to ours. It is TOO easy to ignore them and go on with our lives, doing our things, and wondering about them and their things.

Do we stay in a clam shell of living and exclude what we are uncomfortable with, and keep our ignorance and not expand our knowledge? IF we do, we are NOT growing, but instead, staying stagnant in our lives. We can make excuses, but that is all they are and, reality is, we are snobs of our own making.

We COULD be afraid to do anything, as it will maybe make us vulnerable to ridicule or worse yet, make us stand out to someone.  We do NOT want that to happen, do we? Yet, it is easy to criticize and not know another person that belongs to any group we are uncertain of and let our unawareness rule.

Oh well, that is said, and I can move on in my slap happy way and think I am so great in saying all this, which is bull crap to some anyway.

Peace,
Den Betts      bettsden@gmail.com

Message Heard 2018-27

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When doing some research for genealogy, I wrote this to signify the vastness of our creation on Earth and where we came from. We are all creatures of long ago, with stories from the past that are part of our existence. Starting with Eve, continuing with Lucy, our ancestors have traveled afar to where we are today.

 

Message Heard  2018-27

Beside a thatched dwelling

In front of a smoking fire

Bones, stones, and shells,

Fly to a mat of woven grass.

Foretelling a future, a decision

To be made, fate itself in limbo.

 

Frayed leather garments

Darkened by sweat and time

Cling to an old one with the

Insight, interpreting the fall.

The bush resounds; drums beat,

Signaling the message told

By the ancient one; for all to hear.

 

Far away, a man dressed in pinstripes,

Moves his head with ear upraised.

The Manhattan intersection beckons;

He lingers with a quizzical look, squinting.

The man walks away in the crowd,

Wondering what he heard in the wind.

 

Den Betts    bettsden@gmail.com

Past – Present – Future 2018-26

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I wrote this when my future was in doubt, my past was full of crap, and the present life was dwelling on both.  It is TOO easy to think that all will be good, all was bad and the now is just so so………..   But, think positive, because we are what and how we are and we CAN change for the better; always…….

 

Past-Present-Future   2018-26

The past is done

And the future’s begun

Dwell not on yesterday

As life goes on, regardless

Of events of the past.

Today is tomorrow’s history

As yesterday’s is today and

Tomorrow is yesterday’s

Future, as it is also today.

Think positive of the morrow

As the hopes of today are

Life rafts in a sea of despair

Nothing is so bad that can’t

Be changed in the future.

Den Betts   bettsden@gmail.com

 

Silent Song 2018-25

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Whoa! This is something I wrote when, again, my mind was floating in a different zone of life. I understand it, hope you do, or if not, pretend you do.  Perhaps someone who knows me could look at this and say, “Ha, thought so; he is weird!” And, as the saying goes, “It takes one to know one”, or words like that. Oh yeh, I was NOT drunk or drinking when I wrote this; Ha!!!!

Silent Song      2018-25

 

Mindless melodies contorted with rhyme,

Playing parodies in the present time

Lingering lyrics float in the air,

Stating sentences of a care, a dare

Fractural fibers leap in sine

Creating chaos in the mind of mine

Wandering wisps of static substance

Forever lost, but not forgotten.

Den Betts                    bettsden@gmail.com

Does God Exist? 2018-24

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Does God Exist?  2018-24

OK, I now ask the question as to whether He exists, but I also now state, I believe He DOES exist! 

I cannot prove it, of course, but, I can say equivocally, YES, He does exist!!  But, I am not going to explain now, why I think this is a fact.  It is, period!!  My blogs have shown how I feel in this subject, but I post this as an answer to a blogger that asked me, what I believe.  So, yes to those that think no…….

Confused!? Don’t be!

What I think though, does not matter, because trying to prove He exists is a lost cause, since it is unprovable. A non-believer, cannot prove there is NOT a God too, so, a stalemate ensues.

Too many holier than thou people and absolute atheists both have their agendas they want to have and go on and on about how they are right, and the other side is wrong. Too bad!  The FINAL say will be when both die, and they find out which side is correct.  I like to think that both will find out that their journey of life continues after death.

I am 76 and hope to be around for a while yet, and based on my family’s DNA it may happen that my wishes will be so.  I have much to learn yet about life and want to experience the living of it.  It is sad when those that I know have died and their lives might have been prevented if they had chosen a different life style. So be it.  

Anyhow, does God Exist?  Well, I said yes and will stand by that statement. He is alive, He is active, He is aware, He is present and with us always. Great feeling and comfort knowing this is a fact in my mind. 

Peace,

Den Betts                            bettsden@gmail.com

Right – Wrong 2018-23

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So many groups that have different agendas and thinking!  We are not all right or wrong, just have different opinions of the way things should be in the world.  I think that communication with real empathy toward the other is a way of finding out our differences and, maybe with that, we can arrive at a compromise of thought………

 

Right – Wrong 2018-23

Who is wrong in this world, who is right?

Is it the Jew, the Gentile, the Black or White

Could it be the Muslim,  the Hindu or maybe Shitte,

The Redman, the Yellow or is the one with might?

We all have our differences, but do we have to fight,

With the energy spent to argue it’s all gone for spite.

Isn’t there someone, today, with wisdom like a guiding light,

To lead us to peace from the morn to the night?

So much discord, distain, and dilemma,

That takes away from the peace of the world,

Too many things that color the mind,

Casting shadows on daily mind time.

Den Betts              bettsden@gmail.com

Winter Trek 2018-22

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How many snowstorms have I made in a car, when I wished I WAS home by a fireplace with nothing to worry about what is going on outside. Especially, not having to drive in the white maelstrom, and no worries of myself or others that I love.   BRRRrrrrrrrr!!!!!     It is Feb 27 and winter is on its way to being past, and thought I might post this as part of a winter remembrance.   Actually, wish I DID, still,  have a fireplace in this condo………

Winter Trek   2018-22

Windswept snow

forming sporadic whiteouts;

challenging dim headlights

stabbing through hazy swirls

 

Compressing, confining,

twin valleys of miniature mountains

piled high by metal monsters –stand high

 

Inside the capsule, white knuckles

furrowed brow and squinting eyes

peer at ghosts of whiteness ahead

 

Tenseness filling the air

with quickened breath;

Ice islands, snow covered,

near skids, heartbeats missed

 

Exhalation with thought;

reward of hot chocolate,

blankets and a crackling fireplace

waiting beyond the chill

 

Faint light filtering ahead,

a final turn

familiar beacon shining

home again, home again

journey done; reward to be taken.

Relief!!

 

Den Betts    bettsden@gmail.com

Hunter 2018-21

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I would think that if you have ever hunted, you are still a hunter to a degree. This would be the same as, if once a Marine, always a Marine type analogy.   I did hunt, I dressed and ate what I hunted and killed. I do NOT do so now, but time and age changes many of us. I wrote this when I was an active hunter, living on farmland in Chardon, Oh, area. I was an NRA member, and appreciated this group at the time, but since then, have gotten away from this now political group.

Hunter 2018-21

An honorable sport and
as a meat eater a satisfying one
that goes beyond the kill

The essence of hunting is not in the kill,
but the scouting, stalking, setup, stealthiest,
and mechanics of doing everything correctly

It is the aiming, the controlled breathing, the
the hold of the weapon, and squeeze of the trigger
that is part of the sport of hunting

It is not the actual kill of the game that can
be eaten and enjoyed like those meat eaters that
go to fast food places and eat the meat killed by others

I respect the animals I kill and try hard
to do so with accurate and humane shots
that lessen any suffering by the killed game

When I eat those animals, I commune with nature
as fulfilling an experience that goes back
to primeval times of my forefathers

I am a hunter, not a wanton killer of wildlife, and feel that
what I do is indeed honorable, and I am indeed part of wildlife
management of harvesting nature’s bounty

I respect those that feel different, for whatever reasons,
but also think that what I believe should be also
respected, if not agreed with by others

I am good at what I do in the wildness of the land
for I have the experience, the know-how of doing
that, which I am — I am a Hunter

Den Betts bettsden@gmail.com

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ 2018-20

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Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ  2018-20

I am TRYING to become a disciple of Christ, but it is not easy, believe me!

I remember a study course I was involved in called “The Reveal” and one of the excerpts was showing stepping stones in a path toward becoming closer to Jesus Christ. It seems like I am like the typical traveler two steps forward and one backward, in going or getting closer to Jesus.

Such a life!  I say, it is NOT easy for sure, in accomplishing the trip, or journey, toward this destination. The old saying nothing, at times, is easy or nobody promised easy in life. True!

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ involves allowing the way of life to take precedence over everything else in life, which is difficult to many today.

In other words, I must do more than look or just act like the one I am following!  I must copy and emulate how Jesus Christ was and is, not an easy job.

I number of years ago, I partook in an affirmation of baptism at an Easter Vigil service and my friend Paul, was my sponsor at the church.  After I was re-baptized, as a Christian I then made a statement to those in attendance.   I declared that I was hereby submitting myself to God and surrendering myself to Jesus Christ.

As of that weekend, I did become a true follower of God and a disciple of Jesus.  I am happy and glad that the one God of the Universe is a patient God.  He heard me and was witness to my action then and I realize that now. 

For whatever His reason was then, He let me know His power, His presence, and Activity and has allowed me to mature and nurture myself as his follower and disciple of Jesus.  I THINK, I am fulfilling His wishes and what His purpose for me in my journey to become His follower and disciple of Christ.

It has taken some time and is still a work in progress.  I consider myself somewhat of a poor student though, but have come to also realize He takes what He wants and uses those he desires to fill His needs in life.

For now, let me leave you with my normal ending of my discourses:   I have found out and therefore know, that God is Alive, He is Active, He is Aware, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS,  ALWAYS, He  is present with us.

Thanks be to God,

Peace,

Den Betts                                                            bettsden@gmail.com

Cancer Check/Surgery 2018-19

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Cancer Check/Surgery Done!  2018-19

I write this to allow others to know what I, and some others not just know, but believe.

I had a rather bad case of basal cell carcinoma a couple of years ago and had it taken care of by my doctor, Doctor Garcia. Since then, I have had regular 6-month checkups to make sure I am cancer free.

I had one exam, 7 months ago and had no problem. Last month was my 6-month checkup and the doctor saw two areas that were suspicions of not being correct. A biopsy was taken of both of them and they were analyzed. One came back as basal cell carcinoma.

Today I had it taken care of, with what is called MOHS surgery. This is a specialized surgery that is for cancer removal.

I cannot stress enough that anyone that has a unique, unusual growth on their body, MUST have it checked out to see if it is cancerous.  My latest growth was NOT there 3 months ago.  I knew I was going to have my 6-month checkup and had it early this month, and it was found out.  Basal cell carcinoma is a slow growth cancer, versus the melanoma cancer, which is fast growing and more dangerous to have growing on you.

I implore you to not take some growth for granted and fluff it off. Do NOT be stupid and think you are that smart to ignore something that will kill you in a most unpleasant way.

Enough of that…..   

I thank God for his Presence, the feeling of His being there this morning with me, giving me comfort, for consoling me, and showing He cared for me.  His hands guiding those of my surgeon, who, with his education, training, and experience made my incision small, and complete.  I felt His Presence and appreciated it as I appreciated the doctor doing the surgery.  

Thanks be to God,

Peace,

Den Betts