Personal Responsibility

Personal responsibility can be defined as the acceptance by an individual that their own actions result in consequence; sometimes positive and sometimes negative.  This seems like a logical theory, but it is illogical to assume that the mass population will accept this basic principle.  Many times I have heard authority figures say, “you must take responsibility for your own actions.”  This theory is more enforced as a disciplinary tactic in the classroom and by parents.  However, as adults, we seem to forget that we each must be accountable for our own behavior.

I don’t support most left wing ideology because it is predominately created by over-educated, under-experienced elitist.  These folks seem to think everyone who lives between New York City and San Francisco are hayseed ignoramuses.  America is a country built by God fearing, patriotic, hardworking people.  We are folks who understand not only the definition of personal responsibility but actually live according to these principles.

I am saddened by the shootings in Arizona last Saturday.  I am also disturbed by the school violence that has increased since the late 1990’s.  It is something I take very serious, but you can’t blame the second amendment for these senseless killings.  God gives man free will.  In 1998, I stumbled across an opportunity to represent a local organization in a statewide amateur speaking competition.  I was in my mid twenties at the time and I had always enjoyed public speaking, but didn’t really know what to expect at a state competition.  It was a great experience.  There were probably fifty or more competitors from across the state using this competition as a platform to express their personal views on various issues.  I chose to speak on the prevention of school violence, which is what my local organization was working on.  I was fortunate enough to win the state competition that year and travel to Washington, D.C. to represent Alabama at the nationals.  I spoke on the same subject.  I was honored to be a top ten finalist and finish as second runner-up at the United States competition and even more surprised that I was allowed to address several members of congress regarding the prevention of violence in schools.  Certainly, laws need to be enforced regarding firearms, but if we outlaw handguns altogether, the only people who will own guns will be outlaws!! 

The left wing spinning of the shooting in Arizona is absolutely disgusting to me.  The accusations that Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Glen Beck and others are to blame for their political rhetoric is preposterous.  It is just another lame attempt to assign accountability to the Republicans and other second amendment supporters for the criminal actions of bad people.  I read a post on Facebook today that says a gun is no more responsible for a person being shot than a spoon or fork is responsible for Oprah getting fat…or me either for that matter. 

 I am reminded of how liberals blamed the Bush administration for all those innocent people who suffered during Hurricane Katrina.  In their eyes, we just left all those poor people down there to suffer.  The truth is, allowing those people to live on welfare, instead of being productive citizens is what caused so much death.  They had opportunities to leave that city.  They had opportunities to work together and survive.  Did we hear anyone in Mississippi blaming the federal government?  NO!  Those hardworking Americans joined together under the leadership of Governor Haley Barbour and took care of one another. 

I hear so many people whining about their personal situations.  It is human nature to feel sorry for ourselves to a certain extent, but most of the people I know who..pardon my French, “don’t have a pot to piss in,” also do not have a work ethic.  They are only willing to do the bare minimum to just get by.  In addition to that, they don’t have their priorities in order.  Money seems to be what causes people the most stress.  Let me correct that last statement, lack of money is what causes people the most stress.  Every person born in this country has the same freedoms and the same opportunities to accomplish whatever they choose.  In addition to the freedoms we have as American citizens, we have the knowledge and opportunity to recognize Christ as our Lord and Savior and serve God each and every day.  He will meet every single need we have.  Most of the people I know who complain all the time do not have a relationship with God.  It has taken me quite a long time to mature and realize that God wants me to be successful, but He also expects me to show gratitude through contentment with what I do have.  We have to be better stewards of the blessings He gives us.  This includes both material blessings and spiritual.  He gives us free will.  We have the ability to choose how we are going to behave. 

I completely support strict laws regarding guns, drugs, illegal immigrants, etc., but I don’t support eliminating the rights of God-fearing, patriotic, hardworking Americans.  People need to stand up and take responsibility for their own actions and government should be in place to lead, not dictate. 

I have prayed for the victims of the Arizona shootings and their families and I will continue to do so.  I also pray that this nation votes to make a change in 2012 in order to thrive and prosper for as many years as it takes our Lord to return.  Until then, I will be thankful that God has allowed me to accept the responsibility for my own life and succeed each day because of Him.

Journey With Friends

I can’t think of a better way to start the New Year than to celebrate the love we have in our lives.  The people we share this journey we call life with must be gifts from God.  I am incredibly thankful for the friends that have shared my past, my present and will be part of my future.  Friends make life easier.  They love unconditionally and they celebrate who we are.  I have a wonderful group of friends who are also my brothers and sisters in Christ at the Ohatchee Church of Christ.  I have been in church all of my life and I have never met such a large group of people who get along so well.  It’s truly a blessing to worship alongside others who admit they are sinners as well, just trying to find their way to Heaven.  Led by an amazing minister, Wayne Dunaway, we had an very successful 2010, baptizing 33 new members and enjoying leading souls to Christ.  My church family is so supportive.  I recently had the honor of delivering the first sermon of 2011, entitled “Life’s A Journey.”  It’s uplifting to know there are so many wonderful friends taking that journey with me.

After twenty years in business, it has been drilled into me that you can’t have friendships with people you work with, but as a Christian, you can have friends wherever you go.  I am fortunate to work alongside colleagues who are just as spiritual as I.  My assistant, Brandi and I have forged a friendship bond that will last beyond our time at work.  Her family has become a second family to me, and we rely on each other for prayer, daily encouragement and strength.  With God, not just anything, but everything is possible.  I cherish the friends I have made in my career, past and present.  I want to hold on to those relationships for all time.  The people we spend our careers with can often shape who we become. 

As a person with Bipolar Disorder, I used to feel completely alone inside and as if no other person ever felt the way I did.  Several years ago, I met my friend Michelle, through an online support group.  Again, God’s wonderful hand at work, we forged a mutually encouraging relationship and have grown so close, we feel like we have been family forever.  She lives in Seattle, but we talk as often as possible and email one another daily.  It’s as if, when I cry out to God for understanding and mercy, He works through Michelle to comfort me.  Our church has developed a new emotional wellness support group in the last few months and the friendships and bonds we have formed by using scripture and prayer to help one another is amazing.  The love of others is most certainly one of God’s answers to my prayers.

Every person has an inner circle of friends.  We call them our “best friends.”  Oh, how I cherish the memories made with childhood friends that have lasted a life time.  Sometimes you can go for years and not see the friends you love, but you can pick right back up just where you left off if the friendship is true.  My best friend from high school and college, Ken, is probably one of the most outstanding guys you will ever meet.  He is a great father, husband and businessman.  I was honored to serve as his best man when we were younger, and those kind of memories are something that anyone would want to treasure forever.  The laughter and tears you share with people as you progress on your journey is an essential part of life.  I believe people who embrace friendship and are not afraid to say “I love you,” or show emotion are more likely to build longer lasting relationships.  It seems kind of odd to use the term “best friend” so frequently and especially at my age, but when I think about my circle of friends and how they inspire me, it’s the only term that does them justice.  Brandi, Michelle, Kim, Aimee, Tracy, Cindy, Misty, and Paul are just a few of the people I run to when I am happy, sad, successful, or troubled.  God is certainly the best friend any Christian could have.  I am certain he works through others to guide, guard, and direct us.

I am so fortunate to have family members that I consider to be my friends also.  My grandmother always raised her grandchildren to be as close as siblings, to love each other forever.  I am lucky to have cousins who share my life and love me unconditionally.  I have two first cousins, Rhonda and Sherry that were raised next door to me, and for years I thought they were my sisters.  In fact, we still tell people today that we are brother and sister.  With the two of them, I know the true meaning of the word soul mate.  I know that regardless of what happens in my life, I will never be alone.  Sherry once told me, “when you hurt, I hurt.”  Just the other day, I got a text from Rhonda, everything was fine, she just had a feeling that she needed to check on me.  That’s love. That’s friendship and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Remember, friendship is like a good book, it takes a while to write, and when you are done, what a masterpiece!