Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Day 332 - Return of The King

Okay, so I am no king. I am a person like you and like anyone else. My project lasted for a while and then the writing had to take a back seat to the work when the work became too much and the hours too long. I chose family over my desire to write, over my ambition to complete a goal. Often, as I wrote this column, I thought of what I would write on the last day of this year. What would be the great lesson? What would be different about me?

A lot about me is different. My faith continues to grow, although that has little to do with writing. It has to do with maturity and accepting that I can't do it alone. I need God to help me along. I plan to be baptized on Sunday. I have asked God to break me and he is breaking me. Again, I can't do this alone.

It's liberating when you accept that there are things you can't control. It's a wonderful thing to know that there is someone infinitely more powerful than you who wants to help you, carry you. I am not different, except that I am better. I am not great, just better, and improving every day.

I did fall off the wagon. I have been "exposed" to news. My taste for it is gone. Nothing changed while I was away: politicians are still corrupt, government is still out of control and ineffective, and, according to the media, nothing good every happens.

I don't really care to hear it any more.

Remember how we would hear every day about each soldier that died in the wars? They're still dying, we're just not hearing about it? Why not? Is the life of a soldier that dies while Barack Obama is in office less important than the life of one who died while George Bush was in office? Of course not. So why the double standard?

I don't mean to get political, I just wanted to prove a point. This is why I haven't become addicted to the news again. I was away from it long enough that I now hate it. The absence provided much needed perspective.

I can share this little nugget with you: Step back. If you have an addiction of any kind, just take a step back and find your perspective. This is the first step toward mending yourself.

God bless you. Make it your best day yet. It's good to be back, even if only for a day.

- Adolfo

P.S. See you on day 365, maybe sooner.