A Memento Connection

The light bulb went off again last night.  My daughter suggested we watch Memento,  a movie written and directed by Christopher Nolan about a man suffering from short-term memory loss.  Nolan got the story idea from his brother, Jonathon.  This film propelled him to the top and he went on to write the original screenplay for Inception.

As I watched the movie, I found a connection to my own writing journey.  Memento garnered many awards for it's unique approach in story telling.  The viewer sees the final scene first, then a series of episodes in reverse chronological order, told from the perspective of the main character who can't remember what happened before he fell asleep.  The connection I found has to do with writing a book without knowledge of how the chapters fit together and sharing that book with you on this blog as it's being written in real time.   Since I've only been writing for a short while, I don't really know what all the rules are and I'm fairly certain I baffle my more experienced critique buddies; I'm some sort of an enigma, putting this book together the same way I build puzzles.

I feel a little bit like Leonard Shelby, the main character with anterograde amnesia.  He is trying to solve his wife's murder but doesn't have the sound mind to put the puzzle pieces together.  I'm seeking the connections we have to our Creator and I'm limited to a human brain.  There is an invisible force guiding me.  The trail we are on together is not linear, nor is it chronological.  I'm following bread crumbs and some days I have to wait for them to fall out of the sky in order to find the next chapter.  If you feel a little bit confused, welcome to my world, a world as far-fetched as the movie, Memento.  No wonder it's one of my daughter's favorites, she inherited her brain from the naked caveman.

Thanks for following me.  I do promise you that The Caveman in the Mirror will make sense once I find all the missing bread crumbs and put this puzzle together.  Meanwhile, why don't you rent Memento and enjoy a thriller?

Ancient Connections

The search for missing puzzle pieces continues.  I must uncover ancient connections in order to understand how my next book is to be pieced together.  It involves research spanning 2,000 years.  It's like walking through a labyrinth.  The deeper I go, the more I understand how I am to write this book.  The first half of the maize was filled with all kinds of clues and reference points.  Nearing the midpoint, the writing on the wall is becoming more difficult to decipher.  Time has faded the puzzle pieces and they are more scarce.

The naked caveman stands at the center of this mysterious conundrum.  I studied his face while peering into the mirror.  I know the caves where he once resided.  I know his thoughts.  Once I find him, the research will be complete and I will retrace my steps back to the present.  Then I will write about my findings and The Caveman in the Mirror will be published for you, the last piece of the puzzle...the most important connection to God's masterpiece.  The countdown clock on the right shows when these ancient connections will be revealed.  Stay tuned.  The clock is ticking.

God Shakes Things Up

The last thing my buddy, Leland, expected was to be in the epicenter of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake when he visited New Zealand with his family earlier this year.  His wife told me she felt like God was trying to get her attention.  The family was there to support Leland while he represented the United States in an international tennis tournament.  The earthquake destroyed the tennis courts Leland was scheduled to play on that same day.  Here are a couple of photos Leland snapped as he evacuated the town.

I believe God is always trying to get your attention.  Sometimes it's through Mother Nature.  Other times it's through people he places around you.  If He's not currently shaking things up in your life, you're probably in the eye of the storm.  Brace yourself for what's ahead.

Leland's family made it home safely.  I'm thankful the family shared their experiences with me.  How about you?  Would you like to share what happened to you when God shook things up in your life?  Email me and let's post your story on my blog.  Check out Free Lemonade Stories for messages submitted by others.  Each day, more and more readers are finding this blog from other countries.  Let's add your story today.  I look forward to hearing from you...

socalmulligan808@gmail.com

The Hidden Meaning of Thanksgiving

It doesn't matter where you live.  Thanksgiving is for every member of the human race.  Sure, the first pilgrims started the tradition of Thanksgiving when they arrived in the New World centuries ago.  They wanted the freedom to worship God without persecution.  They wanted equality for all, including non-believers.

Politicians may attempt to cover up the real meaning of Thanksgiving.  Authorities seek political correctness, changing history books to accommodate those who lack faith.  The government is not allowed to take away the freedom to give thanks to God.  Your life and everything you possess is a gift from God.  When you thank God for all the blessings in your life, you've uncovered the hidden meaning of Thanksgiving.

For me, the biggest blessings in my life are my wife and children.  I thank God for every day I get go be with them.  On this Thanksgiving day, my family will be together.  We will take turns sharing what we are thankful for.  When it's my turn, I will say, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me the opportunity to be a husband and father.  Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to help me get better at these roles with each passing day.  And thank you for teaching me the real meaning of Thanksgiving."

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share this Thanksgiving message with readers all over the world.  And for those willing to die so that others may gain the freedom we sometimes take for granted in the United States.  May God bless you and your family.  Happy Thanksgiving.

The Man in the Mirror

Michael Jackson's hit song, "The Man in the Mirror" is a call to action...for each of us to look in the mirror and become a better reflection of himself.  The lyrics are powerful.  May this song inspire you to make a difference...

Tap Your Strengths

Have you ever wondered if you are using your strengths to the best of your ability?  I remember sharing my "rubber band theory" with my buddy, Steve, in college.  I told him, "all of us are born with different rubber band sizes.  The size of our rubber band is not what's important; what matters is how far we stretch it."

Other people focus on our weaknesses.  We can spend a life-time trying to improve these areas of our lives.  Doing this leads to lackluster performances and misery.

I understand the joy my daughter's guidance counselors expressed when she told them her major is undeclared.  All incoming freshman at her school take a Clifford Strengthsfinder test to uncover their five top strengths.  Once these gifts are identified, each college student can discover a field of study that matches their talents.

I took this same test recently.  It helped me understand what my gifts are and how to tap into them in all areas of my life.  Some people close to me have been attempting to mold me according to their specific strength, focus.  At heart, I'm a born juggler.  If you ask me to juggle just one ball, I become bored.  Juggling is my strength.  The caveat is to avoid juggling too many balls at the same time.

Think of yourself as a member of a baseball team.  Each "player" is gifted to play in a certain position.  Asking the pitcher to be the designated hitter and confining him to extra batting practice to improve on his weakness leads to trouble.  Let the power hitters hit and the pitchers pitch.  Let the coaches manage the players.  If each player is placed in the position that matches his strengths and they are properly developed, that team will be a contender every season.

If you want to discover your top five strengths, click on the link and get started with the Clifford Strengthsfinder.  Make sure to order a new copy of the book as the code associated with the book can only be used once and you will miss out on the test if you pick up a used copy.

 Click here to order your copy.

His Eye is on the Sparrow...and You

Today's message was emailed by a friend.  Enjoy. And remember, His eyes are on you...always.  The YouTube video at the end of the story popped into my head as I looked at these stunning photographs. 

Birds are so fragile and vulnerable.  These amazing photos captured a drama with two of these little creatures that is every bit as poignant and heart-wrenching as any human story.  Kudos to the photographer.  The newspapers that carried these photos sold out in every country.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW 

A female bluebird was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road, and the condition was soon fatal. 

 

Her male mate brought her food and attended her with love and compassion.  

He brought her food again, but was shocked to find her dead.  

He tried to move her - a rarely seen effort. 

 

 

Aware his mate was dead and would never come back to him,  Again, he cried out with adoring love…And stood beside her with sadness and sorrow. 

Millions of people were touched after seeing these photos in America, Europe, Australia, and even India.  The photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the most famous newspaper in France.  All copies of that edition sold out on the day these pictures were published.  

You have just witnessed love and sorrow felt by God's creatures. 

The Bible says that God knows when a sparrow falls. 

Imagine how much He cares for us! 

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, give fully.