Why I'm Thankful for 2020

It's almost over.  Many will celebrate the conclusion.  I'm still in the moment.  Yes, it's one day at a time.  Some days are better than others.  So are some years.  For me, each day matters.  Each year matters.  They are like building blocks.  The one thing that stands out most is my attitude.  It is one of gratitude.  If I were to erase this year just because it was filled with so much heartbreak I would lose the lessons, the triumphs, and building blocks necessary for the years to come.  If anything, my sense of gratitude is only greater after facing a year like 2020.

I can hear the naysayers complaining about this year.  They don't represent the people I encountered who faced enough trouble to make a grown man cry.  I'm referring to those who lost everything in the derecho, a land hurricane that wiped out crops, buildings, and dreams.  In spite of these losses, these people told me how thankful they are for what they have and for their loved ones.  Others told me about losing loved ones to COVID-19.  That's about as difficult as it gets.  These people talked about love, not a loss.  They talked about gratitude for all the great years.  These people inspire me.  I will do my best to live my life to the fullest, one day at a time.  How about you?  Have a great day.

My DNA Test Kit Arrived Yesterday

 DNA testing may be the best way to discover where you come from.  I've always been curious.  When I visited my wife's family, her dad took me to nearby cemeteries in search of relatives from Ireland.  The gravestones showed towns in Ireland where her relatives were born before migrating to the United States.  It's challenging to go back more than several generations without the aid of DNA testing.

I can't wait to get my results.  The DNA test kit was really easy to administer.  It involved a couple of swabs inside my cheeks, one swab for each side.  I inserted my swabs into a couple of tubes and placed them inside a prepaid return package.  Results will be available on a home page I set up online.  The company guarantees results will be available in eight weeks or your money is returned.  This is a great time of year to discover where you came from because most companies are offering discounts.  I will share more about my results when they are available.  Have a great day.

The Infinite Space Inside You

 How do you fill an infinite void?  Take a good look around at the people in your life.  Watch their actions. Those who are suffering from anxiety, depression, anger, hurt, etc, etc, are doing their best to fill that empty space.  They have their remedies.  The professionals have a label for these remedies.  They call them addictions.  The problem is that no matter how hard the addict tries to fill the space, there is still room left over.  

Infinite spaces require infinite solutions.  I'm only aware of one infinite solution and I discovered it at a time in my life when I was trying to fill my own personal void.  The solution I found contains three parts.  Good luck trying to figure out how they fit together.  Imagine three match sticks on fire.  There is no way to figure out what part of the flame belongs to each match stick when they are on fire and burning as one flame.  They call themselves the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  They are the real deal.  They are an infinite solution to everything you need.  These three parts can fill that infinite space inside you.  They complete you.  Some day we will see the infinite solution with our own eyes.  This is a time of year when believers prepare for that day.  It all started with a simple birth about 2,000 years ago.  The solution is for anyone who asks.  No one is ever excluded.  Today is a good day to seek the solution for that infinite space inside you.  Have a great day.

Is it Better to Work on a Strength or a Weakness?

 Your time is limited.  There is only so much you can accomplish in a day.  That's why your priorities are so important.  This is the time of year when many people start thinking about how they can improve their lives when the new year begins.  Some will work on their weaknesses.  Others may refine their strengths.  I'm in the category of strengths.

Think about the effort you will need to improve a weakness.  The possibility exists that no matter how hard you work on a weakness, you may not see any improvement at all.  You could devote an entire year to one weakness and end up where you started.  The other option is to pick something you're really good at and make it even better.  Think about that for a moment.  Where could you be one year from today if you forget about all your weaknesses and instead enhance what could be the reason why you're on this planet?  In my opinion, that is energy well invested.  2021 could be your breakout year.  Bet on your strengths.  You will increase your odds for a successful outcome.  Decide today to work on your top strength.  Start now.  You can have a three-week head start.  Have a great day.

Synergy is Unfolding

 Synergy means the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  In my life, the individual steps I'm taking to maximize my life by themselves may not seem like much. That is until you look at what happens when everything is added up and you have a total that doesn't make sense mathematically.  

I really can't explain what is happening to my mind, body, and spirit.  All I know is something is happening.  I know what all the individual factors are.  There are experiments.  There is daily meditation.  There are new molecules I'm taking to ramp up missing substances in my brain related to aging.  There are new daily routines.  Some may argue this synergy idea may only be a placebo and I am one of those people who is suspicious about what is happening.  Am I a step faster on the tennis courts because of a placebo effect?  Does my brain seem to be processing incoming data more efficiently because I simply believe it is?  I don't know.  The math doesn't add up.  I will need to verify this synergy idea by visiting my doctor and getting a physical along with a comprehensive blood test.  Have a great day.

The Excitement Builds

My DNA test kit shipped yesterday.  I'm eagerly awaiting the opportunity to delve into my past.  The staff has already reached out to me twice by email to let me know what to expect.  It's rare these days to see great customer service and I'm hopeful this is a positive sign I will get my results in a timely manner.  The company website touts a comprehensive report that covers one thousand years.  I kicked in some extra bucks to dig even deeper by analyzing my father's side and mother's side of the family in individual reports.

Every family has their own unique family history.  While it's fairly easy these days to search the last few generations, it's almost impossible to understand where we came from without the aid of companies who specialize in DNA analytics.  All I can say right now is I'm super excited to submit my DNA and see what it reveals.  Stay tuned.  Have a great day.

My Past is Getting Ready to Talk

 I did it.  I ordered my first DNA test yesterday, an early Christmas present.  I went with a smaller company that hooked me with a 50% discount for first-time users.  If they deliver as promised and send me the results in a timely manner, I will share the name of the company in an upcoming story.  

My past is getting ready to talk and I'm all ears.  Soon I will be able to tell you the origin of my ears and all other body parts.  I have my suspicions.  Now it's time to submit my DNA and let my past blab away.  I do find it very interesting how we are all connected.  I'm eagerly awaiting the next step of my DNA discoveries.  Have a great day.