As I look back over the last two years, I remember viewing the world as a very negative and mean place. I lived each day emotionally locked in survival mode, always questioning.
How can I find the desire to live? How am I going to get through the day? Why is God even allowing me to live, and, what do I contribute to the world? Why do I exist?
I tell ya friends; I lived in an ugly world for a long time. It was so dark that the only time I felt any comfort or relief was when I was shoveling a burger into my mouth. Can you relate? Does this sound like you?
Well, it doesn't have to be. You can get your life back--I'm living proof.
Today, I'm a new man. The changes that have transpired inside of me, though they started by losing a few pounds, are truly the fruits of a renewed soul. I'm a better me for having taken the first steps towards a better me, if that makes sense, and for finally taking a chance on me.
I've lost well over three hundred and thirty five pounds, yes, but it was the confidence gained by TRYING that renewed my spirit, allowing me to view life differently. Every day I wake up with a positive approach to life, not because of the scale but because I believe in the blessing of second chances--better yet, I believe in the God of second chances too.
God is no longer a bigger-than-life mystery to me anymore. He's real. I felt him with me in my darkest hour. When nobody else could bare to enter my sad-sad world, God did.
Now let me be honest here. At my lowest point, I hated God. Honestly, I no longer even believed in him. So, if you are at your lowest point right now, understand this--I know where you're at. I know how dark and lonely the room you're locked in is, so, I'm not going to try and convince you God will save you, because I know you can't believe it--not right now anyway. What I'm asking today is that you believe in yourself. Believe in that glimmer of a reflection, the real you, I know you can still see, though disfigured at the moment. Give him/her a second chance. (*) Then wait and see what happens!
We're all on a journey; to see and feel all that life has to offer. There's so many wonderful experiences for us to enjoy. But you can't experience it while you're squatting in the darkness. You must step out into the light! Positive energy attracts positive energy just like negative thoughts and outlooks will point you in the wrong direction. If you are now where I was two years ago, then you know which direction is the wrong directions. You know which steps brought you to where you are now. Don't repeat them. Do an about-face.
We are here on this earth for only a short time, and though I don't claim to know what happens after this time on earth ends, I do know we're here to live like one family. It doesn't matter what you look like, what color your skin is or weather your wealthy or poor. We're family and family shares everything--love, life, the planet and its beauty--so look deep into that mirror, into that soul, and learn to like you! See yourself as God sees you--the most beautiful of all his creations. Once you do that, like any other good relationship, you'll learn to love YOU as well. Then maybe, just maybe, what I wrote above (*) will make more sense to you.
OK, Rev Dan has finished his sermon for the day. (wink) Remember--see the beauty, feel the love. Can I get a "AMEN" my beautiful brothers and sisters?
PEACE.
Dan
Amen brother!
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