Corrigan

 

“Wrong Way Corrigan” refers to American aviator Douglas Corrigan, who in July 1938 filed a flight plan from New York to California but instead flew across the Atlantic and landed in Dublin, claiming he misread his compass.

Zigging when we should be zagging.

We've all done it.  We go on.

I try, though fail at times, to cease reflecting on the past.  And perhaps it's good to review to keep on course.

Now, Corrigan might have made his ride on purpose, having been denied a transatlantic flight plan.

Still, we get the picture.

With a birthday looming, I'm preparing to go ahead with plans re books and other projects.  Now is the time.

The method and maintenance are ahead.  And most important, I refuse to get in my own way ever again.

Call it let go and let God or whatever, just do not stop.

I'll post when things are officially underway.

See you on the other side.

Angel Encounters

 There are different kinds of angels and they have different purposes.  That's standard angelology.

There are the Heavenly Hosts.  And there are more down to earth angels.

I believe there are actual spiritual beings but also those of the flesh.

There are people who do heavenly things, though they might be obscure or at least small, even fleeting.

I was just reflecting on some encounters as I meditated and ruminated.

One time, I was about to move literally to another location and into another phase of my life.  I was more wondering than nervous.

I gave thought as I did my laundry at a nearby laundromat.

It was evening, twilight, and no one else was there, except for one guy.

We started talking about my circumstances and he encouraged me to go forth.  I would see and do what i would.  

He bolstered me and the odd thing was he didn't seem to be tending a load.  He just casually sat and calmly talked.

He bade me farewell and as I left I turned and he seemed to disappear.

Another time, I was on a lonely country road, hitchhiking.

The weather was getting stormy, the intensity increased.

Wind was whipping and the clouds darkened.

I prayed for a ride before it broke.

A car appeared down the road.  It was just a plain old sedan.  The driver stopped and said to get in.  He also said don't touch anything.

The storm immediately broke.  It was torrential, one couldn't see and the atmosphere was black and green.

The car rocked and lightning danced across the hood.

It was over quickly but seemed forever.

We continued down the road.

I tripped and fell on a jagged piece of sidewalk downtown.

Down I went, injuring my right knee and scrapping my leg.

I yelled in surprise and shock.

There was not a single person near. But suddenly, 

I heard a guy's voice ask if I was ok.  A hand reached down and pulled me straight up, effortlessly.

A tall thin young man stood there and had concern in his face.

I said I'd make it now and he smiled and said good.

On he went and I could see him down the street.

Another time of reflection and trial was closing in on me.  We lived in a strange place full of spiritual/psychic impulse.

A man was going door to door, saw me and said 'hey brother!'

He was dressed casually with a cap.

I said hi and continued on my way.  On the way back, he was still there, seemingly going door to door.

He encouraged me to carry on.

Saw him again when one day on the bus, I look across the street. There he was, dressed the same in a small group ready to cross.  He looked sideways so I could see who it was.

I looked round the corner then back.  He was gone.  Disappeared.   There was not enough time for him to have walked away.  He was gone.

Now, the common thread here is the feeling imbued.

Calm, reassurance, even peace.  Fortitude.  Comfort.

No fear, even in a storm.

I've had many more encounters.

I can only tell you they are real and God sent.

Ai Yi Yi

 Lotta pro and con for all this internet ai stuff.  Some is fantastic and I'm not saying that's wrong.  But I suggest one examines all the facets.

As you dig, remember that ai is a tool.  Tools are used for weal or woe.

Be choosy and tell the truth.

About Face

 Turncoats.  Switch colors.  Benedict Arnolds.

There are many reasons.

Some are moles, pretending the whole time til the time is right.

Some hope, are hangers on, thinking they might share unearned credit.

Some just don't get what's going on and see things in a warped way.  They oppose because their vision is limited.

Of course, there is always bribery, blackmail, threats.

Liars hope a lie told enough seems to be the truth.  We are supposed to join the unhappy throng.  They want to do our thinking for us.

We must think for ourselves and dig evidence.

We must look at the whole picture.

Eyes open, neck on swivel, watch six.

Say one thing, do one thing.

Weather

 Reminds me of speech exercise in acting.

Peaking of rough, enduring extreme pain internal/external and exhausting shall we say, both ends pretty much sums it up.

Working through the pain/attack bit by bit will lead to that refreshment Jesus guarantees.  Sometimes instant, often bit by bit in return, it arrives at a conclusion.  Remains to be seen if it's what one envisions.  Fast and slow to the end.  Or beginning.

And self awareness comes in surprising even occasionally amusing doses.  

It's a partnership with what and how we weather.

In passing (literally and figuratively), I'll recite that exercise.

'Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot, we'll weather whatever the weather, whether we like it or not.'

Beards

 Not that kind of beard lol.

Simply a beard grown back in the day.

It was the fashion and I didn't think about it.  Kept it trimmed and clean of course.

My bro was a good guy but uptight.

He was afraid customers would see it and reject our services.

He gave me an ultimatum.  Shave or get fired.

I went in the bathroom and mulled.  I walked out with beard.

He said a current customer would tell us something.

That something never happened.  DB didn't care long as we did our job.

Such a simple, silly thing.  

Our Great Grandmother said it's who you are not what you are.

I just grew a beard and let my hair get a little long.

It's the tude dude!

Rough Stuff

 Nobody said it was easy.

Well, they did, but the rough stuff comes first.

Paul speaks of being crucified with Christ.  It's old life over, new life begins.  He rose.  We rise with him.

Easy?  Rough but once done it's a start.

The world hated Him first.  And it hates us because we follow Him.

You figure out what the 'world' means.

We are not austere.  We are right here.  It's what we do that counts.  

A life of faith is constantly renewed.  It must be nurtured.  And we must do.

We don't twiddle our thumbs and say lah dee dah.

We get down where the rubber hits the road and with God's power in our faith, we do.  We proclaim, heal, expel and nurture.

It's rough.

But Jesus says, 'Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will refresh you'.  Not easy, but easier.

The darkside tries to despair and isolate us.

NO!

God helps miraculously and through people.

Fear not.

Reach out.  We meet you and even seek you.

Rough/easier.