Fear is a lack of faith and faith without works is dead

Past the gates of my mind, things are pretty much the same as always. The sun rises in the morning and goes down in the evening yet the things I feel and experience are not. The way I see the world differs from day to day and fear I think is the root of all my anxieties today.

Without positive and continual action and faith my thoughts can be crippling and paralyzing at times. Too much time in my head leads to bad things. I was once told "stay out of your head, it's a bad neighborhood in there" and I never forgot it.

In the past my best thinking got me into a lot of trouble and today I work hard to be disciplined enough to do the next right thing despite myself not always succeeding of course.

Driven by fear I feel little joy in life but simple actions can counter these feelings of insecurity, greed, selfishness, self centerdness, self pity, self entitlement and all such defects of character.

The same fear and insecurity have also been great drivers in my life and keep me on my toes. I know the enemy within and I study her and watch as she reveals herself in various forms. This is a cunning enemy, a patient one and one not to be disrespected. She would have you believe she is weak when you are strong but this is false. In my experience she grows in strength when you believe she is weak.

I surround myself with good people who strive for excellence in their work and personal lives Who are disciplined enough not to take the easy road through life but who challenge life every step of the way. Such people are not born. They have chosen to follow such paths and have realized like I have that it's progress and not perfection. As soon as we believe we have reached perfection we soon realize that we have lost all sense of meaning and balance in our lives and humility once again has been lacking and back to the ground we come. Ahhhh a wonderful place to be. We are relentless in our pursuit. We will stop at nothing.

Fear I believe is a lack of faith and faith without works is dead.

Just for today I will try to live though this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said that "most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try and adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes and fit myself to it.

Today I will exercise my soul in three ways. I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do just for exercise. I will not show anyone my feelings are hurt. They may be hurt but today I will not show it.

I try to be agreeable!!! (those who know me!!!) I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit (tough one again!!!) not find fault with anything, and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself. (that me out today,,,)

I will try to have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour I will try to get a better perspective of my life. I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Onwards and upwards.

A blog?? me?? really??

I'm writing from my living room on one of the most beautiful days i have experienced.  My beautiful daughter Raphaella is asleep and my wife has returned from her morning out.

Last night after setting up this blog for a laugh with one of my family's closest friends i began to stress!!  What would i write?? surely if i write what is on my mind i will offend many and expose my vulnerable self by sharing thoughts and happenings in my life?? i want to be profound and for people to tell me how great my blogs are (Ego) but the reality is i have only ever read 2 blogs in my life.  that of my CEO and my wife's close friend.

Im not a particularly good writer.

This may be my first and last blog i write but who cares - I'm writing and I'm actually enjoying it.  I find great comfort when putting pen to paper and exposing my thoughts and feelings.  Let's see how this medium serves me.

I have a very demanding job and my wife is now worried that if i start blogging what time will i have to do anything else between work and family life.  Perhaps Leigh is correct.  Who knows.

I LOVE controversy and pushing boundaries but I'm also worried to in case i end up in serious trouble :). 

I guess i can write whatever it is that i want.  Perhaps i can write about my own experience of certain situations and my role in them without actually putting anyone or their business down,,,,, but then no one would read, so i guess i will have to first find my motivation for setting up a blog.  is it for selfish reasons and to attract attention or is a vehicle for me to leave the world a better place than i found it.  I prefer the latter.

Onwards and upwards

Test

My father in-law is on a 6 month bike trip in South America.  After reading his blog I have been inspired.

Let us see what comes of this.

E Tzou