Station Master-book (excerpt)

Sacred Serendipity?

(A Rebel, Rascal, Rogue Transgression-Confession)

 

To know the: Who? What? Where? When? How? And, Why?

Is to understand the story in its entirety! Bon Chance! Mon Amie!

 

 

 Who? (Indeed!---Who?)

 

An independent individual! By birth. By nature. By purposeful intention. To be sure!

A simple pilgrim. By design; through refine; in resign. Humble. Honest. Humorous.

Requiring neither celebrity nor notoriety; shunning any limelight; eschewing accolades.

Nearly vacant of word; soft-spoken when necessary. Deep in thought. Focused contemplation.

Possessing insight: Faith! Hope! Charity! Generosity! Family! Liberty! Freedom! Kindness!

Non-materialistic. Quick of wit. Honoring others. Praise! And, Glory! Self-effacing. Concise.

Subject to a self-imposed Credo of behavior which will be neither transgressed nor defiled.

There exist no excuses; only successful results. Lives here, no fantasy; only the reality of life.

Yet: Dreams are Beyond! Rainbows are followed. Butterfly colors tasted and savored.

Mother Nature dictates value in this time; God’s will practiced determines spacial virtue!

Demarcation lines rigidly proscribe: Good/ evil; black/white; right/wrong; Truth/lies.

With un-obfuscated perspicacity (clear vision) search a long shadow cast by standing tall.

One born under the “Luckiest” star of heaven. Blessed Beyond; un-worthy and un-deserving.

In a word: Love!

 

 

 

 

 

What?

 

One who commits through Word! Logically plans with Thought! Performs in Action!

Always and forever with unconditional Love as that sacred foundation of choices.

On a late April day around the mid-morning time of Spring-fever infection under the seductive kiss of golden shafts from my friend, the sun, streaking through voids and punctures in puffy-white clouds, put there, obviously and decidedly, for purposeful enjoyment, while lying prostrate, full length upon Mother Nature’s cool, verdant green carpet of thick red clove, crystal blue orbs followed the effortless glide of a Red Tail high above, riding the thermal updraft created by the three hundred foot bluffs nearby.

“Such perfection!” I considered. “Freedom! Through Liberty! Wow!” Pure: Envy! Jealousy!

Laughing at the very vanity of my own “humanism” while shaking an un-appreciating head came realization and a lightning spike of understanding. Again: Wow!

“Ten-thirty,” I judged by the angle of Ole Mr. Sun. Of course, I would not concede the value of a modern watch; did not even own one. Well! Not a timepiece that worked in keeping accurate hours. While several adorned my smallish “junk” box secreted in a dresser drawer, neither ran. At least, one of those discarded treasures was “right” twice a day; the other just happened to be digital, thereby displaying a blank grey rectangle of no significant import, other than to announce a decidedly dead battery or some other mechanical internal misgiving which rendered it useless.

Anyway, all that gibberish aside, for now, while I lamented my surly tether to earth as another friend, the Red Tail, soared freely through a cerulean abyss, I took stock of my situation.

Blessed! Always! Don’t know the “Why” of that one, but, gratefully humbled, it is accepted.

Fortunate to have fallen into a “job”, Oh! Dear God! Not that! which afforded myriad hours of leisure time since I slaved to no time clock having garnered a position that offered me the perfect opportunity to do my work whenever it suited my fancy and in any timeframe I might choose.

That particular morn, as I lay stretched out in the wilderness, of sorts, far from any annoying phones or fellow slaves, a.k.a. employees, contemplating the importance of whether or not I might be several weeks pre-mature in an arrival at the woods to hunt wild Morels as they generally “pop” well toward the end of the “rainy” month and come in myriad numbers from the first of May through the middle of the “flower” time and arguing with myself that I might have better served today’s delectable flavor dessert with a foray to the local fishing lake to partake of an angling adventure involving the wily Red Ear hybrid blue gill species which spawn and hide out in the secret deep holes known only to a few savvy sportsmen.

The controversy actually held no confusion; the truth of the matter was not to treasure a bag full of delicious mushrooms or catch a live bag bonanza of tasty Red Ear. That self-discussion only served to allow additional laziness on my backside watching the antics of Mr. Red Tail. The eternal “chase” of the adventure proved to be the prize. Simple! Concise! Succinct! Easy! Pure!

Later, around the noon hour, as the Morels sizzled in a heavy cast iron skillet alongside fileted Red Ear fitted out in similar fashion, I had previously “won” the argument by slipping on over to the lake for a chance at the fishing,  I reluctantly managed a few short phone contacts, quickly dictated a timely report, or two. After flipping the food morsels on my way through the kitchen to the pool, having donned my swim trunks, I would take a quick swim; just to work up an appetite after such a “hard” day’s exertion. Ah! Life is Good! Yes! Indeed! For any who bother to purposely practice the essentials of turning events into adventures: Life is certainly Good!

Around three, as the sun slipped past the point of no return on its destiny with the coming dusk, I’d anticipate the kids’ arrival after a tedious day at dreaded school, for me, not them; seemed they were constantly competing with me for time with my playmates, I’d tack up the mounts for a “Yippie-yi-yae!” cowboy rodeo with a horse race through dancing water drops down at the rock bottom creek. Yeah! Mom would admonish her “kids” yet once again for getting soaked to the skin, with yet another “When will your father ever grow up?” Then, she’d lay out dry clothes, gather the soggy remnants resultant of another great adventure, shake her pretty head at the outlandish behavior and make us a delicious supper. (Sure enough---It’s dinner on the coasts; I’m just a simple country boy).

Come evening-time bringing a spring chill, we’d build a bon fire around which we’d sit on logs or overturned buckets roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, letting the curs join in the festivities while we told tall tales of Morels, Red Ear, Red Tail and school yarns. C’est la vie!

In spite of my childish irreverence in keeping the Faith! Through reverence for living, on my terms, offers for promotion came, often. Each politely refused. Freedom is not for sale! Amen!

And, come the day, sometime, I’ll revisit my youth through elder status and contently smile:

 

All we ever will have to offer is Love! to one another

The very best we can do is Good! toward each other

 

Live! Love! Laugh! Focus contemplate!

Vigilant be! Not one future be ever late!

 

 

Faith! Family! Freedom! Might just be all there really---is

In one eternal instant, the only mercy judgment will be…His!

Amen!

 

Where?

 

Simple! Again! The: Where? Right here! Right now! In this gift of time and space! Amen!

Yesterday is history. Today is present---Now!. Tomorrow? Maybe. It’s not our choice.

“Thy” will be done… Always! And, Forever! Amen!

Serendipity? Indeed! Stop searching for the “answers”; they are right there before thee. Clear!

Most pray those sacred words when speaking the Lord’s Prayer. Yes! But, many hear “My” will be done. Then, man forces the errant issue and marvels at the disarray resultant. Come on!

The “Cool” definition of “Insanity” is doing the same thing over and over again and then being totally surprised at the same vacant result. Wow! Keep it: Simple! By being: Humble!

Happiness really is that easy. Don’t believe it? Try it for a day. A month. Year. For: Life!

Challenge everything, especially what you already know to be “Truth!”

Defeating ignorance is simply refusing to believe the “Lie”. Even when everybody else agrees to an un-truth, the evil is still---a lie! Simple…again.

Begin each dawn with prayer, however you define that sacred responsibility. Let each word, thought and deed throughout the day be reflective of an intense effort to Praise! Honor! Glorify! God. He gets all the credit; every nuance of Good! Those gifts from Him are sacred Blessings!

If you are sleeping, waking, eating, speaking, breathing, whatever, offer it as humble prayer.

Humble thyself. Practice kindness in words, thought, deed. Give Thanks. Encouragement.

When you absolutely have to brag, bestow the accolades on another. Build them up.

Our daughter sent us a drawing which her child had penciled, a dog that looked so real I could have sworn it licked me. Immediately I called our little Darling and lavishly praised her talent and ability. This eleven year old angel politely allowed her doting grandfather to finish; then, she said, “Just wait until you see Annie’s sketch.” Wow! The saints among us! Indeed! Amen! (Anna Marie is Lexi’s surrogate sister, both the same age. Lauren is two years older and just as humble. I would fully expect the same reply from each of them.) To wit: Faith! Family! Freedom!

 

 

When?

 

No time like the present! Get started. It’s easier than you think. Simply imagine: Success!

Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick! Four seconds lost. Gone! Forever! Just do it---Now! Merci!

Made an acquaintance out Oregon-way, some years ago, now. Forrest (his real name) was a tender eighteen by the calendar, then. Quite the character, he was. Had already spent a couple of summers up Alaska-way hiring out on fishing boats for three months to earn money; in that short summer season he pocketed over twenty thousand dollars. Not bad coin collecting in those days.

Attending his high school graduation ceremony at which all four hundred plus honorees looked spiffy in their handsome caps and gowns while most of the boys sported freshly shined shoes which occasionally peeked out from the hem of the gowns and every girl-graduate sported fashionable high heels in a varied array of myriad hues as they proudly stepped through the magic portal from childhood toward, finally, that long-awaited entrance to the adult mecca. All in all: Quite a day! For graduates and spectators, alike.

From the bleachers in the gymnasium, I had a “bird’s-eye” view of the festivities; I watched for my friend Forrest to march in. At last, here he comes wearing that impish grin I can still picture in my mind, today. Made me wonder what he was up to; had to be something---Good!

Then, I spied his feet peeking out from the bottom of his robe. Holy cow! Sandals!

That I found myself surprised is the surprise! That’s Forrest! My young, irreverent friend!

So, now the query of: How? Indeed. The answer, like other understandings, is: Simple!

By the year of Forrest’s twentieth year, he had visited each of the seven continents! Wow!

He was not some rich kid whose family funded his excursions; not by a long shot. On those treks, he worked his way along doing whatever job presented itself. In Columbia, South America, he hired out as a laborer in an emerald mine. One day, the roof caved in on his head, fracturing his skull. They brought him twenty miles through the jungle in the bucket of a high lift where he finally received medical attention. Guess he has a hard head, he survived the ordeal.

 Forrest became a “Smoke Eater” jumping out of airplanes to fight forest fires. Imagine that!

He married a girl of kindred spirit; they serve on the same fire team.

But, the question I get when I relate Forrest’s worldly adventures is: How? Visited all seven!?

Easy! He did it: “one” step at a time! First one, then, another, and on and on! Easy! Simple!

Skepticism betrays the petitioner when I offer that analysis. Doubt! Yet, it is the Truth!

The problem with most of us is: Taking that First step! Therein lays the rub. A lack of Faith!

They say a college education is very expensive, and, of course, that surmise is true.

But, try Ignorance! Now, there is an eternal expense. Challenge with courage!

 

 

How?

 

A constant truth: Everything is: Simple! How? By simply beginning! Yes! Really! How so?

Try this: Next time you are in a store or just walking on the street, consciously decide that at the very next individual you encounter, you will pause, smile and say, “Hello!” Then, pause. If they don’t run off, Add something like, “Gee! I couldn’t help but notice your outfit, it’s fetching on you.” Then, politely nod and say, “Hope you have a fine day.” And, be on your way.

Yeah! I know. Desperate guys try this stuff all night long in the local honkey-tonks. Hopefully, your motivation is more pure. Like---Crystal! I practice this just to make someone smile. Whether they do, or not, is not my decision; all I can do is the very best I can do. Amen!

If you’re too shy to speak, simply make eye contact and smile. If nothing else comes of the experiment, well, so be it. At least, they’ll wonder what is wrong with you, being so happy and all. “Never let ’em see you sweat!” And, “Always keep ’em guessing!” Good advice.

While there exist myriad avenues to achieving “Happiness!” these are some sacred examples:

 

 

The Eight Beatitudes:

Matthew 5: 3-10

 

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Blessed are they who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

 

 

Blessed are the meek, for

they shall inherit the earth.

 

Blessed are they who hunger

and thirst for righteousness

for they shall be satisfied.

 

Blessed are the merciful,

for they shall obtain mercy.

 

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they shall see God.

 

Blessed are the peacemakers.

for they shall be called

children of God.

 

Blessed are they who are persecuted

for the sake of righteousness, for

theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

And…

The Ten Commandments

 

 

1.      I am the Lord thy God;

Thou shalt have no strange

Gods before Me.

 

2.      Thou shalt not take the name

       of the Lord thy God in vain.

 

3.      Remember to keep

the Sabbath

 

4.      Honor thy father

       and thy mother

 

5.      Thou shalt not kill.

 

6.      Thou shalt not

            commit adultery.

 

7.      Thou shalt not steal.

 

8.      Thou shalt not bear false

witness against thy neighbor.

 

9.Thou shalt not covet thy

Neighbor’s wife.

 

10. Thou shalt not covet thy

neighbor’s goods.

 

Of interest to note: Of the Ten Commandments, the first three prescribe the manner of man’s love for God; the final seven speak of man’s love toward one another. Interesting!

 

 

And, finally---the most difficult query…Why?

 

Why? Yes, Indeed! Why?

The most difficult of the queries’ answers to discern. Because the solving requires: Truth!

If you should decide to employ any of these offerings, whatever might be your motivation, and, those inclinations can be as varied and myriad as the number of individuals participating in the endeavor, then expect nothing in return; virtue is its own reward. Another tried truism!

Selfless as these suggestions are, they may be quite selfish in nature, if not of intention.

Any realized satisfaction from practicing “Good” is a self-experienced pleasant enigma. If the practitioner’s execution toward another is designed solely to benefit only the recipient, that implementation is pure, unadulterated with any impurity of possible self-centered contamination.

Is delivery of a “Good” deed of its own merit, enough? Perhaps.

A better inquiry might be stated: Is unconditional Love! freely delivered, Good merit? Yes!

Motivation goes to “Intent”, not to purpose unless result is only intended for the recipient.

To explain: Perhaps. I believe that I am Santa Claus; it is my nature to give; such allows great pleasure in my heart and soars a pleased spirit. It’s what I do, as best I can afford.

My lovely wife and I have determined over the years that of the countless in need, nothing is as heart rendering as a child without gifts at the celebration of Christ’s birth. So, since she works in an establishment where many citizens are encountered in day to day dealings, she keeps her eye peeled for some needy individual. At Christmas, we manage to put aside some coins for just such occasion, purchase, wrap and deliver the offerings to the child, or, sometimes, children and parents, depending on circumstances, both their own, and, our financial condition. The utter and unrestrained joyous reaction has never been the least bit disappointing; the true pleasure is in seeing their resultant happiness. As I said, that delight pleasures the heart and soars the spirit.

I carry “treats” like candy bars or sweet confections; you just never know when the possibility might arise and I, as Santa Claus, all year long, all this lifetime space, want to be ready; selfish I do not want to miss such a gift of an opportunity to spread the “Joy!”

To simplify the tale without it growing, unnecessarily into a tedious tome, which you might consider is already well beyond “too late”, let us surmise that Mr. and delightful Mrs. Santa Claus is to meet a friend of a friend for the first time. Well! Now! Right up old Santa’s alley!

Loading coat pockets with various “Goodies” for the children which old Santa had been informed were the girls of the new to-be-met friend of a friend; off we went for the rendezvous.

Surprise! No kids. Oh! She did have a pair of young girls, but they were absent, so old Santa shrugged off the disappointment and gave the treats to Mommy asking her to pass them on. Another “Good” deed performed. So I thought at the time, and, for a long period after the fact.

In a good-hearted discussion on the quality-value of people in general, Santa announced that he knew more “Good” people in this world, than evil ones, directly contrary to my erudite debate nemesis who erroneously charged that Santa did not know any people so he could not make a blanket statement of that magnitude. Santa disagreed, arguing that man’s nature is to do “Good” and while “sin” is rampant, virtue is triumphant, both in spirit and numerical per-cent value.

Turns out, the previously “unknown”, whom Santa had only met on one occasion, committed murder at a later date proving that “all” people are “bad” as the debater quickly reminded Santa.

The point: Bestowing “Good” is not dependent on the virtue of the recipient, rather, upon the intent of Santa Claus. Is murder evil? Indeed! But, those little girls are still---Innocent! Amen!

Motivation goes to intent! If I ever meet these children; I shall bestow “Good” upon them!

Why? Truth is a virtue-dance of quality Love! No matter who may call the tune. Amen!