Synopsis "Clouds - Finding the Patterns in my Life"
We have long been taken with patterns in our lives. For centuries, the great religions of the world have attempted to describe patterns in our lives, our world, our universe. We have a compelling need to understand, what to expect from the gods, from ourselves. We don't do well with uncertainty, and many have found a comforting certainty in their religious faith and practices. For centuries, scientists have searched for the patterns in nature explaining everything from orbital mechanics to nuclear fusion to neuro-immuno-psychiatry. I have found certain patterns yield amazing changes in my life. Being honest, open-minded, and willing to embrace new thoughts and new practices allows me to be rocketed into a 4th dimension of living. Suiting up, showing up, and asking God, "What's the next right thing? What are we doing next?" The most important patterns in my life include daily meditation, consistent prayer, regular exercise in the morning, being nice, helping others, giving more, taking less, and living in the present. These patterns increase my chances of living a purposeful life filled with meaning. I will trust God's spirit to show me the patterns of my life and how to experience God's promise of "old things passing away and all things becoming new." These essays are but tiny facets, chips, resulting from the process of being made new - not always easy or pleasant, sometimes painful and scary. I am regularly reminded that "All things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purposes." and to "consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
