Proud to be an American

December 30,2013 

I live in a small, out of the way piece of America. The landscape is unique compared with the more populated areas. Everything pretty much looks the same now as it did when I was a child. Our roads and the farm irrigation systems have been upgraded, but everything else remains the same.

Our neighbors remain kind and helpful. The parents from the past have taught their children well. You can count on them to look after one another. We feel safe and content. I’m sure most of the community still leave their keys inside their cars at night. Not many even bother to lock their doors at home.

We hear that times are changing in town. They feel a need to take their keys with them and bolt their doors. They are no longer comfortable with the changes in their town.

It saddens me to watch the decay of America. It seems to me that the freedoms and the values that our young men in the service of their country, who have given life and limb to defend our liberty, are being trampled on by those who have lost sight of the good way. Distrust and greed are creeping in ever so slowly to every corner of our land that we love. 

It pains me to watch as crime and disrespect for people and property edge even closer like a fog in the night. I have no tolerance for the idea that a lie is not a lie if it comes from the mouth of a politician. I am disgusted at the idea that the government  feels that they can take the income from the worker and give it to the idler.

My community takes care of those who fall on hard times. We feel that it is our responsibility to share in the bad times as well as the good times. We do that without the interference of the government. We have been taught from our youth to love and respect one another.

I find myself standing with my back toward what use to be, and facing the onslaught of what is coming. My heart tells me this is where I must take my stand for rights and liberty guaranteed by the constitution.

I plead with Americans, “Wake up! Let’s stand fast for the way of life that has given us peace of mind of being able to awaken each morning, knowing we are surrounded by good neighbors who care for one another… people who care for their neighbor’s survival as much as their own.”

May God help us to be wise in our decisions and active in preserving our way of life. Please support those good, courageous individuals who are fighting for our liberty. We can’t stand by any longer as a silent majority.

My friends, I am guilty of not speaking out as often as I should. Many of my dear friends are quiet and peace loving, but if we are to enjoy our way of life in the future, we must protect it now.

I’m asking for a call to action. It’s important that we keep informed about the action and activities that are going on around us. We need to know and understand every law that is being passed. We need to know that we are being bombarded with restrictions that take away our liberty. Our liberties are God given and are not to be altered by man. Freedom of choice is important enough to fight for. I fear any other way of life.

It’s time for a call to action and with a tender heart and love of all mankind, I issue this call.

I love you and find it an honor to stand beside you.

Please let your voice be heard and comment and share this post if you agree. 

All my best,

Taylor

It's the Small Acts of Service that make the Difference!

It’s the small acts of service that make a world of difference

December 29, 2013

My story today has to be written. The lessons and blessings that came from this one insignificant event has been a treasure in my life time. You never know when you may be called upon to provide a simple act of service that would open funnels of life long, nonstop, amazing events that bless your life. 

It’s very important that I present this experience to the best of my ability. Justice needs to be served because it is a window to a friendship that had to be initially formed in heaven. I am so grateful that time, event, and opportunity came together that day. 

In the fall of 1976, I awoke to a gorgeous day, you know one of those days when there is not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is not too hot or too cold. Everything was good. I was moving about my busy schedule just feeling good.

My work involved installing underground telephone cable with a small backhoe. As I moved up the highway from one project to another, I came upon a pickup truck parked at the side of the road. Thinking that the driver may be having trouble, I stopped and asked him if he needed any help. Our conversation lead to his story.

He had contracted to bore the holes for the road crossings, enabling the telephone cable to cross under. His backhoe operator was unable to come to work because of a personal tragedy. His infant son was very ill. I asked the driver if I might could dig his trenches for him. He was happy for the help. We spent the day digging his bore trenches at each road crossing. When we had finished, he asked me if he could pay me for my time, but my feelings for his backhoe operator’s situation just wouldn’t allow me to take any money. You know how you feel when you have an opportunity to help…I just felt good and said, “Give the money to your backhoe operator,” and I drove away with joy as my reward.

About a week later, I was driving my backhoe up the highway when I heard the sound of a horn honking behind me. I looked back to see someone waving their arms to stop me. That was the first day that I met Ken Richens.He was the operator who had been unable to come to work. 

Ken introduced himself and then asked me if I had been the one who had completed his trenches. He was so grateful that someone he had never met had shown such compassion. He told me that his little son, by then, had passed away.

My small offering of just a few hours, has returned dividends of hundreds upon hundreds of hours of friendship, of work projects, of service to others, and of raising our families together.

This great man has been monumental in my life. I know I can count on him, and he knows he can count on me. So you see, small acts of service can produce relationships that are more precious than gold, and I have become the recipient of that.

 If my story has been of value to you, would you please like and repost it?

Taylor

The Four Seasons Can Be Wonderful

The Four Seasons Can Be Wonderful

 December 10, 2013

Today as I look out my window at the winter wonderland that covers the landscape, I wonder if I’m up to managing six more months of cold weather. I think I’ve become accustomed to the lovely Indian summer that we have had.

After a few moments, reality came back to my mind. My circumstance is not the same as years gone by. I’m no longer forced to tackle the cold winter days that I once was required in order to bring home a paycheck each week. This is the first winter in fifty-four years that I can decide whether to stay inside or venture outside.

Freedom is amazing and I have been so busy that I almost forgot to enjoy it. I suppose that maybe I haven’t worried about freedom from the winter cold that much.

My new life’s work has totally engaged my mind and body in a good way. I am so excited about my new venture. My passion is taking advantage of my life’s experiences and putting them to work helping others reach their unbelievable freedoms.

I feel that there has never been a time when there is such a need for parents to spend quality time with their children. My need is to give back to the community and help lift others as I have been lifted. Even if this is my lofty goal, I find myself surrounded again with mentors coaching, inspiring, and teaching me. Hopefully I can find a passion that I might be an extension to their arms, reaching out to someone and assisting them aboard.

Values are Essential to a Happy Life

Values are Essential to a Happy Life

December 2, 2013

I have great admiration for anyone who have decided early in life to make values and standards an element of their life’s work. I like a man who stands for something.

A great man in my life stated, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” These special qualities do not happen by accident in one’s development. It requires a lot of attention to detail. If you are to attain these qualities, you must take command of your life. It’s best to make up your mind early to establish good habits.

It’s the little things that creep in and attach themselves to our daily activities that become burdensome. Just as a huge magnificent ship over a period of time gathers small insignificant barnacles, who attach themselves to the hull of a ship, they are so small that they go unnoticed. But over a period of time, their assault becomes cumbersome. Transforming the slick smooth sides of the hull into a rough heavy mass, slowing the ships ability to slide through the ocean waves.

Honesty, integrity and a love of fellow man are great qualities sought after by great men. These qualities take daily diligence to acquire. You can’t mix an occasional infidelity in for fun. Be wise my friends, embrace all that is good and shun all that is bad as if it were the plague. Shine and polish your hulls. Grind and cast out every spot of rust and decay. Paint and polish every day. Your act and your deed will become magnificent sepulcher for all to see as well as well as a vessel that can be counted on to lift and encourage anyone who may need a role model to follow.

I have had the good fortune of having great men and women in my life. I know from experience the sadness that one feels when we fall short of doing our very best. It’s a struggle every day to be on top of your personal goals, however good things happen to everyone who reaches down deep and takes control of their lives. When you take this personal action you lift everyone around you. I find comfort and security when I surround myself with good men and women.

My hope is that you do as well. 

I hope your holiday season brings you all the good things life has to offer.