This week I was tempted (did not succumb to it) to feel sorry for myself. Has that ever happened to you? We were bested this week by another firm on a deal we were working on and I was tempted . . . to feel sorry for myself.

While experiencing this temptation to think about this little loss we had, I saw a news article where our President got up from his chair in the oval office and went to Walter Reed Hospital to give the Purple Heart to a young Army soldier who lost a leg in battle. That young soldier’s life has been changed forever.

Needless to say, I felt ashamed for even allowing the temptation to feel sorry for myself to cross my mind. I just buttoned up my chin strap and got back in the game. We are a grateful nation who have lost many young men and women in service to our country. We are also a nation who needs a reality check every now and then on what is important and what is not. Today I gave myself that reality check over some little deal I was working on and came away realizing that it was just that. A little deal that means nothing compared to what is going on in that young soldiers life and the life of his family.

Being thankful is one of the cornerstones to a life of love, joy, peace and fulfillment. Pause today and put the failures aside and count the blessings in your life. You will be amazed at what being truly thankful feels like. KT

Below is one of the best poems i have every read. It reminds me that one of the greatest achievements in life is to get to the place where you quit trying to impress others and recognize your own short comings. ha

Lord, Though knowest better than I know myself that I am
growing older and will some day be old. Keep me from the fatal
habit of thinking I must say something on every subject an on
every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out
everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful
but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not
to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at
the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give
me wings to get to that point. Seal my lips on my aches and
pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is
becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace
enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure
them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing
humility and a lessing cocksureness when my memory seems to
clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson
that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint,
some of them are so hard to live with- but a sour old person is one
of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good
things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people.
And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
Amen. 

Pictures are a funny thing. They capture the time periods of joy, pain, boldness, failure and even periods of uncertainty. I have often said, you can read someone eyes because they are the windows into the soul.

I was looking at some pictures recently and remembering the time periods with the joys and also the struggles represented in the people in the pictures. It was really humbling to know where they are today and to know that God had his hand on them during the struggle period and brought them out of the other side.

If anyone questions if there is a God, all they have to do is look at pictures of themselves during difficult periods and then look in the mirror at themselves today. The only difference between the two is the hand of God. I have a dear friend that has tried for many years to intellectualize God and just can’t seem to wrap his mind around the idea that there is a God and he does exist. The idea that all this (look around you) just happened by itself, is frankly the response of an unlearned person. For me it is far harder to believe that all this just happened than to believe there is a God that created it. In such matters I suppose I am a simple person that simply believes.

Pictures tell a story that is inescapable. You just cannot hide joy or sadness. It is in the eyes. While there are certainly pictures of people that progressed downward in life, for me, what a joy it is to look back at pictures of the ones I love and see the progression from where they were to where they are now. You cannot do this without letting praise to God fall from your lips.

This weekend is Easter. Look past the bunnies and eggs and come full face with a God that was and is real today and is standing at the door knocking. KT

Last year, I had a chance to trade an old Chevy truck I had in on a Ford Lightning truck. I did not hesitate and just said ok.

A Ford Lightning is a short bed step side Ford truck with a 5.4 litter V8 with a factor installed super charger. Ford built the truck (new version) for only six years from 1999- 2004 and it is a fairly rare vehicle. A super charger is a belt driven air induction system on top of the engine intake that takes an already potent engine and makes it something really special.

The one I have is a red 2002 that has never been wrecked or even significantly scratched and I love it!

The other day I took it to the grocery store about a mile from my house and I barked the tires four times before I could get to the store. Ha. I couldn’t help it! It is an automatic and when it grabs second gear, it sounds like a hound dog barking on the front porch. The other day I was down in the garage doing something and had to stop and just look at it for a while

Anyway, I am pretty sure there will be no cars in heaven but if there was a section for car enthusiasts, there would probably be line of Ford Lightnings. KT