Thoughts from the end of the world

Well, despite what a few Mayans had to say, the world is still here.

And like Michael Stipe & REM, I feel fine.

Or maybe this is the end of the world and though the fluffy unicorns, streams of Starbucks, and family & friends are no where to be found, I'm okay.

Heaven looks a lot like Cypress, Texas.

To be honest, as a kid this whole apocalypse talk would have had me scared spitless. Nukes. Bigfoot. That Night Stalker episode. King Kong and Jaws. All of those calamities resided in my closet.

But now I have an unseen hope. 

Whether the world ends today, tomorrow, or as Cloud Atlas predicts…halfway soon…then I'm going to miss my family and friends and hopefully meet them all on a distant shore…Aslan's country and all that.

So what is the worth all of the doomsday talk? 

For me- diddley, except for this one thing: to consider the life I've been given and to be more determined to give it away. My skills are few and dwindling it seems, but I do think about stuff and I can offer that up to you today.

A few thoughts from the end of the world:

• always travel together
• always be kinder than necessary
• encourage one another as long as today is called today
• you are not all that and a bag of chips; neither am i
• we are closer to all of that and a bag of chips than either of us alone
• always share your pumpkin bread
• forgive and if you can't forgive on the first or millionith try…keep going, keep trying because unforgiveness is a poison you drink and feed to your friends and family
• try something a little goofy
• karaoke at least once in your life; the humility will do you good and we'll all get a good laugh
• friendships and family are more important than being right all the time (get off your high horse)
• joyful silliness is more valuable than any stuff unless you need a kidney and then call me
• always blow on your hot chocolate before you drink 
• snow
• snow 
• snow (kind of on my mind right now)
• gratitude is the key
• mercy triumphs over judgement
• plant your corn early
• don't wait; do it today
• some days you need to fling your heart down the liftline and chase after it (Maren!)
• the lines between best friends and family blur
• get an alarm clock that doesn't make your wife want to shoot it with a paint gun
• PLAY…for the love of biscuits…PLAY!
• don't be cruel. that's just evil, foolish, and immature and people will not like nor trust you
• open your hands; life cannot be controlled or managed, but received and enjoyed
• grief visits everyone; be kind
• your camp never wins nor does my camp; we've got to work this thing out together
• it's not a conspiracy
• and you are not a victim
• it's called a DEMOCRACY, or rule by the people, so stop complaining and get involved-really
• solutions are much more fun than griping and blaming
• fuzzy slippers and a hand to hold or fuzzy ears to scratch can make the difference
• don't let folks be too lonely too long; be aware
• your wealth does not impress the people who will love you; your character will
• your "power" does not impress the people who will love you; your compassion will
• the WildCats should be everyone's first favorite team: we all look good in purple
• if you have a chance to go and do good; GO. Do GOOD.
• stay active
• sleep 8 hours
• treat what you eat as an investment in your quality of life
• hold hands as much as possible
• and read at least one good book a year (if the first book you read bites…try another until you get to at least one good book)
• God is not asleep. 
• God is neither a vindictive boor, nor a wimpy sniveling hand-wringer. 
• He is a gentleman and has given us free will rather than create automatrons (we've all seen the Matrix…no bueno)
• cultivate art, joy, literacy, hope, love, confidence, peace, truth, laughter, and ice cream wherever you go
• and remember kids: the bestest things in life are free

Now get out there and live. 

We love you so.

Take it away David Crowder, How He Loves