VT Tragedy-Lessons to Learn

It is finally raining in many places of the Eastern USA that have desperately needed it! Water can help the vegetation to WAKE UP or if splashed in someone's face, can help them be startled to sudden alertness. Of course, too much water, like recently in places in Florida, can actually lead to tragedy. Sometimes, if it is a steady, rainy day, it can also lull you into a state of sleepiness. Regardless of how water may effect you, and regardless of what tragedy you might face, you and I need to WAKE UP!

By now, most reading this have surely paid some attention to the 29th Modern Summer Olympic Games that will be concluding this coming Sunday. There are many incredible stories, including the most publicized story of the amazing US swimmer, Michael Phelps, who won a record 8 gold medals in this 2008 Olympic Games. The best athletes in the world are competing in their various sports, trying to achieve the status of the best in the world in their sport. Now, what might this have to do with the theme of this website? There are many lessons to be learned from what it takes to be an Olympian and lessons we each can apply when facing the tragedies of life.

If you have read several of the blogs on this website, you may have noticed a key theme: What we think about and focus or meditate on will have a direct effect on how we feel and how we view the tragedies of life. If we focus on the positive and the promises that GOD gives us in the Bible, we will be able to prevail through any circumstances in life. The key is having a focused mind...

Do you remember the movie, "What About Bob?" and the Vacation Therapy that was suggested there? It was, "Take a vacation from your problems!" :-) While you can't escape the reality of tragedy and the realities of life, it is not a bad idea to take a break from the intensity and closeness you have to any tragic event or sad circumstances of life. When there is a tragedy, you will find yourself focused on it for days, weeks, and maybe even longer. Just be careful not to take a vacation from your mind and what will really help...

There is nothing funny about tragedy, yet life is full of humor, if one is able to see it. It is important that despite any tragedy in your life, you do not allow yourself to remain so angry or sad that you become bitter or discouraged. There are times to cry and times to laugh. In fact, the Bible (before the Beatles ;-) ) speaks about the different aspects of life and times that are appropriate for certain emotions...

We are approaching 08-08-08 and many are planning to be married on this day of "new beginnings." While that is not what I am talking about in this blog entitled love life, it is an interesting parallel thought. :-)

When Tragedy comes into your life, you naturally begin to focus on the circumstances of what happened. If your focus remains on the bad circumstances, you will begin to lose sight of the bigger picture (c.f. my 04-26-08 Blog "PERSPECTIVE") and the good that can come. Focusing on the tragedy alone will also lead to negative thinking of what could happen in the future (worry). If you LOVE LIFE, you will learn to accept the good and the bad, awaiting the day when only the good will prevail...

You will either live your life by Fear or FAITH--which is in essence Feeling, or else you will live by Sight, which is limited and often controlled by feeling. Why is this my blog emphasis today? What does this have to do with prevailing through the VT Tragedy and all the tragedies of life? It is illustrated perfectly through the tragedy in my life (stemming from the VT Tragedy) that will come to a court trial at the end of this month.

The news of the fires in Paradise, California show the devastation that "natural disasters" can bring. It brings my mind to think about the root of why the Virginia Tech Tragedy occurred. It makes me wonder if GOD is not trying to get the attention of one of our States because of the recent ground breaking judicial activist decision. It reminds me of why evil is so rampant in many parts of the world and even why there are also devastating disasters in nature. It is because Paradise was lost....

As noted in my 05-30-08 Blog, ("Inform, Communicate and Act") communication is at the core between information and action. If the proper information is not there it cannot be communicated. If the right action does not follow, then there must be something blocking proper communication. Proper Communication is the key to proper action, even as evidenced where I worked today. If you doubt what I am saying here, just test it and see if it is not reality.