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It's hard to understand
by Bob Perks

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Hello, my friends!

I am focusing on creating what they call a "new normal."

I can't even explain it, so how can I create it?
Prayer and lots of it! (smile)
Love always and all ways,
Bob and Marianne

"It's about Time"
"A man who dares waste one hour of time has
not discovered the value of life."
Charles Darwin

Perks Pearl of Wisdom
By Bob Perks
"Be willing to understand things that may appear to be
against your way of thinking. You may be suffering
from hardening of the ego."

Today's Message:
"It's hard to understand"
by Bob Perks
It's hard to understand sometimes, but easy enough to
see. I try to make sense of things and fail to comprehend
the magnitude, width and depth of all that is mine.

Still with all of that clearly in front of me, I find myself whining
still, because I don't have this or that.

It wouldn't take much to see those around me lacking
even the stuff that I enjoy and I am nowhere near a
wealthy man by the world's standards. I have a simple
house, a car, food, a wife and family who love me.

I couldn't boast of a yacht, six figure income, tailored suits,
shoes made in Italy, or more bathrooms than bedrooms in my home.

Some of you may think that's not much.

Still others may read that and say, I rent a small apartment
with one bedroom that sleeps six. I can't afford to buy my
child a toy boat to play with and my income is below the
poverty line. As for clothes and shoes I thank God for the
Salvation Army and my church.

That's hard to understand, but easy enough to see.

I wake up in the morning and I can't feel my feet sometimes.
I walk slumped over from muscle pain until I walk long
enough not to feel it.

Some of you may say it's just old age, get used to it.

Others may be thinking that's nothing. I can't walk any more.
My legs don't function at all and I am confined to a wheel chair.
My pain is constant because I can't afford the drugs to make it
all go away. I am crippled and can hardly sit up long enough
to eat.

That's hard to understand, but easy enough to see.

I moan about the fact that I don't see my one son at all
and the other just calls any more. He's too busy to stop by.

Some of you say they have their own life, let them live it.
Be grateful, mine is in his 30's and still living here.

Others might say at least you have two sons. I lost my son
to war and my daughter to cancer. Didn't your oldest survive
his cancer? You ought to be grateful he's alive.

That's hard to understand, but easy enough to see.

I sometimes question God.

Some might say so do I.

Others might add, me, too.

Still He loves all of us, doesn't he? He never gives up on us,
does He? He sees more in us than we do, gives even when
we don't deserve it. He provides. He guides. He lifts us up
when no one else is there to do so. He forgives. He listens.

You can't deny the abundance in your life.
That's God...hard to understand sometimes, but easy
enough to see.

"I wish you enough!"
J
Bob

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information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
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My personal Mission:
"To touch the world one person at a time"
I can only do that with your help...here's how:
Please make a donation!
http://bobperks.com/donations.htm


Great resources for your life:

http://www.brothersoftheword.com/
Iinspiration for a day, faith for a lifetime!
Starting out, starting over...starting now!

"Find something beautiful!"
by Bob Perks

So many words spoken and written
today about tragedy and loss.

For the first time in my life, I am
truly at a loss for words.

Then God gave me these...
"Find something Beautiful."

So there is your challenge on
this day of remembrance of
9/11.

"Find Something Beautiful."

Begin with looking in the mirror,
then inside yourself. By the end
of this day I promise you will be
overwhelmed, not with pain and
sadness, but with all the beautiful
things you discovered.

Love always and all ways,
Bob and Marianne Perks
"I wish you enough!"
J
Bob

I encourage you to share my stories but
I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
stories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com
and submit your email address.

Links You'll Like...

If this was shared with you by
a friend, you can sign up to receive these
messages or to learn more...
Visit my website to read more of my stories:
http://bobperks.com

My personal Mission:

"To touch the world one person at a time"
I can only do that with your help...here's how:
Please make a donation!
http://bobperks.com/donations.htm

Great resources for your life:

http://www.brothersoftheword.com/

With thanks from Bob Perks with following inspiring words:

A message of Hope...stories from the road on my way to Heaven.
Essays, parables and rare moments of clarity.
By Bob Perks
"I Wish You Enough!" © 2001 Bob Perks
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys
in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

Thanks for your time to read it!
Iinspiration for a day, faith for a lifetime!
Starting out, starting over...starting now!

"Going home"
by Bob Perks

I was invited to go home.

It was a Facebook page about people
who grew up in my hometown, Kingston Pa.

I was excited to note references to places
and people I remember from my childhood.
The little stores, the great pizza and the
Firehouse Dances.

That was particularly exciting for me because
my band played there for years. The music
we played was from our time and kids my age
came there to dance, meet friends and yes,
fall in love even at an age when you couldn't
really define love.

I picked up on the places referenced but I
didn't recognize too many names. Younger
people? Older? A mix.

But my section of town wasn't represented.

I jumped in on a few conversations. No one
responded. I went back a few times to
visit again. Then I began reading negative
remarks about the town. I began defending
them. I live in this area. What they were
portraying was wrong.

One person went as far as researching current
stats on population decline and business downsizing
to defend the attacks.

"Ah, there's no place like home!"

We were once called "The Valley with a Heart," after
the Agnes Flood of 1972.

Still is. Really always was. It's the people.

The group was now "People who once lived in Kingston,
moved away and want to prove they were right
in doing so."

They left home and from their new perspective
this old Kingston was a dump. "Houses
deteriorating", "businesses boarded up."

I now live just outside Kingston. I drive through
my hometown several times a week. I eat there
I shop there and I love it.

I know there are problems like every other town.
I know there are sections that changed and faded
from the glory of the past. But it's a great town
and a great area to work, play and raise a family in.

No, it's not the "Mayberry" they remembered.
Few places are.

I decided to defend my hometown. I got slammed
by the very people who claimed it as their own, too.

The difference is they moved away. Note they still
come home once in awhile. Why, if it's so bad?
They really just ride around looking for ways to
justify leaving the area.

But they still call it home. How could they? They
put it down, criticize it and in doing so insult us.

I just look around and see beautiful homes, wonderful
people, thriving businesses, growth, opportunity and
yes, some old friends who are also still here.

It's home.

I decided to leave the group. I really don't belong to any
groups. This was the first one I joined.

I went home and saw ungratefulness, arrogance, and
some people I never really would have liked anyway.

That wasn't my Kingston.

Maybe that saying is right..."You can never go home
again." Hopefully they won't.

I'm old fashioned. I believe in my hometown. It was the
foundation of who I am today and who I will become in
all my tomorrows. I look for the good and find it in all
things.

But don't bash my hometown!
Tell me about your hometown. I'd loved to visit with you.


"I wish you enough!"
J
Bob

I encourage you to share my stories but
I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
stories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com
and submit your email address.

Links You'll Like...

If this was shared with you by
a friend, you can sign up to receive these
messages or to learn more...
Visit my website to read more of my stories:
http://bobperks.com

With thanks from the source: http://www.IWishYouEnough.com

Waves of Tranquility by Francine Pucillo

Soft the scent within the air
That offers gentle peace
Flowing through a gentleness
That shares the soul's release



Waves in glow of candlelight
Will bring a heart's delight
Traveling in this special time
Will raise the captive light



Now to rest within the place
Where heart and mind will go
Standing near the precipice
Of movements too and fro


There upon the peacefulness
Of calmness we have found
Now the sweet tranquility
Of joy in life rebounds.


~Francine Pucillo~
© February 18, 2007
used with permission. A
special thanks to Francine for
the use of her poetry, God Bless.
You may read more of poetry
by visiting her site.


With thanks from the source: http://www.anchoredinhim.com/waves/tranquil.html