Why Live? Sharing Time

Why go on living? This question can be answered with one word. Sharing.


You see, when a person is born, time is created. That’s right; time is created.


Think about the story of a 17 year old football star who volunteers his time helping a handicapped kid.


The time the young man gives to the kid is cherished; yes, cherished by that handicapped boy. Everyday the young man is to arrive, the child begins smiling, gets happy and nothing, not even his physical conditions can get him down.


If the young man had given up at age 13 when his classmates were bullying him; if the young man’s mother had given up on her pregnancy 17 years earlier, then the time spent with that handicapped boy never would have been.


So you see, time is created at birth. Simply not wasting it; not throwing it away when it can be shared with others is a very good reason to go on living.


The time created when you were born is extremely valuable. Don’t waste it. Don’t throw it away. Find a way to share it. Then, as the young football star discovered, you will get more out of the deal than you could ever imagine.

Death in the Family: Thoughts

Losing someone is very difficult. On December 22, I lost my Dad.


And now I find myself thinking of him often, only recalling his youthfulness, not his elderness.


I remember how strong he was; how confident and I compare the way I think of him to the person I am.


Then, as I think, I begin to do math in my head. “I remember when my dad was my age, and he lived 27 more years, so do I also only have 27 years left?” This is disturbing thought.


I want to live my best life, and if I spend it recklessly, I might be very disappointed at my end.


What’s the point of this? I suppose I want you to know it is okay to ponder your death. What will it mean to those around you? What does it mean to be dead? If you are on your death bed, what thoughts might you experience.


Your life is valuable. Don’t end it before you reach your potential. There is no such thing as a lost cause; you are a diamond that needs to shine.

Inner Strength will get You Through Tough Times

I broke my leg last Sunday. Right after it happened I called out to my wife who was in the house wrapping Christmas presents. She didn’t hear me.


So, there I was on my hands and knees in the yard, and I wasn’t sure if I could stand yet. I knew I couldn’t stay there for ever, so I drew on my inner strength and stood.


I hobbled up my porch steps even though my leg was bursting with blinding pain.


The way I dealt with this is the same way you can deal with your problems.

You can’t wallow in the grip of negativity, so pull yourself together. Draw on your inner strength and realize you are truly a great person.


With your inner strength, you can get through your problems, and someday you’ll look back and see they made you stronger.

Your Smile can light up the world

Even when life is raining on you; Even if you are cold; You can always look for a brighter side.


I, for instance, am sick. I have an illness that robs my body of protein. This has caused all kinds of depressing setbacks for me. including blindness and unemployment.


I do feel angry at times. I do feel sad and depressed sometimes. Yet, I know that life isn’t over… it’s just different.


Even with these emotions, I remember everything I’m grateful for… the more important things.


I’m grateful for my family. I’m happy I’m still here and that I do have good days, and I cherish the opportunities I get to spend time with my nieces and nephews.


You’ve got acknowledge your own special things that make life worth living and hang on tightly to them.

Happy Thanksgiving from Me

I hope your find yourself blessed this week as Thanksgiving passes and the Christmas shopping season begins.   life is short, so It's a shame if you allow yourself to get stressed out.

If you are a girl, I want you to know I'm putting together what I hope is an interesting slide show.

It expresses my saddness at what the world has sold to your gender.  I have empathy for you and I hope this video will relate.

God bless this year and I hope, again, that God blesses you.

Repeat after me, "I am an awsome person.  I am worthy of living happily. "

The only person you can ever control, is you,.  So, your happiness, as promised as it is, is only acheived by opening doors yourself.

Think of  "Doors"  as choices you make.  Here are some examples:  confiding in a particular friend, trusting a parent, staying away from drugs, not hurting yourself, reactions to adversity.

I know these choices are easier said than done, but every  worth-while- important task is  that way.

And you my dear friend, are worth while!

Choose to find a healthy way to cope with (and changd)  your situation.  You can do this  by opening the rught combination of doors:  Leading to increased happiness.

You can Express Your Feelings with a Poem

Here's part of a poem I wrote when I thought I was being used by the woman I wanted to marry.  I didn't know what to think.  So, this poem emerged and expressed those feelings.  

"Walking this lonely highway again,
I sense the truth is bent;
like a dangerous curve without a warning sign
looming ahead:

And the wind that slices so deep and so cold
cant compair to the fear
that seems to unforld;
When you're gone and I feel that I walk alone.

Not even the beautiful stars seem to help.
They shine and they twinkle,
but they're as cold and as sharp as the edge of this road,
and that knife in your hand is your heart
on the lamb..."

You could write a poem and address your feelings like I did.  It really helped to put my feelings on paper... it's a way to get them out.  If it helped me, maybe it could help you.

If you write a poem,  submit it in the comment form.  I want to read it.  If you'd like me to post it without your name published, I'll do it.

Journey to Peace is Made one Step at a Time

When I say, “Don’t do it”, I know I sound overly dramatic, and that’s how I want to sound.


Ending your life is a final act that could not be more final.


A health teacher of mine in Utica, NY once described how misplaced the idea of suicide is.


He described how some folks think of suicide in terms of “getting even” with those who mistreated them.


He explained the attitude that says, “they’ll miss me when I’m gone” is mute because the one whose life is taken won’t be around to bask in his/her self righteousness.


In other words, if you are thinking of suicide to gain a final sense of sympathy from another, you are wasting your time, as well as your life.


Instead, do constructive, positive things that will change your situation. It is said that a journey of 1000 miles begins with just one step. If this is true, then you can reach a sense of peace in your life by making little adjustments that will accumulate; eventually adding up to your goal of happiness.


Before doing anything drastic, consider this better option of little steps. Then, your can feel a sense of pride for making decisions that you’ll be around to enjoy.

Journal to Joy

I said "journal" to joy, but this is only one step along a "journey" toward joy.

Sometimes, it helps to have an outlet; a place to vent your emotions.  You can do this with a journal. 

Simply get a notebook, or use your computer and begin writing stuff everyday.  You can write as if it were a diary, or write poetry, songs, rap lyrics.

I was writing in one during a very difficult time in my life.  It seemed like every woman I met only wanted to use me.

I wrote this poem in my journal when I was angry:

"This is for some of  of the women I've known
vein, pompus, beyond reproach..."It continues.
..Anyway, that poem has a lot of meaning for me, even today.

You should try this.  Putting your thoughts down on paper is an effective way to sort through feelings. 

How to Stop Destructive Intrusive Thoughts

Do you have intrusive thoughts of hurting or even killing yourself? Do those thoughts entice you to find out what that would be like?
Do those thoughts lead you to believe you’d be better off if you gave in to them?


Let me tell you, you don’t have to listen to them. Let me tell you, please don’t give into them.


You should call the suicide hotline number on the right side of this page.


You are too important a person to let yourself fall into the grip of destructive thoughts!


Many people, whether or not you realize it, love you and need you.


Amu comments you might leave on this page will be kept confidential. So, if you want, you can tell me what’s going on with you and I’ll advise you here on this page without mentioning your name. You’ll know I’m talking to you.

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You are Awesome!

You are an awesome person, and don’t let anyone tell you different. People who don’t think so just don’t know you.

I know.  I know you are a good person. You really care for others, and don’t just act like it because you are supposed to.

This means you are genuine. I hope you know this is a good thing.

Smile and be strong because people are counting on your success. Others will look up to you and follow your example.

Remember that.

Another Way to Think about Mean People

Mr. Henry Jones at the bus station in Jackson, Mississippi said something to me Friday that I want to pass along to you.

We talked about bullying and I mentioned this website. This is what he said:


“Too many people have … voices but don’t know how to speak… legs and don’t know how to walk; eyes but can’t see.” Sure they can say, do and see stuff, but they haven't learned about humility and kindness.


Think about this for a minute. What does this mean?


If a person says a bunch of rotten things, and doesn’t know what he/she is saying (because they don’t know how to speak) you should not let those words bother you.


Instead, smile and pity them…. Then tell them, “I’m going to pray for you.”


Afterwards, follow through and do what you said by praying.

When Life gives you Hell, Look for Heaven Anywhere you can Find it!

This is a fine example of what I'm talking about. Something as simple as this can make problems seem very small. Find heaven in your own life and hang on to it. Visit your own heaven whenever you are down... Smile, and don't be afraid to laugh.   When the opportunity comes along, take it. 

Ugly Comments: NOT WORTH YOUR TIME

Sometimes people say dirty, rotten, terrible, and mean things. I know this because I heard them when I was a kid.  On the school bus one afternoon, I was asked by a friend, “Who do you like?” I answered shyly, “Christine Lockhart.”

A girl in the seat ahead of me overheard, turned around, and said, “You’re too short, stupid and ugly for her to like you!”  That girl’s venomous words had stung  just as surely as any bee sting ever couldt.

I ran through the door, and I was bawling.  I remember the words my mother spoke that afternoon. She said, ”People who purposely try to make you feel bad about yourself are not the ones you need to measure your self worth by. “

Then she looked at me and said, “Consider the source. A person worthy of impacting your self-image would never abuse it like that girl did. Therefore, let it go in one ear, and out the other.”

And, she stressed that last sentence.

You are Like a Diamond!

Thanks for being you! Don’t let anyone change you because you are so special!


You often have trouble, but trouble makes you stronger.


Like a diamond that is formed deep within the Earth. It began as only something like a lump of coal, but extreme temperature and pressure turned it into a diamond.


You are this way. You are under pressure and dealing with a lot of turmoil that you will grow from.


You will be so strong when you make it through that nothing will stop you from being happy ever again.

This hard time you are going through is like a tunnel. Sooner or later you’ll emerge back into wonderful sunlight.

God Made You Special

God made you special.  I assure you He did!

He knows you are special and so do I.  You are a gift to be treasured by all of us.

When people treat you bad, they are too blinded by the world to see who you are.  So, you have to keep being you.  You don’t need their approval, because you have met the approval of God.  You want proof?

You are here!  That’s proof.    If you are good enough for God, who are they to make you feel bad?  You shouldn’t let them make you feel bad about yourself.

Read these statements aloud 7 times whle looking at yourself in the mirror: "God made me special.  I am special."

You are Wonderful!!!

You are a wonderful person!  Your spirit is beautiful!  When you get down the road of time, just think of how you’ll be able to help someone who is going through what you are feeling now.

This is why you can’t give up.  There is nothing wrong with you.  This world has tried convincing you there is, but You and I know better.

So, get some help. 

If there is nobody in your immediate family who can help, look elsewhere.  Look for “real friends” who won’t dismiss you. 

Real friends won’t, you know.  They’ll stick by you through everything and won’t judge you.

I’m not judging you, I’m  encouraging you to be YOU!

Draw a Picture that Shows your Feelings

Draw a picture that depicts your feelings, then send it to me.

My address is 419 Bawcom St.  Box 1 -- West Monroe, LA  71292

Or, if you can, e-mail it to taverned@hotmail.com

I'll post your drawings here along with any words you use to explain them.  I want you to share your feelings with us.  I'll keep your name in convidence, and not divulge it unless you tell me you want me to.

Thinking of Ending Everything? This First Post is for YOU!

You are a very important person.  You are special, and God made you for a reason.

People can be nasty and ugly, but that's no reason to end everything.  Ending everything means you'll never be married, and your kids will never be born.   This means you'll never know the warmth of their smiles and the tenderness of their soft skin against your cheek.

Ending everything means people who love you now will wonder where they went wrong, when you and I know it wasn't them at all.

Ending everything will deprive the world of you; a you who can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

Don't give up, instead give love to yourself and stick around.  You make the world a better place by being here.