Growing up, the chance for me to have a stronger confidence was not provided - being an athletic guy, who needed (and
still needs) a sport. Competitive sports were frowned on by some Christians and seen
as "ungodly" by my preaching dad.
I have therefore had to fight an overly intense battle at
times, just to be who I am today. My present freedom... my normal, athletic, self...
have been fought very hard for, by me - with very little support and
encouragement, except for some kind family and friends who understand my fight.
These people see my potential, spiritually and athletically. They do not
advise me to become a "missionary" in a far away land. You see? Coming from
a strangely religious background, I have had to overcome so much - and do a lot
of healing, and address a lot of nonsense.
And while I greatly appreciate morals (showing gratitude is,
I think, the best moral I learned from my parents), I am greatly disheartened
by a mere lip-service kind of love, in which there is no evidence, action and
proof of the real thing.
You can have all the values and morals you want to, but if
you don't have charitable love, for which you have proof for, what do you have?
Love, to be meaningful, must be proven with evident and charitable action (real
action).
Also, I have at times reflected on my childhood and I
would like to share some thoughts. I feel I should suggest that children ought to be raised and taught according to their individual strengths, and particular
needs, with understanding of where they might excel and where their
yet-to-be-seen and untapped potential actually is. What imagination or
empowering vision might unleash an outpouring of excellence? Education (public,
private or home-schooling) should not be like a factory... producing inhibited,
limited, greatly restricted and confined students. Parents (and teachers, too)
must not be pushy, but rather supportive, understanding and faithfully
encouraging. Counsel: show real faith in verifiable, clear, acts of charitable
love. Children normally have a lot of positive energy. Do not discourage such a
gift, rather allow flourishing - in such a way where this is kindly true, brilliant,
healthy and generous.
Childhood experience is important, and for many years I've
had to dig deep and try to find positive memories, just to get by in
the present - which seems to be a continual state of survival, rather than a
life being fully lived.
Some say "forget the past," or "move
on!" But I know that the positive things, especially, of the past should not be
forgotten.
To some extent, every time I train, run or hike (where there
are mountains) I'm reliving memories and things familiar and positive to me.
For years, I've survived and not fully lived. I'm still a
survivor, but I continue to hope for a better life... as a hockey player,
especially.
Engaging in physical activity helps to sustain me
spiritually. This helps to take my mind off a sometimes bleak present.
It's an unexciting fact, but sometimes life is more about
surviving than living. If you don't conform to what the masses say and do, you
pay a price. If you want to have genuine freedom, you must have a lot of
courage.
I would like to say that good times and healthy memories can
be like a steady foundation, on which you can presently build. Remember the times
when things were perfect, then desire good things now.
I'm thankful for music also, as well as the positive memories (I have been blessed with) to draw upon.
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