Ben Sayin'

I’ve chosen “Simple” and John 13:34 as my go-to for 2012, because I tend to complicate things and when I need to make the choice to love, I don’t.

Here are just a few examples of this before putting my One Word into action:

• Small group discussion time, I rush through the questions and completely miss out on conversation.
• When they needed me the most, I stop talking and try to avoid a friend because of their “sitch,” and how uncomfortable it makes me feel.
• My neighbor is outside. He’s divorced, he’s lonely and he’s cranky. He needs and longs for conversation. I hurry into my garage and into my house.
• My other neighbor is out pulling weeds. I don’t know his name, and I don’t know anything about him, simply because I’ve never made the effort.

Of course, in all of these true instances my wife and/or my children or somebody was watching. I am not proud of the legacy I am leaving behind. So in thinking about on my “One Word” for 2012, I’ve decided to dedicate my once a year post to complete this series, about “Apo,” and his legacy. Continue Reading…

Imagine a world with this word placed in everybody’s vocabulary, before the word “Love.” It would seem impossible, right?

Now think about the first time you ever told anybody outside of your immediately family. Think about it, why did you do that? Or if you haven’t yet, why would you?

Were you pressured into doing it?

Or did you have some grandiose and romantic plan on saying it at a beach just as the waves crashed upon the rocks so as to drown out your undying and unfathomable love proclamation, only to have her go “What?” and then as the waves die down you say it again, and the orchestra plays a ballad and you walk off into the sunset? –  (by the way, as far as my daughters know, an orchestra will be on stand by when their soon to be fiancé tells them he loves them for the first time. Because if there isn’t one, well then… to the curb. Ya know? but, I digress)…

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