Let's Talk About Words

Friday December 31, 2134    I look at the gray envelope with the dark red ink in my hand. It was delivered one week ago to everyone over the age of sixteen. I turn it over and over in my hand looking at the front and at the back for any marking that I might have missed, as I have done, every day since I received it. On the front of the envelope is printed simply: Peyton Milner 100 Year Celebration of World Unification Do not open until January 1, 2135 when instructed https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7

   Let's reframe the phrase, "Take the good with the bad." Why do we need to define events and situations in our lives as bad? Just like other people, I have definitely had my ups and downs in my life. The times that would be defined as "the good" would be my wedding, my three children, traveling, a close family, as well as my writing my books. What could I define as "the bad"? In many ways, the same exact situations would be the bad. I ended up divorced; I worry about my children; there are always problems when traveling; maintaining a close family takes work and at times sorrow, and writing surely has it's joys and despair. These "bad" situations, events and even so called "evil" people have taught me so much about life, about others as well as about myself. How can I label anything as bad or evil if it produces so much good? Instead, in the future, I choose to "Take the good with the challenges." https://

    Recently, I was reading a letter from my pen pal who is in prison. We had been writing about our summertime past times, and he said that he is used to being in prison now, but that he misses just going out on his father's boat, fishing with him. Often people talk about that on our death bed. They say that we will never wish that we worked more or spent more time away from our families, yet it is more than that. Life is lived in the little things. My hope is that I can remember that in my life and enjoy those simple moments with my family and even in my work. https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan

   At Willow Creek Community Church tonight Steve Carter spoke about temptations. He asked us to think about what our bait is? What in life pulls your focus off of God? Many people have behaviors and habits that keep them from God and even prevent them from being happy. As I thought about my life, I realized that it is good times and success that lures me away from church, prayer and ultimately God. Like some people are fair-weather friends, I am a bad weather friend to God. When my life is going well, and I am happy, then I forget to pray; I am too busy for church, and I ignore God and his promptings. Then when life is heading in the wrong direction, or I am confronted with sorrow and challenges, I wonder where God is and why he has deserted me. Are you like me or are there other things that lure you away from your faith?

I can finally fall asleep with that future life in my thoughts. As I drift off, I think that even though I am scared, this has been a great day... https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/riding-waves/id898142854?mt=11 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/riding-waves-susan-marie-schulhof/1119940881?ean=9781483531601 http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Waves-Susan-Marie-Schulhof-ebook/dp/B00LQABJLW/ref=sr_1_47?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406176791&sr=1-47&keywords=riding+waves https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7