Back On Guard

Years ago, I’d written about guarding what’s sacred. Being vigilant and steadfast towards those things we hold near and dear to our hearts. Those things, we all have some, must be protected. For me it’s the time I take to write these lists. It’s a way to now communicate with people I don’t know. Initially, it was a way to commune with my Creator. It later evolved to a way to stave off my depression. I’ve treated this time of the day as sacred, for the most part. If you have some time like this or some items important to you, I’d suggest you do the same.

I’ve deviated or fell asleep on guard duty before. Today and yesterday I fell asleep. I answered the phone yesterday and this morning again. I enjoy being available for my friends and family, but I also need to be available for myself. I need to guard what’s sacred. I need to protect the time I’ve discovered helps me be the best version of myself. Yesterday and today I did not do that. Yesterday it was to have a conversation with my brother. This morning it was to speak with a friend visiting the states. Both, in my opinion, were great conversations and worth having. However, I didn’t guard my time and my writing.

One of the things I’ve learned from writing these lists in the morning, before I do anything else, is I’ve got clarity of mind. I’ve usually just woken up and had a few sips of coffee. I’ve opened a new document, thought of a title, and put my fingers to the keyboard and started typing. I haven’t done it this morning, but in the recent past, I perused through some of my writings. My topics varied greatly from day to day. I typically didn’t follow a particular theme, unless it was recurring at the time I wrote the lists. That’s still true, for the most part. These lists were never meant to be shared since it was between me and my Creator. It’s slightly different now because I’m writing for an audience that I haven’t even met.

I’m writing for you or someone you care about and sent this to. I’m writing for the person on a similar journey, but a little bit behind my present location. I’m writing for those struggling with their faith. I’m writing for those struggling with depression. I’m writing for those with doubts about their ability. I’m writing for those wanting something greater and unclear if they are capable or if it’s possible. I’m no longer writing for just me and my needs.

For years it’s been about me and what I needed. Now it’s about you, even though we haven’t met. Now it’s about carrying a message of hope. Now it’s about showing what’s possible. Now it’s about proving that some applied faith and discipline really works, and works well. Now it’s about doing those things I thought and dreamt about, but was reluctant for one reason or another to finish. I write for those reasons today. I will never be as effective if I fall asleep on post. I will never be able to deliver this message if I don’t guard what’s sacred. That is unacceptable today. It may change at some point in the future, but today, I’m back on post, back on guard duty, and protecting what’s important. If I don’t, no one else will.

Today, Thursday, August 1, 2024, I am grateful that:

I’m rememberi

This is the first part of the entry.