May I Pray for You? Honesty, Truth, and Compassion a Path to Reconciliation

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.”
— William Faulkner

If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it.  Something like that, hello, how are you? Thank you for stopping by my FREE Internet Soup Kitchen, where I choose to dump some thoughts and ideas and try to make the world a better place.  It’s 5:09 a.m., I’m awake but still a little sleepy, my coffee will help me wake up, and I’ll start dumping my ideas, thoughts, and maybe dreams on this little tiny screen.

I had a beautiful thing happen yesterday; we worked on a solution for a new friend in Indy; he was buying a business and needed our services. So our team went to work, and after scouring 30 plus markets, we had a solution, but I shared a strategy to improve his position.  I loved this guy, but we were unable to provide a worthwhile product.  At the end of the meeting, he asked, “may I pray for your company?”

I had just delivered some bad news to a man; I asked that his prayers be directed to this man.  I’m fine, prayers are always welcome, but when you know someone is hurting, I think it fair to refer prayers to others.   A little tip and trick for you youngsters out there, if you make a mistake, own it, share it, be upfront, and grace will be given. If you hide your past, it will eventually catch up with you.

A great day, we worked around the house until about 3:00, took our pup for a walk, and returned to get ready to dine with some friends.  Chris and Susan are beautiful humans; he occasionally reads my stuff, he’s handsome, she’s gorgeous, and we are aligned on many values and principles.  I find complimenting my readers gets them to smile; I love you, buddy.  But I digress; we met at the infamous Simms Steakhouse.  I ordered a Lindsey Lohan Martini; when the waiter wonders what I mean, I say “filthy.”

The filet was cooked to perfection, the shrooms may or may not have been tinged with some magic sauce, we sat for 3 hours and caught up after not seeing each other for over two years.  We have many blessings in our life; it is not lost that friends are our greatest gift.  We left there and arrived home to find Bay; she came over to hang out, she’s a weekly guest, and between you and me, we love this kid. We caught up on her dating life; she’s getting a lot of activity since COVID is over; it’s fun watching her excitement and joy living her best life.

My son called yesterday as we were pulling into the restaurant.  He always uses facetime, and the camera is always on Maylynn Marie, our granddaughter; her face when she sees me is worth a thousand dollars. So I always say, “Maylynn, I’m Grandson, I’m your dad’s dad!” She’s still unsure, but I think in time, we will be buddies.  She’s a bundle of magic and joy; I love my role as a grandparent.

As we were finishing up dinner, my sister “facetimed” me.  My parents had arrived at their home; they wanted to chat.  We were finishing dinner with our friends; I sent a note, I’ll call you later, and when we hit the road, we returned the call.  My father has picked back up his pipe after 30 or so years.  He put it down upon requests from his grandkids, but at 82, he’s decided to pick it back up.  I don’t blame him; I think at 82, I might start smoking Marlboro Reds again. Side note, I did buy a pipe like his in his honor and had it at our CO home; the tobacco I use is different from my father’s.

I’ve got my monthly board meeting today. After that, I’m driving to Golden to see my friends, share our updates, work on some issues in our company, and learn from others.  I’m a student of life, every day is a classroom full of lessons, and I don’t take my work lightly.  I’m going for the A in everything I do.  Sometimes I get a B, a C, or even a D, or F, but I don’t look at that as a failure; I look at that as learning a lesson.  Life is full of gifts and opportunities; you have to have the right mind to see the possibilities.

My wife is sleeping; I love her, have I told you that?  She’s my rock, my world, my guide to take me to whatever is next.  We joke each other can’t leave until we are both done, we plan on note booking our existence; some of you will get that, others will be puzzled.  If you are stumped, think Rockford Files.

Well, Ol Anson Ross needs to head outside and do some meditation; my mind is a circus, and dumping my thoughts here and then quieting my mind seems to be a recipe for delight.  I’m in a perfect place; I hope you are as well.  Be honest, tell the truth, and grace will find you.   If you are dishonest, if you lie, grace is gone.  I can’t help everyone, but I can help some; I’m here, I’m a beacon, I’m an example of what getting up at 5:00 a.m. for 30 years can produce. 

Let’s end with some personal responsibility.  You must own your shit; when you make a mistake, do not blame others, accept your error and move on.  Life is not perfect; it’s a series of blunders that craft and creates your story. So share your story, own your past, and the future will be brighter than you can imagine.  

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth.”
— William Faulkner