The other night I told my wife that I think I'll try to be a little more transparent in the new year. The look of pure horror on her face would have been enough to scare the monster out of Boris Karloff. What I meant was that I want to try and live more in the moment. When I'm happy, it's going to show. When I'm upset, I'm not going to hold it in. I am going to be more honest about everything. And maybe, just maybe, Donna will no longer ask the dreaded question that every man hates to hear from his wife, "What are you thinking about?" That's right, in 2014, there will be no guessing as to what I'm thinking.
But wait, there's more! I think that real living is more than just being transparent. It's about enjoying life. Actually, it's more about the moments that make up life. I want to return to a child-like approach to my life. I want to appreciate things more and worry less. I'm not going to stress about things that don't matter.
I want to connect with the "peace" that Jesus said He was leaving with me. I want to "walk in love" like the Apostle Paul admonished us to walk. I want to laugh every single day. And I want others to laugh with me.
The other week my granddaughter took me by the hand and said, "Come on, Pappy" and she led me into the kitchen where we marched, like tin soldiers, in circles around the kitchen table until I got so dizzy that I almost passed out. The truth is that I don't remember a time recently that I had been more happy. There was no agenda. There were no ulterior motives. It was just Kaelyn helping me to return to my inner child. Mission accomplished.
Be well.
Bill
