Why God is Necessary?

I believe there is a God. I believe he worries about each and everyone of us. I believe that he sets each and everyone of us on a path toward greatness from the moment we take our first breath. I believe he has high expectations of us and are disappointed when we do not meet those expectations, as any good parent would be. But what if there wasn't a God? What if our being here was the result of chance and time passed. What if all that we have accomplished as the human race was not a plan of the Almighty, but succession alone?

Perhaps this explains some of the tragedy and turmoil that we are facing today. Because without a God, without a Supreme being for which you would expect to have to answer to, the choices that we make would culminate without repercussion. This is why God is necessary.

I have lost a portion of my faith in the last several years. Not faith in God almighty. My faith in him as the guiding light has become more strong in these recent times. I have lost some of my faith in the goodness of people. I have lost some of my faith that by treating people right and making decisions and choices which are absorbed in self, you are guaranteed reciprocation. More than ever before do I feel that the goodness and sensibility that we are provided with isn't enough for man to behave in a fashion respectful of other men. This is why God is necessary.

I am an opinionated person (hence the blog). However, I have never felt so strongly of any opinion that I felt it necessary to make my opinion, feelings, state of mind and perspective heard by taking the life of another. We read, watch and listen to news stories daily about the War of Religion being waged in the Middle East. Persons who, because of their passion for their beliefs, feel it necessary to take the lives of others. This is why God is necessary.

President Obama stated at the Fort Hood Memorial yesterday that, "No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor, And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice -- in this world and the next."

No matter where you stand on religion. No matter what belief you maintain or deity you kneel before, God is necessary so that we in the least have a feeling that someone is watching us and will take note of how we have lived. Day in and day out, we prove that we don't have the ability to govern ourselves. From the beginning of time, we have shown that free will is a gift that, for some, is too much to handle.

And on this Veteran's day, after reliving the most recent tragedy which has occured at Fort Hood, we are constantly reminded that God is necessary. If not for the sole reason that because of their belief in God's grace, we will continue to have brave men and women who enlist to protect us.

Thank God for making these golden men and women feel it necessary to put their lives on the line for our country in his name.

Things I Keep Forgetting to Remember: What you're saying is a fraction of what you're communicating.

Communication. This poorly used tool can perhaps be the most significant contributor to much of the issues we encounter on almost every level of our society. Our inability to execute effectively with respect to communication is a hidden hindrance regarding the progression of our individual, relationship and career development. Being inept at this so very important skill results in unnecessary stress and conflict and is essentially inefficient.

I've ran into very few people, unless of course they have been well educated and trained on the value of communicating effectively, who do it well. Myself included. Yet it is something that we are required to do almost every waking minute of our life. Practice makes perfect, right? So why is it that, despite all our practice, we seldom get it even close to perfect?

It's my opinion that there are a few practices which we have engaged in so long not knowing that we were in essence practicing in err.

1. Communication is less about what you are trying to transmit, and much more about how it will be received: Have you ever been told something by someone that was absolutely correct however, based on the delivery of the message alone, you couldn't accept it? I'm sure you have. We all have. We focus so much on what we are trying to transmit that we give little credence to the way that it is being received. No message is so correct that it can't be muddled by it's delivery. The content of our message becomes so prominent (to us) that we seldom take the time to make certain that what's in the package is not overshadowed by it's poor presentation. The disregard for delivery is in a sense selfish. Focus on the content is a "all about me approach". It puts heavy importance on what you have to say versus ensuring what you have to say will be heard. It's the "I/Me" approach to communication despite the fact that it takes "we" to have communication at all. Delivery sometimes is more poignant than what actually is being said.

2. Everything you think or feel or want to say doesn't have to be said (especially if you aren't able to communicate it effectively): Lately I've been trying to ask myself (before I speak) whether or not what I'm about to say is going to contribute in some sort of way. This is very, very hard to do. But it means so much when communicating. I'm full of answers. I feel like I have experienced a lot of life and as a result could provide a certain insight into most topics. However, as stated above, this is a very "I/Me" approach to communication. I've learned (recently . . . .very recently), that my input isn't always desired. What I may think, feel or want to say may not be necessarily warranted in every situation. I'm a self proclaimed poor listener. I think it's the man in me. I listen with the intent to solve. I'm about as close to being a better listener as we are to having flying cars like on the Jetson's. But I'm aware and more importantly, trying to be better. Not providing your input could be an effective and necessarily valuable form of communication.

3. Practicing good communication skills on the little things will better prepare you for when you have to communicate on the BIG things: The reality is . . . proper practice does make perfect. So if you're practicing how to do something/anything the right way, chances are you'll become better at it. Take shooting Free throws in basketball for example. Usually we practice shooting free throws while well rested with fresh legs and ample stamina. It permits us to perfect our form and reinforce good habits such as bending your knees and following through. However, good coaches not only instruct their players to practice while rested, but they require that you practice free throws after running really hard and tiring your self out. Why? Because that is more than likely going to be the "game time" situation. If we practice good communication skills on the little things in our relationships (taking the trash out, leaving the seat up, picking up your socks, helping with the dishes) we will be better prepared for "game time" (conversations about finances, hot-buttons, our futures, going out with the fellas, constructive criticisms, feelings, in-laws, sex, quality time, physical/emotional/spiritual needs, etc.)

4. There's so much you're saying without opening your mouth: Non-verbal communication screams. It yells. It shrieks. All without making a sound at all. That's about all that needs to be said.