Update

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 Once upon a time , someone asked me if I would be happy working a job that was not at the university. Since my position at the university closed in 2020, I found myself doing exactly that— working in jobs not at the university. It has been a very difficult transition.  Recently, things shifted quickly and in unexpected ways. The short version is that I am leaving the hotel which I am currently working, having taken a position at another.  The longer version of the story is that I stopped by to see my good friend and former GM at his new hotel. While I was visiting with him, one of the owners came out and introduced himself and we got to talking. After a few minutes, he said he wanted me to meet his brother. Our conversation turned into a job interview and 48 hours later I accepted a new position as front desk, manager and assistant operations manager. After some negotiating, we reached an agreement and I start my new position on April 9. It’s a much nicer hotel and these...

State of Mind

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There's the difficult way and there's the really difficult way. The Black Crest Trail is the latter--but it's the most rewarding. Culminating on the highest peak on the Eastern Sea Board, the Black Crest Trail (aka, "Death March") clambers over five peaks. That is, if one approaches from the North. We passed many hikers going the opposite direction--downhill. But for every "down" there's an "up." Scaling the first 3000 feet in the first three miles, we passed this unforgettable tree.


















I was caused to remember this tree when reading my dailies: "Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently holds in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions." (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.16)

On the trail I could not pass this tree as quickly and easily as the previous million. What forces shaped this tree? How long has it endured? One can only imagine. The truth is that the tree remains shaped, forked, bent. It will never be the same as when it first began to grow.

What do you hold in your mind? Anger? Hatred? Fear? Immorality? Impure thoughts? Evil desires?
And how is you spirit colored by these impressions? How far have you comes since you began?
How are you shaping up?

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2)

" . . . be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God . . ." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

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