Flames of Awakening

I must admit to you, family, that this has been one of the most mentally challenging times of my life. I am in a position where I must be exposed to details and events that cannot be entertained without long-term effects. It is very similar to walking into a rabbit hole: long after entering, and going far beyond the point of no return, your footing begins to slip and the path traveled begins to fade. The way is becoming more like a slide, and you didn’t enter intending to slide or prepared for what is happening. Nature does not care. A new course must be found or keep tumbling. You touch and feel the walls, and they aren’t very nice to touch and feel. But because you cannot turn back, and because you chose to enter the hole, the only option is to continue. That’s the way it is. Accept or be defeated. There is no other choice. It is again the situation life loves to hand to the adventurer… option one is bad, option two is bad, option three is bad. None are likable or typically acceptable. But like the starving man who must steal to feed his family or starve to death with them, a choice must be made. All options have more tunnels and more mire to tread. No passage looks helpful or hopeful. No way has light at the end of the tunnel, and all of them stink with the rank of turmoil. You did all you could to avoid this place. Yet, like a cancer diagnosis, here it is.

So, like many of you, I am staying in a space that is not so nice. It is the way it is, and it can’t be changed. I am learning acceptance, and looking at difficult things and attempting to make sense of them, know them, and see through them. None of it is easy, and it is aging me. I know many of you are in a similar position, and it seems the time is crucible-like, so in that sense it is good to stand with you in the space of discomfort, so that maybe together we can lift ourselves out.

The last few weeks ya’lls encouraging notes have been very helpful, and I thank each of you for your encouraging words and willingness to support and help carry the load. Thank you. It makes a difference. I ask each of you to send positive and encouraging energy to my son, Noah, whom this ordeal concerns. It is complicated and on the surface would seem more clear-cut than it is. There is a long, long history behind the events unfolding, so none of this was really a surprise; it’s been more of a requiem. That is partly why this makes the situation even more complicated than it already should be. At this point, all we can do is let the process unfold and see where it takes us. 

This is a big lesson to me of what I heard Dr. Campbell say many eons ago… “Life happens to people. It never stops. It never takes a break.” In many ways we think we are choosing our path when in reality, the biggest choices are made from situations that happened, and never intended. Often steps were taken to avoid the very situation that happens. Because, as Joe said, “Life happens to people.” These the doozies that re-course life, and spin destiny into the wormhole. Natures response: “Nature loves courage.”

Jeni and I will be okay. Noah will be okay, and this will go how it needs to go. I accept that. It’s all out of our hands for the time being, and until that changes we remain strong and courageously walking the nonplussed path. I love and care for each of you deeply.

Well, this week marks our beginning journey into the Great Awakening study. We will be discussing many considerations of the Great Awakening but from a practical and pragmatic approach that does not require initiations or rites to be taken on. We will walk the path of sobriety amongst the many discourses of this complicated subject that basically affects everything now and in the coming future. 

The next three weeks of intros will be intense and driving. I hope you are encouraged with their strong message as it all is part and parcel to the Great Awakening. 

 I am very grateful Nature Creature is here. The lessons are good for us both, and it helps both Jeni and myself to know there are people who genuinely care and want the best for everyone. 

I will see you in the coming days!

Chuck