I woke at 1:50am with this running through my mind "There is sunshine, precious sunshine, there is sunshine in my soul, where peaceful waters flow." I guess that exemplifies where I am at this point in my life. There are "peaceful waters" flowing despite the raging storm outside.

The sunshine is welcome as there isn't much in Binghamton. Case in point...we drove to Syracuse 70 miles north of here (notice I didn't use time to measure the distance?) and the sun shone all day. It was a crystal clear day until the drive home until about 6 miles (again no time measure...LOL!!) north of home. The clouds appeared and that precious sunlight went out (at least outside).

I had a really good therapy appointment last night. We are working on a lot of unresolved issues. One of the things I told her, and she told me too, was that I look outside myself to work on things. I use the strengths of others to lift myself up. Not become them but use what works for them on me, use their shining examples of goodness and kindness. I've always done that type of thing. It started with my mom when she subscribed to Readers Digest. Each month I'd wait anxiously for the magazine to come in the mail so I could read the Quotable Quotes section. I'd try to use the quotes in my life, thus drawing off the words and examples of others.

Another case in point..my dad. My father isn't a good example of what a dad should be or even how a man should act. I used his negative example to make myself the man I am today. Not the self-loathing, drunkenly angered, spiteful, hateful man my dad is. But a loving, kind and charitable man of God that I am.

I am not book smart. I still count on my fingers. I never took a college course. I barely graduated high school. I can't recite literature. But if life's experiences were a course (which it is) I'd get an A. Life has taught me more than my dad will ever know. My drive to learn still burns within me. I know useless things that I will never need or use. I also know a great deal about myself and the life I lead and the life I hope to lead.

I am in a good place right now. My throat is sore and I can barely talk, yet mentally I feel good.

I hope you all have the best day possible..I know I will.

David

The secret of many a man's success in the world resides in his insight into the moods of men and his tact in dealing with them.
J. G. Holland