What do I see, I see?

There were times in my life that what I saw created judgments but now it’s not the seen but it’s the unseen. How does one define judging? One of Webster’s definitions is to hold as an opinion. To be honest, I once held lots of opinion about many things but through the years, those opinions became less important.

Three years ago, I heard someone say that when one judges he or she then chooses to be god-like. I was like there is no way on this earth that I want to be such a person. Then I started looking deep within me and said what judgments have I made. I was stunned by what I saw. If appalled is the appropriate word, then let it be so.

This thought ran through my thoughts for months. What was I thinking? What have I become? The more I looked; I started to be disgusted with myself. Then epiphany occurred when I noticed that when I started to judge or making an opinion, I stopped. I would erect my posture and say what am I doing? Is it because I don’t understand? I was surprised how frequently that I was making opinions. It kind of got annoying after awhile when I noticed what I was secretly doing.

I was reading a book called, “The Shack.” It brought this idea back to my forethought about judging. It reminded me of the days when I did. I was disturbed when I realized that a lot of friendships were lost because I judged. I trust those friends will be forgiven. Although family relationships have to understand that members of the family either grow and grow or stay stagnate and therefore cannot hold opinions so tightly. I will save that thought for another time about family.

The lesson to be learned is that judging brings brokenness to a relationship. What I noticed it’s the unseen that captures the heart. Too much emphasize is put on the senses when it’s the unseen that brings energy to our relationships. I could be listening to someone but deep down I could be making judgments of him/her. Personally, I would feel violated if I were ever given the opportunity to know what the other person was thinking while I was speaking. But how often was I doing this in years past?

It is never to late to stop and understand the other person. Now I listen and make an every effort to comprehend what the other person is saying to me. I can look and listen but I now say inside, there must be a reason behind what I just saw or heard. Because I don’t want to be judged in the same degree either, I want equal representation.

This song is dedicated to those friends/family that I prematurely judged or made an opinion.

“Packing up the dreams God planted

In the fertile soil of you

Can't believe the hopes he's granted

Means a chapter in your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always

It won't even seem you've gone

'Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong”

By M.W. Smith “Friends”

SR Skatepark

Its been four years that I have been working with the Shiprock Skatepark project. There have been transitional stages to the project. I have seen two presidents and two secretaries. I have even learned how to work with people and be forgiving. There is absolutely nothing that I would do to exchange for these experiences.

I can recall when filling up gas at the Shell gas station next to City Market after coming back from Red Valley. As I was pumping gas, I would see several youth doing tricks with their BMX or skateboard near the gas storage area. Time after time, I would see this and finally I said I must do something about this.

Seems I have been equipped to do this project because I refuse to give up. I have youngsters who have expressed through written documents that they want to see it completed. Every waking moment, I am consistently thinking about how can I get this project moving forward or who can I recruit to come alongside and help the team.

Now, on the fourth year, I truly believe we are about to begin construction. All the right people have came and went when they did. How far we come! What is awesome! We now have a promo video that we collaborated with skaters and can share the vision with others.

This is an ending of several chapters in my adventures with the skatepark. I am now preparing my actions and words for the remaining chapters. Come join me in these adventures, it will really rock your world!

Peace to you,

T