Waiting On The Storm

Out in the middle of the Gulf Of Mexico lies a storm racing towards our home. They seem to be lining up in the Atlantic Basin, as a seemingly calculated attack on the shores of our cities. In ancient times people would surely believe " the Gods must be angry ".
As we watched for days the devastating impact this latest hurricane, Wima, has battered the Yucatan peninsula, we are now ourselves at the mercy of this oncoming storm. We are only a few hours away from the Hurricane making land fall and shortly be here at our door steps. It's a catch 22, you wish for the Hurricane to change directions and head for somewhere else, but how can we wish this storm upon our neighbors, or any one else for that matter? We're forced to accept that it's coming here to us, and can only pray that we will all survive and that the storm will detensify and spare us from too much damage, and more importantly, human lives.
In the mean time we sit here watching The Weather Channel as we watch, no change in the projected path and soon to feel the outer bands of the storm. This gives the phrase " sitting ducks " a whole new meaning. Helpless, yet not hopeless, we've been through this many times and we pretty much know what to expect, and it's not pretty. There are tornado warnings across our area and that is as big if not bigger a threat than the Hurricane, only the tornados impact is on a small area where they come and go in a matter of minutes, but the devastation is incredible.
It's amazing how people are so loving and caring to each other during a disaster or afterwards during the relief efforts. It seems like it takes a tragedy to bring out the good qualities in people. We forget our differences and our disputes, and come together as one, which I believe was the way we were intended to live among each other. It's times like these that make us realize how fragile our lives are, and puts us in our place as guests, and only guests on this planet. Maybe this is someone's way of reminding us that no matter how strong our will, we are not the ones calling the shots here. May we all find a way to come together without a need for a traumatic event, but that doesn't seem very likely. It's ashame, because it's a beautiful thing when we are able to see the goodness inside of us all, and we lead with our hearts and compassion.

Written by Jay Bartels Please visit Jay at http://www.jaysplan.com

This Is A Test...It Is Only A Test !

This is a test, it is only a test. For the next 10 minutes I will try to hold your attention long enough for you to realize; "Jay's got a good point," or for some of you, you might be thinking, " What the heck did he just say?" Either way let's get started and see if we can stir things up a little. Let me tell you a little bit about myself that will quallify me as a respected writer, and a thinker who is way ahead of his time, and well behind on his rent. Now it's come to my attention that for some of you, as soon as you get caught up on your bills , the next ones are due already. For most of you I realize how frustrating that can be, and although I've been in your shoes, it appears that you've got it figured out better than I do, because I haven't quite got down the part about "being caught up on your bills", however, and I hate to boast, I can honestly say that last week I didn't see a single bill, but the mailman told me I need to empty my mailbox, so that stretch of good luck came to an abrupt halt. So now what? I begin the sorting process, dividing my bills up into three different groups. "This is how we do it", and this my friend is why I may be broke, yet I'm the mastermind behind this time tested sorting system. The man with the plan, the king of the hill, the master of the three-day-notice to evict. Been there, done that, but that was before my system was totally fool proof, and this fool will prove it. So I sort my bills into three seperate groups; the bills I must pay, followed by the bills I must pay now, and I take those 2 piles and gently place them into a third pile, which is the most important part of the entire sorting system. I like to call this very organized group," The bills I can't pay pile", which now systematically, and I must say from years and years of testing, now only leaves me with only one pile, where there once was three. Brilliant! Stick with me and I'll take you places you've never dreamed of. This has been a test..It is only a test! Had this been a real emergency, we would have all been in a lot of trouble. Stay tuned, I have plenty more tests to reveal to you, to make your life just that much easier. Ciao