- My full name is David Lee Moser
- I was born on July 6, 1959.
- I went to Kenworth Elementary School, which was built in 1913 and is still standing, being used as apartments.
- I graduated from Hickory High School in 1977.
- I graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College twice: My BA in 1981 and my MA in 1989.
- I have two adult children, Patrick and Heather.
- I have clubbed fingers and toes.
- Everything that we can see is made up of things we cannot see.
- I have been a career teacher and am entering my forty-third year in education, thirteen of which have been after “retirement.”
- I love to read and write.
Security or adventure?
Perhaps a bit of both. At sixty-four years of age, I value both. I’m not one of those who seeks long distance travel adventures, but instead things that are of interest closer to home, like business ventures, interim teaching positions, and the like. Security can be fleeting and I work each day to try to make myself secure from a financial standpoint, but also perhaps more importantly, from a mental standpoint. So there you go!
The Universe Responds…
Life has a way of sending difficulties our way and from time-to-time it appears it’s just one difficulty after another. But does the Universe have something else in mind as we weave our way through life’s ups and downs?
I recently listened to a podcast by Marianne Williamson in which she asserts that the Universe proceeds forward according to its Divine design. Just as one fertilized egg cell develops into a fetus, as a seed planted in the ground begins to grow, we as humans can realize a large portion of what happens in our lives is following its natural course.
I can think of two examples in my own life where the person/event that happened was certainly not by my efforts or design. The most recent was a business opportunity that I came upon quite by accident yesterday. I was going to an antique mall about an hour away and when I looked for the place in my OnStar system on my car (I had been there before), another antique mall pops up. So I figure it geographically would be feasible to go to both places.
I saw there were several vacant booths in the “unplanned stop” on my route and I inquired of the owner if they were available. I have a large inventory of signs that are basically just taking up space. She said the waiting list was quite long, but if I was interested, she had some wall space she was looking to fill and could work me in there. I left without giving her a definite yes or no, but in the time since then, have decided to give it a go.
Did I plan on visiting the other antique mall? – No. Did I plan on asking about available space? Also no. But the way it’s worked out, I’m on Thursday of this next week starting a small side business and who knows where that might lead. I did eventually go to the original place I had planned on going to and yes, I did buy some stuff there. But at least I now have an outlet for getting rid of the stuff I no longer want.
So just for today, I realize I have to go with the flow of life. There are certain things, like taking care of paying bills, eating and exercising, that I need to do. But once I put my intention out into the Universe, I usually can just wait for the Universe to respond. I no longer need to stress or strain over what I have to do with matters that there’s a Divine design behind.
David Lee
The Path Less-Chosen…
I recently went to a local park along the river that has plenty of walking trails. They are color-coded and not being sure which one would be best, I picked the “red” trail. Somewhere along the way, and no, I’m not color blind, I took a wrong turn and ended up on a totally different trail. I reasoned that life can sometimes be that way and decided to share my experience.
It was an eighty-degree day and the humidity was making it seem much warmer. I had decided on this Sunday afternoon to visit a nearby park to try one of its many walking trails. I took my camera along with me, hoping to get some good nature shots along the path. One of the trails paralleled the river and along that path, I got to see a bald eagle for the first time.
Along this chosen trail, I literally came to a fork in the road. I even took a picture of it to share with a friend. I took the left-hand side and thought it was going to keep me on my chosen path. But such was not the case. The red markers became blue and yellow and I didn’t feel it wise to backtrack to correct my navigational error. So on the trail not chosen, I continued.
I used an app on my phone to keep close watch on the continued progress, but it seemed I was getting farther and farther away from where the trail would eventually end. There were signs with a phone number on them you could call, I’m assuming for situations just like this. But my ego was not going to allow me to admit I had no clue where I was headed. I just kept the faith that I would eventually end up where I had parked my car. Two hours, and 3.9 miles later, I made it back to my starting point. My shirt was sopping wet and I realized that I needed to be more mindful next time there were forks in the road to be taken.
Life can be this way as well. We can have a path that we’ve chosen to be on. We can set out with the best of intentions to chart our courses through life. But sometimes we make choices that send us along another path, one we didn’t intend to take.
I look at the life choices I’ve made over the past couple of years and have to know that at those points in time, I did what I thought was best. But in the process of living life on life’s terms, things ended up in a much different place than I thought they would. And I was left to be aware of what had transpired and decided what to do next. Sometimes the changes in the course were due to my own actions, and sometimes the behaviors and actions of others. But change they did and change they will continue to do. It’s up to me to take a step back and consider the next best course of action.
On yesterday’s hike, I continued to move forward, knowing full-well the path would lead me back to where I started. I couldn’t dictate the course, I just knew I needed to say on it. My life with its many twists and turns, will send me on “alternate journeys” that I did not intend to take. But I must stay the course and finish the race. And above all else, not give up hope.
“Keep the faith and trust the journey.”
David Lee
Walk, Walk, Walk
When school was officially out for summer and I faced a time when I didn’t have to work, I figured I needed to once again start walking. Although it was difficult to get back in the swing at first, as time progressed it got much easier. I then got to the point where I very much desired getting out and walking at least once each day, sometimes twice.
It took two short walking sessions to make me realize I needed to get a new pair of walking shoes. The ones I had been using were pretty worn down and so getting a replacement was no longer an option. I didn’t go all out as far as a high-dollar shoe, instead settling for a pair from Wal-Mart. And they seem to be working just fine. I also found out that wearing socks is a necessity. One recent walk without those convinced me they are a necessity.
Since I’m a numbers guy, I’ve kept track of my mileage each week and here are those stats:
- Week One – 18.94 miles
- Week Two – 24.76 miles
- Week Three – 27.1 miles
- Week Four – 25.02 miles
- Week Five – 36.49 miles
Grand Total Thus Far – 132.31 miles
I don’t have an particular mileage goals in mind. I know the walks will get tougher as the summer temperatures begin their steady climb. I was blessed the first several weeks with mild temperatures, but as the song says “The Heat is On!” and that’s of course to be expected.
While I walk, I’ll listen to music, podcasts, and audio books. This is to help clear my mind of negative thinking. There have been several times my ear buds have lost charge and I’ll just walk to the sounds of nature. Speaking of nature, I see quite a few squirrels on my daily walks,,,several rabbits,,,birds flying and flitting around,,,,and today, for the first time, a chipmunk.
I wish I could say I’ve lost a lot of weight over these past five weeks, but such has not been the case. I know muscle weighs more than fat, so I’m looking at it from that perspective. I did note on a recent doctor’s appointment, my blood pressure was at a normal level for the first time in a long while and I think that’s a direct result of walking.
Walk, walk walk,,,,It’s a good thing!
David Lee
Change a thought, move a muscle…
I’ve been given some time to do quite a bit of thinking. I’ve started walking again and that’s helped with my train of thought. I’ve also been reading a lot and listening to audiobooks of what I’ve been reading. And while I can’t readily recall all the wisdom I’ve covered, I can’t but think it’s doing me some good.
Once I got through the last days of this past school year, a lot of thoughts came rushing into my mind. Without the daily planning and grading that school required, I found myself swimming in negative thinking about all that had recently transpired in my life. The word recently included most all of what had happened in the past year.
I found myself waking up first thing in the morning with a stampede of negative thoughts, mostly centered around all the “what-ifs” in life. That hamster wheel spun round and round and didn’t seem to know any end. I knew that my journal writing would certainly help and also started reading some of the books I’ve collected. I also started walking again in order to try to clear out all the negative thoughts my mind seemed to want to focus on in its waking hours.
I have four or five books I’m reading at any one time. This is due in large part to the fact my ADD brain finds it hard to focus on any one thing for very long. I’ll underline a lot in the books I’m reading. I’ll transfer some of the big take-aways onto the pages in my journal. I’ve also got an app on my phone that allows me to listen to some of the books while I’m walking. This has probably been the biggest help.
If I was to sit down and try to tell you what I’ve learned, I’m not so sure there would be a lot of cohesive thoughts I’d be able to relate. I’ve considered starting a daily blog here on WordPress to share some of the bigger concepts with hopes of cementing them in my brain and, of course, to share them with others.
I feel that our subconscious mind keeps track of a lot more than we give it credit for. I think that it one of the sources of the dreams that we have. But I also think that we as people can benefit from what we’ve been exposed to, even if we can’t readily remember it. That old hard-wiring in our brains doesn’t give up easily and it perhaps is only through rote repetition of key concepts that I’m ever going to make any headway into changing my way of thinking.
Patient progress, not perfection as I like to say.
David Lee
Moving Forward….
Life is meant to be lived…or so I’m told. When there are those unexpected occurences in life, when things go awry,,,,it’s not always easy to know what to do. What you thought about life and the people in it can change with little or no notice. It’s what you do after those unexpected changes that will chart the course for the rest of your days.
When I was younger I figured that by this time in my life, nearly sixty-four years old, I would have settled in and figured out a definite course for my remaining days. I figured there would be stability and smooth sailing, with few or no worries on my plate. But such has not been the case. If anything, I’m at a less-stable point than I’ve been in a good many years. But I did my level best to stay the course and although I don’t fully understand what’s transpired, I’m trudging forward with faith that I’ll be able to handle whatever lies ahead.
I have done a lot of reading and a ton of writing over these past several months. Those help me to process life’s events. It helps to review what I’ve learned and to see the advancement I’ve been able to make. I’ve started walking and during those walks have listened to some insightful podcasts that share other’s views on this life that we live. I’ve been able to put down cigarettes as a coping mechanism and that in and of itself is a miracle to behold.
Moving forward, I know there’s a lot of work still to be done. I need to work on myself and continue to learn the lessons I’ve been assigned to learn through my experiences. It’s definitely hard work, but I’m confident that I will be able to stay the course and finish the race ahead of me.
More to come in sharing this journey, but that’s it for now.
David Lee
On a More Positive Note…
I spent some time reflecting yesterday on how my faith life has been lacking a bit here of late. But I am also reminded that I have a lot to be thankful for in this life. An attitude of gratitude goes a long way in helping combat any feeling of lack I might be having in life.
One of the things I’ve grown to be grateful for is relatively good health. I’ve started walking again and logged over sixty miles in the two and a half weeks I’ve been walking. I’ve found that exercise can be pretty addictive and while I’m not up to the niles I’d like to be walking, I think I’m making good progress while I’m walking I either listen to music or podcasts that offer hope and inspiration, so that’s a positive result as well. I go next week to have bloodwork done at the doctor’s office and I can’t help but think my new exercise regimen will help in that regard as well.
In the area of gratitude in physical health, I’ve been able to continue my cessation of smoking cigarettes. I had a good streak running back in December with nearly 150 days away from smoking when an emotionally-charged situation sent me back out. On February 25th of this year, I once again stopped smoking and have 111 of being cigarette-free. I’m still using nicotine lozenges and know I need to try to wean my way off those, but one step at a time.
Speaking of staying away from unhealthy habits, I’m coming up on twenty-one years of sobriety from alcohol. I’ve been able to go to more recovery meetings and talk with some good and trusted friends. I’ll admit that these past months have been a true test of my ability to work the twelve steps and I’m grateful for the guidance and wisdom recovery has offered me.
Just before the school year ended, I was able to get my teaching certificate renewed for another five years. This will enable me to continue to do interim teaching positions. I already have one lined up to start the new school year in August and I am very grateful for that. These interim positions help keep me focused and directed in life and I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given in that area.
I also am grateful for a roof over my head, reliable transportation, food to eat, and so much more. So in the midst of questioning my faith life, I do realize that I have so much to be grateful for. In the midst of difficult times, I think that’s something we always need to keep in mind.
David Lee
Faith Life Taking a Hit Here of Late
I’ve always considered myself to be a person of great faith. Faith in the God of my understanding has never until recently been an issue. But events of the past eighteen months have really been a huge test of faith. So here I am, not knowing where it will lead. I’m also reminded to lean beyond my human scope of understanding and trust the journey.
The events in my in my life nearly twenty-one years ago were a true test of my faith in God. I found myself in a desperate situation in life and didn’t know where to turn. Luckily, there were resources put in front of me that I was willing to take advantage of and I weathered the storm with the aid of my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God.
Life proceeded along and although I didn’t always understand what transpired, my faith stayed strong and I had no doubt that things would work out for the best. I attended church and recovery meetings that helped me stay the course and although life was far from perfect, I seemed to be doing okay.
Things that have occurred over the past year and a half or so have caused me to put my faith to the challenge. If it was just one thing that happened, I would likely not have had the faith issues that I have had. But it was one thing, after another, then yet another that have pushed me to the limits. So on this day, I find myself questioning my beliefs about God and what part He plays in my daily life today.
I still believe there is a God. I haven’t gone so far as to say I’m an atheist. But I also see a God who may or may not have direct involvement in my everyday life. When you have a lot of negative things occur in your life, you tend to let your mind wander and your version of any sort of Higher Power can definitely change.
I know there is a God who has seen me through the difficult times in my life. I don’t think there’s any way I could have done it on my own. I am also blessed with a loving family and a recovery community that have walked beside me each step of the way. So as my faith in God has been stretched to the limits, I will definitely keep this in mind.
I don’t understand why people do the things they do. Of course, it can be said I don’t always understand why I do the things I do. I have had quite a few errors in judgement that I call into question. Looking back on it, I like to think I did the best I could and what I thought was right at the time.
On this day, I will pray to the God of my understanding for His guidance, wisdom, and strength. And although I don’t have a clear picture of what the God of my understanding is going to do in response, I will faithfully believe that He listens to my voice in the wilderness and in some manner, shape, or form will hear my prayers.
David Lee
David Lee 