Plans Change, what now?

It's snowing today. Exciting and dangerous too for me since I love living in the south! Did you know that for very many soldiers in today's Army if they had a date they were authorized to leave the Army, that they could be retained for whatever time the Department of Defense required? Then add to that the reason for the mandatory extension was to go into combat. You had plans, going to college, getting married, moving? What we do when plans are forced to change is a measure of our character. George Bernard Shaw said "there are two great disappointments in life. One is to not get what you want and the other is to get what you want." Life altering changes have impact on our lives; move us in another direction; but it does not mean that our goals have to change. Plans change, we don't have to. What we do when new directions are upon us will alter those directions even more. Be full of grace and committment and flexiblity. They will pay dividens to our lives in the days, months, and years ahead. Dr. D.

The Past is Now

Time is a funny thing, we only have today and this moment today. Yet all the yesterdays still are alive and well. Most of us understand that who we are today was molded in our younger years. Sometimes there is a traumatic event that changed the course of our lives. Sometimes it is a job offer or a graduation, a marriage, or a tragedy. Today I met two people from my past, at least 12 years ago. I'm always cautious when people walk up to me and say "I know you." But this time, each of them thanked me for my participation in their lives. One because I wrote a reference for him. The other even said that he still hears my name mentioned as "the guru" of marriage and family chaplains." Whew. That's the kind of "past catching up to you" that is just fine with me. Agree? Dr. D.

Marriage Enrichment

There is a lot of pressure for marriage to be the key to happiness. Actually, happy people make happy marriages. Depressed, sad, lonely, angry people may expect their marriages to make them happy. It doesn't seem to work that way because having a happy and satisfying marriage often takes some doing. Being at peace with one's self is a good beginning. Not at peace? It may be a good place to start having a happy marriage. Dr. D.

Today I was involved in a training session with these fine soldiers. A priviledge of mine and enriching to me personally. It again reminded me how important relationships are. Here is a simple key to remember when you find yourself in a conflict: Time heals all wounds. That means that next week, month, year, today's conflict will be forgotten by a foregiving person. Let that forgiving person be you and me. Dr. D.

Touching Lives

Today was a day that represents what I've come here to do. Talked with a returning soldier who was a single parent of a 3 yr old. /they we doing their best to get re-aquainted. Reminded me how fast time moves. Hearing of this crisis of life reminded me that we must think of every day as precious. It is the only today we have with the ones we love. A word to the wise is sufficient. Dr. D

Staying in Touch

Living these days pretty far from home, I am reminded that there are routines in our every day lives that seem like keeping in touch but actually may fall short. "what's for dinner?" and "where are the kids" are not really keeping in touch. Some folks talk about having "deep" conversations, but those come as needed or requested. But "How are ya?" and "What's been going on in your life?" are better ways of "staying in touch." Many of the military families here at Ft Campbell, KY, have to rely on email and infrequent phone calls to "keep in touch." It both saddens me and reminds me to "keep in touch." You do the same with someone you live. Dr. D.