Yes, I believe everything happens for a reason. Scripture reminds us that it does. Even If you do not believe in a higher being, history shows that it does. It does not happen in a vacuum. Cause and effect drives it. Study the Roman Empire. Has anything been learned? Look at the twenties when a few families were driving the world. Laws were passed to restrain their power. Later, power was regained and placed in a branch of government that guaranteed it would be sealed for generations to come. Reasons?

This is not an easy question to answer as written. We, I believe are who we are because of our experiences.

For instance, one who is privileged is shaped by certain experiences that were available to them without any effort. All needs and many desires met. Therefore they can take chances good or bad to become someone else.

On the other hand, one who is not born into privilege has to see or be made aware of differences and seek to acquire them. Many times their needs are not met and their desires are a mere dream. They take full responsibility for their outcome without a blessing.

Just as Sociologists and Psychologists have studied over the years whether environmental influences or heredity being the greatest influence, the jury is still out.

A sixth grade student with a learning disability convinced me that you cannot definitely separate them, only God can do that. He said it was a moot point. Go figure.

When I was a child, with limited access to sports minded young people, swimming was touted as one of the most dangerous things that one could do.

You were always told, “Don’t get into that water until you learn how to swim.” Listening to that on its own merit, does not make sense.

What they were really saying was that you needed to be taught how to swim before you got into the water.

Living in the South with elderly parents, who could not swim, and no access to recreational facilities prevented that from happening.

It is very difficult to learn any skill that you have been constantly taught to fear, and have seen evidence that water can kill you.

My brother was an excellent swimmer who dove off a “dragline” into a canal and broke his neck because it was too shallow.

Being an excellent swimmer, and not making safe decisions can still kill. However, very seldom is the latter mentioned.

The Holy Bible. Specifically, the New Testament. I can’t say that I had some special relationship with my Creator. It was the only book I had access to.

My parents were up in age when I was adopted, and were illiterate. It was traditional to have a Holy Bible in the house whether you could read or not.

The Apostle Paul was my favorite character. I remember reading the whole book several times. However, I avoided reading Revelations. It was scary to me.

Jeremiah was the biblical prophet called by God as a youth. This calling set him apart from his peers, as he was trained in a priestly family but became a prophet instead.

Although he was likely around 20 years old at the time, he expressed feelings of inadequacy. In today’s standards he would be considered an adult.

Although I read the Bible and loved it I did not understand that reading as a piece of literature is not the same as the time I spent in seminary.

There I picked up on its true meaning and how it affects our life and the relationship one receives from God.

I grew up believing that if you got a good education, followed established rules, fulfilled them, you would be successful. You might not be rewarded with anything extra, but you would not lose.

Later I found out that you could exceed these standards and still lose. I found out that loyalty did not mean a thing to some people.

Quite often it was, “If you take care of this operation I will make sure the next available opening will be yours.” At the end there was always a seemingly good excuse for it not happening.

I watched and trained carefree people whom I often trained, got the biggest reward. Until someone asked me one day how I could be so happy, while losing, did I wake up.

I had to come to the conclusion that I was afraid. One day my wife got real ill and I needed to take her to the hospital. I was told that I need to get someone else take her.

I walked away and thought about. I returned and told him that she was my responsibility. I could get another job more easily. I was no longer afraid. I got out of my comfort zone.

Daily writing prompt

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

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This 2010 Supreme Court decision is the landmark ruling that significantly increased corporate money in U.S. politics. It reversed century-old restrictions by allowing corporations and unions to use treasury funds for unlimited independent expenditures, directly leading to the rise of Super PACS.

It tilted political influence toward wealthy donors and corporations. Before this, the 1907 Tillman Act had banned direct corporate contributions, restriction that remained largely in place until the 2010 ruling.

Now it is almost impossible to tell where the money is coming from. It could be coming from outside of the country.

How some humans can be so incredibly cruel, selfish, and insensitive toward the least, the last, and the lost, and profess a positive relationship with their Creator.

We are reminded in scripture that it is impossible to say that we love Him, whom we have never seen, and display such with His creations.

How we can submit to pain and suffering because we believe it will hurt others the more, and be okay with that.

I drove from Auburn, AL to El Paso, TX with my grand son to his new Army assignment. It was memorable. We had not spent any time together since he became an adult.

We drove during the day and got a hotel at night. It was interesting how he had mapped out everything. He chose small business establishments instead of the large corporate ones.

When we arrived we spent two days looking for apartments and checking out sights. I also got the opportunity to visit the base. There was never a dull moment.

He booked me a flight back to Atlanta at the end of the week. It was rather eventful. It took me 24 hours to get home.

I sat in the airport for hours. Departure times kept changing.

Finally I flew from El Paso to Dallas, spent four hours in a hotel. We flew to D.C., and spent hours, then to Atlanta.

It was all worth it.

Albany State University

Florida A&M University

Florida State University

University of West Georgia

Beula Heights University

The relationships I have had with females. I do not mean seeking a partner. Since high school I have had few relationships and no lasting relationships with males socially.

I know we put a lot of emphasis on having both men and women in the lives of children as they grow up and mature into whatever they become as adults. I do not disagree.

It goes back to the age old question which has the most influence, both parents or single parents whether it is mother or father, or surrogates.

I grew up as an only child with little contact with my four brothers, my biological mother and none with my father. No contact with either of their siblings.

I always wanted a sister. I have some wonderful play sisters. In June of this year I found out who was my father. I am the oldest of his children, and I have a sister and a brother. We have a lot in common.

My sister and I communicate almost every day in one form or the other. In many ways she has added joy to my life.

My only regret is that we did not meet each other earlier. Thank God for giving scientists and doctors the knowledge to discover and read DNA.

There are a lot of secrets out there that need to be revealed. Our ancestors kept a lot of secrets for whatever reason. I know some are afraid to know the truth. You might become as happy as I am for trying Ancestry.