Some people believe in nothing and some many things while others only believe in a single thing. For some science is the hope for the future, for others it is heredity. Their children are the promise of remembrance and this how their posterity will continue. Still others hold on to faith in a divine hand guiding their lives. No matter you believe, perhaps it is time to reexamine everything? If you hold that science is the key then come to the table and present your case. If you have faith in the divine, then let the higher speak for itself. If you believe in nothing but the hear and now then tell us why this is all there is. What ever you believe, let us reason it out and end violence and destruction. Let each person make their case and let us see what answer is right.

The sun rises and sets as it moves from hemisphere to hemisphere. East to west the yellow ball goes. People live their lives and like bits of dust we are blown away. The planet doesn't not judge us, it simply endures our presence and bides it's time. What ever you may believe, in truth we are of little importance. Whether by divine creation or natural selection the world is ever changing. Plants die and new species are born, the climate changes and mountains become valleys. Continents rise and sink leaving only a remnant to be an Island. So as we try to leave our mark on the earth, remember it was here long before we thought we were of consequence and the world will be here ever changing long after we have gone away.

I have so much trapped inside of me. I am so angry with what I did to myself. I never thought of the consequences of playing the game, I only sought the prize that was just out of reach. Now I must face the truth of life in a cage. I am living in an 8 by 11 foot room. I wonder if anyone will be coming to see me soon. I want to do better but I have lost all hope. I am not sure how much longer I can cope with the problems that are all around me. I am still surrounded by hustlers you see. There are just a little closer to me than when I was in the street. I now have nowhere to run but inside of myself. Oh lord will someone please give me some help? The true cost of my situation is finally kicking in, I am not the only doing time, it is also my family and friends. Those who thought they could depend on me, now they have to bear the burden of my misery. This torment is about to drive me insane. Will someone please tell me that they can fill my pain?

I look at the shore line as the sun comes up. I see the vibrant colors of first light. I hear the roar of the ocean as it hits the sand. I hold my board tight as I launch into the waves. The first splash of white foam washes over me, the cold of the early morning makes me feel as if I have been reborn. With each wave I pass, the land gets farther away from me. Into the deep water I go. Out into the rising sun, on the horizon I see the light getting brighter. Then when I can look back and see the land as a mere speck, I turn about and let the sea carry me. My troubles melt away into the salt brine as I hear only the wind and waves around me. As a mother who cradles her child in her arms, the sea holds me fast. As I draw closer to the land the waves rise up to meet me. I feel the rush of life in each one. Then as I rise to the crest and hang 10 for a moment I feel that I can fly. In an instant the feeling has passed and I must turn back and paddle out again. On my journey I go, each time looking to get lost in the rhythm of the waves. Hoping that one day I will simply fade into the foam and become one with the ocean I so dearly love.

The ground leading from the hill was rocky. The earth was hostile to life. When a precious soul died on the cross, precious blood was spilled. As his body was taken down and carried to the tomb, drops of his sacred blood stained the ground. Quietly he lay for 3 days then he rose up and was gone. What happened next was miraculous, and many could not believe, but then they considered who had died and rose again so it was no wonder what they saw. On the path from the hill to the tomb where each drop of blood had stained the earth, a Rose came forth and bloomed in the brightest Red hue that had ever been seen. The flowers were mesmerizing and had an aroma that could not be explained. The smell filled the air like sweet morning due, then after a few days the flowers were gone. From then on at an appointed time, along a rough stony path leading from a rocky hill, Roses would regrow each year as though they knew something we did not. Perhaps the fact that they are there is enough, a testimony that he is alive still.

I ate an Apple one day and was going to throw the core away. Then I saw it contained three seeds. I took the seeds out and dug a small hole in the dark earth. I then placed the seeds in and went on my way. On my many travels I never looked back nor did I consider what I had done. Then many years on I came around the same way again. There on the side of a path, reaching high into the sky. There stood a great tree, covered in golden fruit. I looked as people were pulling the Apples off of the heavy laden limbs. I asked a woman with a basket how she liked the fruit. She said that it was wonderful, that it gave abundance every year. She said that with the Apples she made pies and sold them far and near. I saw a young child eating on a piece of fruit, I asked him how he was and he said he was good. He said the Apples were delicious and that he hadn't eaten all day. I spoke to many others then I went on my way. As I walked down the path, I looked now and again to the side, I saw smaller Apple trees sprouting out of the dark earth. I them smiled at the seed I had planted and wondered what they tree was worth. Then a voice spoke to me and said what you thought was a foolish thing, planting three seeds in the ground I have turned into a blessing. That woman sells her wares and can afford to pay her bills, little children come by and their bellies are filled. People rejoice at the miracle of hope where there was none. See how great a thing has come of what to you seemed like a silly thing you had done.

Poverty only seems to get worse. Fighting never seems to end. Wars rage on and people forget why they began in the first place. I struggle in my own life but try to help where I can. Crime and injustice abound, yet I keep trying to make it a better world. So much seems to go wrong, will I ever see it going right? I often wonder could I have done more? Is there something else I could have done? Have I done enough?