Random

I discovered today that God is demanding me to forgive those who've wronged me as Colossians 3:13 says, "If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you".  It's taken me many years to understand this.  I do now feel a bit lighter, if that makes sense; I feel like I don't have to carry the heavy burden of hate.  I'm used to burning bridges.  I'm the engineer; I study the environment, hire the construction workers, dictate those to build that bridge, then I set fire and watch it burn.  This can't be me anymore.

Dreams?!
I'm often extremely mortified by my dreams. 
I'm intrigued enough that I've done some research.  "Renown psychologist Carl Jung observed that portions of our whole personality which we knowingly or unknowingly judge become disowned, and are frequently projected outward in dreams, taking the form of aggressors, devils, monsters, intimidating animals or natural events (e.g. tidal waves), and so on. Jung referred to these symbolic figures as "the shadow". Whether we become aware of such elements of our shadow through nightmares or daymares, re-accepting these judged and disowned portions of ourselves is the message and the awaiting gift (www.dreams.ca)."
I struggle to see my aggressor in my recent nightmare as a projection of a portion of me.  Hm..  Yes, this is certainly disconcerting.
"The pursuer usually represents a fearful aspect of our shadow, and hence an exaggerated version of a denied or inhibited portion of our own personality that would benefit us if integrated and appropriately expressed (www.dreams.ca)."

Hiccups...
I am not plagued by these often but when they do come on to haunt me, they're relentless.  Let's research...
It has something to do with irritation of the diaphragm, pulling downward in an awkward jerk, causing the owner to suck in air suddenly.  When this air hits the owner's voice box, the hiccup occurs.  Bleh...  I've had these for about two hours now. 
Some cures....

NONE of the following have worked.  Yes.  I did try these.

Think of all the bald men you can.

 Tell yourself "I'm not going to hiccup again."

 Don't do anything; just wait for the next hiccup.

Hold your breath (for 8 seconds, for as long as you can, etc.).

The following had me giggling...

Fart.

Ummm..

Burp.

Don't swallow.

Burp a little bit.

Say "pineapple."

Stand on your head.

I'm tempted to try this....

Make yourself vomit.

Talk non-stop for ten seconds.

Not a problem for me...  My consumers would LOVE this...

Repeatedly tell yourself "you are not a fish."

Count to twenty with your fingers in your ears.

Hold your head far back and stroke you throat.

Urinate; concentrate on both peeing and breathing.

Guffaw! 

Gently rub your ear lobe until the hiccups are gone.

Massage right below your rib cage (on both sides).

Apply pressure to your forehead just above your eyes.

Rub the back of your tongue to stimulate the gag reflex.

Try to say "now!" out loud just before your next hiccup. 

Press yourself to the carpet as hard as you can and hold it.

Gross.. Not here.

With your eyes closed, massage your eyeballs through your eyelids.

Run; keep running for at least 10 minutes after the hiccups have subsided.

I'd probably vomit.  But hey, that's a suggested cure from above...  Let me tie my shoes..  =X

Rub your soft palate with your finger or a cotton swab until you almost gag.

Hold your tongue with your thumb and index finger and gently pull it forward.

So... Boo to hiccups...  I'm not too optimistic about losing em either.  >.<  Thank you to www.musanim.com for the suggestions...

Love of music. <3
Have I mentioned that I adore Casting Crowns?
Here's lyrics to "Prodigal" by Casting Crowns...

Living on my own, thinking for myself
Castles in the sand, temporary wealth
Walls are falling down, storms are closing in
Tears have filled my eyes, here I am again

And I've held out as long as I can
Now I'm letting go and holding out my hand
Daddy, here I am again, will you take me back tonight
I went and made the world my friend, and it left me high and dry
I dragged Your name back through the mud
That You first found me in
Not worthy to be called Your son
Is this to be my end?
Daddy, here I am
Here I am again
Curse this morning sun, drags me in to one more day
Of reaping what I've sown, of living with my shame
Welcome to my world, and the life that I have made
Where one day you're a prince, the next day you're a slaveThe

Parable of the Prodigal Son resonates within me.  For as long as I have strayed from God, I've stayed in darkness.  Now that I am striving to climb out of my pit, I am confident that God will readily accept me again.  In coming to myself, I will come out of my hopeless state.  Micah 7:19 tells me, “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea”. 

Grace
"Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve.  Justice is when we get what we do deserve.  Grace is when we get what we do not deserve (Hope in the Midst of Depression:  How to Embrace Life Again, Mary Southerland)". 
Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹²Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"
It took me some time to understand the meaning of Grace.  It has become extremely obvious that God's grace is truly working in my life.  I want to mention someone here.  I'll call him CaptainK.  I feel that God sent this beautiful person into my life, not to save me, as this is a journey that needs to start with me stepping into my Chucks and walking His path, but to offer me guidance (a hand out of my pit).  God Bless CaptainK.  When I finally get to meet you, I won't be surprised if I feel so light, that I'm swept off my Chucks (feet).  We all require God's grace; it's unmerited, unearned and plentiful.
Hallelujah. <3