Our Inner Story

I work in a business where we assist military officers make a successful transition from a military career into a business career. We guide them through self-introspection exercises to help them recognize their strengths, weaknesses, goals set and reached, patterns, and ways of doing things. We help them determine the best direction for their future. For those who choose business, we connect them with the best developmental opportunities available in Corporate America.

In the economic conditions of this past year, I have spoken with many friends who have also been making transitions in their lives. Some losing jobs and seeking new ones, some retiring from their careers and looking at what they want to be involved with in their retirement years, and others just questioning the best direction for their futures, both professionally and personally. Being in "mid-life" myself, I see many of my contemporaries reaching a time in life when they reflect on what they have accomplished so far in life and questioning whether they should take a new path to reach their true life's dream or purpose. This may be a new path as a career, or it could be a new path spiritually or relationally. We each have an "inner story" and if we listen to that Spirit within, we may more clearly see the path we should take.

An (unfinished) Inner Story…

There is an inner music
That seeks to play its song
It taps a beat into the heart
For it’s melody I long.

There is an inner poem
That seeks to tell its story
Love’s inspiration, nature’s beauty
Life and truth and glory.

There is an inner passion
That burns within the soul
I’m called, I’m pulled, I ache, I yearn
For God to make me whole.

There is an inner painting
That seeks to share its vision
It’s color, shading, brushstroke, image
A clarity, arisen.

There is an inner longing
That pulls upon my heart
Is there more I am to be or do?
Am I to play a different part?

There is an inner Spirit
That dances and uplifts
It lightens, guides and shows the way
To love, life and their gifts.

There is an inner peace
That is there without my striving
Rest and listen to the breathing
It is there, where I am thriving.

There is an inner story
Of adventure, risk, yet hope
It is where my true love waits for me..
……

By Design, Too

How intentional are you about the furniture you live with, live on, live around? Are most of your furniture pieces hand-me-downs from Parents, Grandparents or friends? These could be wonderful, well-made antiques, or they may just be old! What does your furniture say about you, your style, your personality? Do you like the message? Does it say anything at all? And, how does it make you feel? Welcomed? At home? Warm? Or, cold and removed? When you have furniture designed and made just for you, it can add that personal touch or style, tie together the randomness of other pieces, bring comfort or warmth that may have been lacking, or just add a practical functionality that you have needed. Whether it is a Dining Table and set of chairs, a hall table in your home's entry way, or that Bed that you have always dreamed of, the design, style, construction, wood color, finish are all important elements to the desired end result.

When a client contacts Rex about a piece of furniture, the design process starts immediately as Rex formulates a mental vision of the piece and considers its function and construction. He will discuss the style desired, what will fit within a space or fit in with other pieces. He will discuss types and natural colors of wood. The wood and other materials are selected. Will there be accents of brass, stone, leather or glass? These details move the process further along the design path. Photos showing lines, shapes or colors that are pleasing to the client help to shape the initial drawing of the piece. Additional drawings will be produced to refine the details until the drawing represents the desired end product in form and function. A bid can then be produced based upon all of the elements that will be included in the custom piece. Are you ready for Rex to design and build a piece of furniture for you now? Contact him through this site, or through his website, http://www.rexwhitecustomfurniture.com/ !

Chasing Sunsets

The thoughts and plans for my trip were looping through my brain like a song that keeps repeating itself in my head without any conscious effort. My trip would take me back to people and places of my past. Times for reconnecting, remembering and renewing are anticipated. The visions of faces, places, sounds, smells, smiles, hugs, emotions play themselves out on the movie screen of my mind. The reflection on my past while anticipating the future casts an interesting light on the present. Sometimes "Now" can be overrated. The stark reality of now with its sharp edges, vivid images, brilliant clarity can be overwhelming. The gentle filter of my memory can serve to soften the edges, blur the images and shade the starkness, like airbrushing a photograph or wearing rose-colored glasses. The memory may be sweeter, lovelier and kinder than the reality. Granted, this is not always true. Sometimes the sharp pain of loss or hurt can cloud even the best memories and overshadow the goodness of life experiences. Plans to revisit meaningful people and memorable places, playing out potential conversations, shared emotions, laughter and maybe tears can be more pleasant and enjoyable than the actual events will be. Maybe that is why I like to plan, expect, hope and dream. The fantasies of what could be, might be, hope to be are wonderful little mental vacations my mind takes me on. No doubt too much living in the past or planning for the future can cause us to miss some brilliant moments that are happening NOW. Yet I learn from my past and I have hope for my future. Both give me perspective and appreciation of "Now." Like chasing sunsets across the sky, I can fly back to my homeland and reconnect with my past - but that sun has set and I am only living when I am aware and cognizant of this moment and the next, creating new meaningful memories by being present to each of life's experiences.