Life and Living : A Random Thought

There is life
And there is living

Life is predetermined
You are born
You live
You Die

Living is created
You are born
You learn
You love
You experience
You share

Are you living life?

Is life living you?

Going Home, A Southern View

Home is a wonderful place, and although going home again can be tough, it is an amazing experience once you get there. I left Alabama at 22 after graduating from Auburn University, and with my degree in hand; I set out with hopes and dreams of making a difference in the world. At that point in my life I was running, not searching. All I wanted to do was get as far from Alabama as possible and live a great life. Seven years later, I am thankful for the many adventures I have had, but Alabama is part of me and I miss it with all my heart.

Yes, I loved living in Manhattan! New York City gets in your blood and it is hard to leave. I made life long friends in Iowa, and I will always have a place in my heart for a state whose motto at the time was “Iowa, You Make Me Smile”, and let me tell you, it did and still does today. I fell in and out of love with a great girl while living in Toledo, Ohio. The great state of Texas was good to me. And Chicago is where I live today. Life in the windy city is amazing. and I am comfortable here, but it is just not home.

Home for me is, and forever will be, sitting in the shade of a white oak tree that you watched grow along with your family over the years. It is a place where you still look out for your neighbors. Where the elderly live their lives listening to the police scanners and gossiping about who they saw leaving the liquor store or whose messing around on who. Home is farming cotton, skinny dipping with your girl friend at the river, crappie fishing at the lake, drinking with buddies, while playing the sign game. It is where you can sit at night and count the endless stars in the heavens, while listening to the mocking birds sing. Home is where the family dog is, well, part of the family. It is where life and time move at a slightly slower pace. Home is where family still means something.

I never new how much I loved home and how much Alabama was a part of my life. I still bleed orange and blue as I cheer on the best college football team in the country. I laugh about driving to the county line to by beer since my hometown is dry! The last seven years have been exciting, but I miss home. Like it or not, Alabama is part of me. And I am proud to be from such a great place. I believe that Alabama is the Heart of Dixie and no matter where I live or where I travel, Dixie is forever in the heat of me.

Lost Words

Photo By D.K.Parker

Endless Road

Photo by D.K. Parker

Rat Race: A Different View of Corporate America

This highway is my maze, and my career and success, the cheese I am searching far. I look to my left and to my right, wondering if the others are thinking the same. How did I ever get here? There is so much more to life and living than sitting in this traffic jam, but just like a trained animal each morning I awake at the sound of the screeching, irritating tone and I do as I am trained to do.

Who is controlling me? Could it be my boss? No, someone else is controlling him? Is it my paycheck? What causes me to react to the stimulants of life, more money, the opportunity to advance, or perhaps a bigger job in the future. Only more empty promises of happiness will come. Why am I here? Is this what life is all about?

I continue to sit is this traffic wondering, what happens to me next, as if I had no control over my own life. Will my promotion come through, oh things will be better then, as I try to convince myself that soon I will be happy, but I will not, nothing will change. I will just be a bigger rat, in a different maze and maybe better trained.
Everyday I consider quitting this game, but fear keeps me going. Will I ever overcome my fear? Will the pain ever out way the fear of loosing it all. Why am I not happy? I have it made. People look at me and say, “He is successful” but I am not. I am only a trained animal running in an endless rat race.

Perspective, A Different View

Photo by D.K. Parker

Friends, People, and Life

I am a people person. I prefer to be around people most all the time. I am at my best when surrounded by energetic, excitable individuals. It is as if I feed off their energy, good or bad. I am my own person, but I assure you every person I encounter in life becomes a little bit of my existence.

It is for this reason that to truly understand me, you must understand my friends and their importance in my life. There is one who is my best friend, and he is my brother in this world, although we are not related. There are times when only my best friend understands me, and times that he is the only person that questions what everyone else agrees upon to be true and correct. I am a better person for having him as a friend.

There is also a network of close personal friends who have altered the course of my life. It is unfortunate, but most of them have no idea the impact they have had on me. Their family adopted me when I first moved to the mid-west, where I knew know one. Others suffered together along side of me as together we learned how to survive in corporate America, and we all lived to fight another day, only this time stronger through our friendship. Some have been roommates, Auburn Grads, fellow Cub fans, NYC drinking buddies or fellow wary travels I met along the way. Many have been more adventuresome than I, and today I live vicariously through them from time to time. They risked everything to chase after their dreams in Japan, Paris, Romania, and a many other destinations around the world. Oh how I love to tell stories about them! In one-way or another, all of these people have changed my perception of life.

Then there is the chance meeting that completely alters my entire life. It could be a random meeting at a dear friends wedding in Guatemala where everyone becomes friends for week or perhaps a lifetime. Or it could be a young banker who was tragically killed only after a few weeks of friendship. That chapter in my life was short, but it will forever be one of the most important.

People are people and life is life, but for me the two are always one in the same. I look forward to remaining close to those who are my friends and I cant wait to meet new people tomorrow.
Who are your friends? How have they changed your life? I would love to hear your story of friendship. Please feel free to post your responses here!

Glowing Sunset

Photo by D.K. Parker

The Lemonade Stand Business Model

Last year I saw this kid in the park selling lemonade. Come to think of it, this was the only real American lemonade stand I had ever seen. As I watched his customers come and go I begin to ponder how something as simple as a child’s lemonade stand would look if it were ran using today’s business model. So if I could go back in time and run a lemonade stand using today’s corporate business model this is how my business would have progressed

In order to cut cost and increase production, I’d water down my lemonade to the point it was barley recognizable as lemonade. Next, I would open my stand in the second best location in the neighborhood to cut cost on the location expenses. Then I would employee other kids to sell my lemonade in other locations paying them a base salary that is just be high enough to keep them from quitting, and on top of that I would offer them five cents a glass for every glass they sold over their target plan, which I would make slightly unobtainable.

Once I had operations in place, I would start buying my product in bulk, and then finding a way to outsource production of lemonade to Asia. Then I would venture into other refreshment markets and offer spring water and soft drinks. Perhaps, even private labeled bottle water for my lemonade stands.

Finally, I would launch a massive marketing campaign, and when my Lemonade stand revenues were at their peek I would sell the business, write a book about it, and become a Lemonade stand consultant.

Conspiracy, A View from the Grassy Knoll

Photo By D.K. Parker

The True Sound of Freedom

Freedom has a distinct and true sound, some people never hear it, others never realize it, and there are those of us who live for it. We are the few who seek out new adventures and thrills everyday. We seek understanding and we question norms. We do not degrade the beliefs of others. Rather we build on the differences we encounter. We become one with those we meet, if only for an instant, and as we depart from their presence part of them will always be etched into our being. Interactions with the people we meet along our journey are the most important aspect of our existence. Some of these people become our friends, others our peers, and others only bring about a smile or a happy moment of memory.

Together we are a collective of rucksack ramblers and backpack buddies. We have little fear of the unknown. You might see us as you drive through the countrysides of Europe as we hitch from one destination to another. We can be found working at random no name bars on some small island in the Adamen Sea. Some of us work the fields of a small, undiscovered countryside trying to scrape together enough money for our next adventure. Others will find us camped just outside of a small town with a few other crazy mates that we befriended along the way. We are never in one place very long, and you might walk right past and not realize we even exist, but we really do not care if you see us or not.

Our driving is force is not the size of our bank account, nor how our stock portfolio stacks up against our brothering. What does drive us? Living life, and the experiencing it to its fullest. We love people and we love you, although you do not always understand us. We sometimes laugh at you when we see you with your guidebooks and fancy digital cameras. You also piss us off to know end when you snap pictures at the worst possible times. We wonder why you do not live for the experience and the moment, and why do you carry your homeland everywhere you go, and you expect everyone to conform to your thoughts and ways? Do not forget that we too are proud of our own culture, and that we love our homelands, but remember we live life to experience all things and all others.

We seek understanding and enlightenment. Weather it comes from a monk on the highest peak in Tibet, or a homeless man on a cold no name street in Frankfort? We do not judge those who share their philosophy, although we do question and ask for more insight. We only ask that you help us understand. When you see us during our travels do not dismiss us, rather talk to us. Do not forget that we want to be connected to you and perhaps part of us will become part of your being as well.

We travel the world in search of answers, and we have found one truth; the true and distinct sound of freedom is the sound of your passport being stamped as you enter into an unknown country with an open and free mind.

Rainy Days

Photo By D.K. Parker

Enjoy the Journey

from the travel log of Darren Parker, Date June 1, 2004

I have been back in the United States now for two months, and there is not a day goes by I do not have thoughts of Romania and how God took a missionary with a vision, a small Romanian town, and some extraordinary people, and totally changed my life.

I accepted Christ at the age of 13, and I remember the details of that day like it happen yesterday. The feeling when Christ came into my sole and I accepted him as my Lord and my Savoir. I remember the cleansing feeling, the tears of joy, and the empowerment. That was truly a wonderful day! My relationship with God grew thought high school and was proud to take the message to other youth. Then I went to college.

While in college I slowly slipped away from God, and by my sophomore year, God and religion were part of my past. I graduated in 1998 and went out to concur the world. I work hard and sacrificed everything to get ahead. The cash pored in and I was promoted fast. At age 28 I was on top of the world living in New York and one the newest executive in one of the world largest companies. And although happy with my place in life, I was clearly unhappy and searching for answers to lives big question, “Why am I here.” It was late one night on the rooftop of my Manhattan Apartment that God came to me once again. I was overwhelmed with his presence and I realized that I owed all my success to him. He helped me understand that He had been preparing me for bigger things and that He had a plan to me. It was that moment I rededicated my life to God. Once again I was excited and empowered, although I was more confused than ever.

Within a week of my rededication I was transferred to Dallas, TX. It was in Dallas I got involved with Metro Family Church. It was great to be back in church again. I continued to pray for God to show me his plan for me. On a flight from the West Coast, he came to me in a truly divine thought and clearly told me that I should travel outside of the U.S. and see the work He and His servants are doing in other parts of the world. I spoke to a close Christian friend and he forward information regarding R.U.T.H Ministries. Within a few days I was having conversations with Marta and Marshall about Harsova, Romania, of all places. It was clear that God wanted me to go and see, a month later I found myself on a plane to Bucharest. It hit me as I was flying over the Atlantic Ocean that I had no idea why I was going to Romania, but for some reason it felt right. This is what God wanted, and I was happy to be going to help.

I spent 10 days in Harsova and the moment I arrived all the locals accepted me. I broke bread with them. I played soccer with them, and I worshiped with them. I have sat in many church services in my life, but none have moved me more than those in the small 500 sq ft church there in Harsova. The passion you can see in the pastors eyes, the love in the voice of the youth as they sing, and the prayers of the church member moved me to tears in each service.

While I was in Harsova God used many people to change my life. The pastor’s children thrilled my heart every day. Shasa and Nick became great friends and I miss telling jokes with them. Pastor Emi, he is the most amazing person I have ever met. I could have listened to him talk for hours about life before the revolution. He is a great Christian man and wonderful leader. The street kids and there amazement of me touch my heart in a very special way. And above all the many late night discussions with Marshall about RUTH, mission work, Gods plan, and a million other topics.

I left Harsova on a Saturday afternoon, and to be honest it was one of the hardest goodbyes I have ever had. It was hard not to cry as everyone hugged me and wish me farewell. Some prayed with me, some cried with me, others laughed with me, it was a truly emotional day. I guess the hardest good by was with Oti the pastor’s eight-year-old son, and I have to admit there were tears in my eyes as I gave him a hug goodby. I departed from Romania on a Sunday and it was not until I was flying over Greenland I took out my digital camera and started flipping through the 500 plus pictures that it really hit me. I had gone to Romania to help people and I gained more than anyone.

Upon arriving back in the United States I continued to pray to God to revile his plan for me. I questions, “should I quite my job and become a missionary?” “God what am I suppose to do with this wonderful knowledge you have given me.” In answering my prayers God has made it clear to me that it is part of his plan for me to involved in mission work, but at what level God has not told me. I am certain it will come in time, and I am committed to follow that plan as God shows me more.

Since I returned from Romania people I have known for years continue to comment that I am different, that something about me is different. This opens a door and allows me to share my personal story about my salvation and gives me the opportunity to lead a lost sole Christ.

I would have never thought that I would have to get on a plane and fly halfway around the world, but I am glad God took the people in Harsova, Romania and changed my life and the lives of all those I witness to in his name.
When Marshall dropped me at the airport he said one thing to me that I will live by forever, “ Enjoy the Journey!” Christian life is truly a journey, and I happy that God’s plan for my journey included Harsova Romania, and I am excited to see what the next stop in this exhilarating journey will be.

Smell The Fresh Bread

Photo By D.K. Parker

Trains

There is something amazing about trains! Below you will see the one of the many random thoughts from my journal. I made this entry late on a Sunday afternoon while taking the train back to New Haven, CT a after a wonderful weekend in New York City.

Trains
People get on, people get off
Trains
Businessmen read, buddies talk, strangers stare, lovers kiss
Trains
A child laughs, not a care in the world
Trains
A conductor that comments on your baseball cap and shares his thoughts about the season
Trains
Car after car, combined as one
Trains
Speeding through the night as daylight gives into darkness
Trains
Sounds of the metal screeching as we twist and turn down the track
Trains
One stop, two stops, the next stop,
Trains
Small towns, larger towns, why does the train stop here
Trains
A small point in time where all aboard are one
Trains
Faith, random meetings, love at first sight
Trains
People get on people get off

Trains!

Obituary of the Unknown

Yesterday morning at 5:31 a.m. the world lost another unknown soul. Like so many others that perish everyday, he really only had lived an average life.

He spent 25 years at the same company where he moved through meaningless middle management jobs. He was a want to be adventurer, but really could never give up the security and money his job provided to be truly happy.

A wife and two children survive him, and the million-dollar life insurance policy should help them get through this difficult time. I am certain he will be missed, but in the long term another will replace him.

Hundreds attended the funeral, although he had a few true friends. Everyone was there to see and be seen. There were discussion about stock tips, upcoming business meetings, and latest community rumors, but little was said about the accomplishments of the average man who had died.

The eulogy was delivered, the minister spoke, and a few people did even cry, since death is sad that way. His body was then taken to the cemetery where it was buried in his final resting place. His tombstone simply read “He Honored Life”, with his birth date and death date etched into the granite.
Within a few days the emotions around his death will subside and he will become forgotten by most. At that point he will become just an unknown soul that once passed across the earth.

Time Expired

Photo By D.K. Parker