From Inside - Matthew Maher

http://www.themattmaherstory.com/blog.php?BEHIND-THE-EYES-486

BEHIND THE EYES

March 27, 2011

There is so much pain in this world and so much more behind these walls. Yet people are hesitant to expose their pain because they are convinced that bottling it up is the only remedy. I’ve come to learn that when you allow someone to tell you their story, they begin to allow you to see the pain behind their eyes: a pain that often consumes their every thought. This pain, if not released through purposed coping, can leave the host evading a taste of peace.

When we experience pain, for whatever reason, we must confront that pain head-on or all we will ever see is that tragedy, that difficulty, that experience. Hearing someone’s story with an open ear gives the person an opportunity to release the ugly emotions that suffocate the peace from that pain. Your open ear usually opens their heart and mind, which presents the basis behind purposed coping. I know this sounds crazy, but it’s true, and when we learn to use our pain for progression, then we are closing the gap between our pain and the awaited peace.

I have had the humbling privilege to listen to several of my new tier-mates’ stories and have found that the pain that is exposed has typically been the barrier blocking their progress. If it’s never exposed and released, it will leave the host empty and crippled.

Whether behind these walls or free, the pain behind our eyes can have purpose. When we commit to use our pain, as opposed to letting the pain consume us, we will discover the hidden peace in our pain.
Either let your own pain out or take the time to hear somebody else's story and you will be certain to have broken down barriers that might have otherwise engrossed our lives. There is purpose in our pain and as uncomfortable as it may be, we need to start exposing what’s behind our eyes so we can walk forward in what God has for us. True healing can never take place unless the wound is first exposed, then cleansed, and then treated appropriately.
Take the time to get behind the eyes and use an open ear to close a wound! God is good!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3

Review for "Brannigan's War"

"Two thumbs up for "Brannigan's War".

The riveting story from author, Carol Gambill, reveals the heart and soul of an American Veteran adjusting to life after combat in the Middle East.

Mitch Brannigan is a true Marine, and one the Marine Corps is proud to call their own--on and off the battlefield. Brannigan will capture the hearts of women, young and old alike, as his journey fulfills a promise to a fallen warrior and comrade which in turns opens the door to a very unexpected outcome.

The author skillfully gives the reader insights to the toll that war leaves on the men and women who serve in the military, and the courage they exhibit dealing with the aftermath of war."   

  ~T. O'Leary

Amazing!

Sgt Damon's Art: Thoughts On War 4-10-11

Sgt Damon's Art: Thoughts On War 4-10-11: "                       &n..."

Proud to be American

At a time when our president and 0ther politicians tend to apologize

for our country's prior actions, here's a refresher on how some of our former patriots

handled negative comments about our country.

JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US Military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded, "Does that include those who are buried here?"

DeGaulle did not respond.

You could have heard a pin drop.

* * * *

When in England ,

at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the

Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of

'empire building' by George Bush.

He answered by saying,

"Over the years, the United States has sent many of

its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom

beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for

in return is enough to bury those that did not

return."

You could have heard a pin drop.

* * * *

There was a conference in France

where a number of international engineers

were taking part, including French and American. During a break,

one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, "Have you

heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft

carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he

intend to do, bomb them?"

A Boeing engineer

stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three

hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are

nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to

shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to

feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand

gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a

dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and

from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships;

how many does France have?"

You could have heard a pin drop.

* * * *

A U.S. Navy Admiral

was attending a naval conference that included

Admirals from the U..S., English, Canadian, Australian and French

Navies At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large

group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries.

Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a

French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many

languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that

we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than

speaking French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the

Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't

have to speak German."

You could have heard a pin drop.

* * *

AND

THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...

Robert Whiting,

an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.

At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport

in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked

sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France

previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible.. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he

quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in

1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen

to show a passport to."

You could have heard a pin drop.

* * * *

Ten Things to Learn from Japan

Interesting culture.

1. THE CALM

Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has been elevated.

2. THE DIGNITY

Disciplined queues for water and groceries Not a rough word or a crude gesture.

3. THE ABILITY

The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.

4. THE GRACE

People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody could get something.

5. THE ORDER

No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just understanding.

6. THE SACRIFICE

Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How will they ever be repaid?

7. THE TENDERNESS

Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong cared for the weak.

8. THE TRAINING

The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they did just that.

9. THE MEDIA

They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No silly reporters. Only calm reportage.

10. THE CONSCIENCE

When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the shelves and left quietly

(Miss you, Masayo....)