Some of you are thinking of the song. Some of you are thinking a passage in a book of the Bible.

Turns out you would both be right, as the Bible was the inspiration for the song.  But either way, there is a lot of truth to this.  One does not
plant in the dead of winter, nor harvest before the plant has matured,
nor till in the summer.  Everything we do has its time and place.

For us, this is true of the times not only for mundane things, but the
spiritual as well.  Recently, my family took the time, as did many others, to celebrate events that occur this time of year, events from which a renewal of strength can be gathered.

Of course this season, the Spring,
also holds that message of hope and renewal. It is a time for beginning.  A number of activities are enjoyed this time of year,
including garden and orchard work, fellowship and time spent in spiritual
reflection.  The days have left us tired, joyful, empty and filled, ready to
start and continue the goodness within and without, ready to put to
rest those things which we find unhelpful, for ourselves and
around us. The Spring is a good time to cherish and begin growth and renewal.

For many people, the current climate of this our
nation is one of despair.  And such feelings grow daily, justified by
the events which have occurred.  Unless things are put back on track
soon, and we turn away from the willful self-destruct of a great Nation, the suffering will be far beyond what most people have known in
their life.  While it is true that adversity builds character and
strength, too much, too soon, for a person not ready or steeled to it,
can destroy instead.

While this Nation has been slowly being
picked apart for a long time, compromising freedom for the illusion of
security, the last few months have surprised even the pessimist in me. 
I expected this turn of events, but I thought it would take longer,
slowly backing us into the corner of tyranny.  It seems instead that we
have and are being herded quickly and efficiently to that destination.

All our history shows us some things, one item in particular. We are
shown that time and time again, there are bad times.  And that just as
surely, good times will come again, as the the sun will rise to destroy
darkness.

Our history shows that people will suffer, survivors will survive and that those who make it will be stronger. 

The tragedy of history is that we will not learn from what happens, as
times get easier, we lose our edge, place comforts before duty and
promote false ideas.  The wheel will turn; we will dance this dance
again.

Times are tough. They will get harder, beyond
imagination, before the sun rises again.  Stay strong, get practical. 
Remember those old lessons at grandma and grandpa's knee.  Remember
that this too shall pass. 

Prioritize, consolidate your position and your families, put your shoulders
into it.  Your ancestors survived and triumphed over greater odds; take
strength from them.  Take strength from your faith in your Divine. 
Give strength to those who need it.

An interesting quote comes to mind. When asked why a person was so tough, why they did things the way they did, they responded, "Ask me again when the tide is high and the water is still rising."

Looking at the times we live in, the
tide is high and the water is still rising.  But if you think you are
lost, think you are going to lose, then you won't survive or win.  When
things are their worst, when you are on the ropes you have got to get
mean, refuse to go gently.  Die hard.  Make our enemies pay for every
inch they get.  When it looks like there is no where to go, no way to
win, all hope is lost, then advance.  Charge straight into it. You
might not win, but then, you might not lose.

We are overdue for bad times.  We can make it.  We were once a practical people.  We can be again.  We can come through the bad times greater for the effort.

For
everything there is season.  Now is the time to find who you are, deep
inside.  To connect with your ancestors and your descendants. Please
know that when you struggle against the darkness, you are not alone. 
We are there with you, we are still here, there are others in this
battle.

Another quote:  "It
is not how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit, how much you
can take and still keep moving forward.  That is how winning is done." 
In his battle there is no blue ribbon, no trophy, just the knowledge
that if you lose, if you don't fight, all that you believe in will be
lost.

I believe in this Nation.  I believe in the ideals of
Liberty and Freedom.  I see a Nation of the Eagle, wounded, but ready
to once again take to the skies.  I believe in the Constitution of the
United States.  We will not go gently, we will survive, this Nation
shall not perish.

We can overcome this forced march to tyranny being perpetrated.  No more Trails of Tears for my people. Or yours!

Remember,
your money is not you.  Money is not true wealth.  Keep yourself happy, your
children healthy, keep your faith, believe in our Nation; that is the real wealth.  They cannot take that from you.  Money can be made
again.  Great people have gone broke and come back from defeat.  If you did it once, you can do it again.

Your ancestors started with nothing but faith and determination. They went on and built the greatest Nation the world has ever known.  Do not let the fear mongering of those in authority make you feel helpless.  You are a
great and powerful force, capable of anything you set your mind to. 

A person with a heart of faith and an agile mind has all the wealth they need to make their life a good one.

We, as Free People, can take the lessons of the Spring, the lessons of the great holidays of this time of year, to remember who we are.  We can take these reminders to heart and use them to plant the seeds of hope for something better. Times are tough and they may get worse.  You can make it, never forget that.

For what it is worth, I believe in you hard-working, good folks out there.Remember that others do as well.  Believe in yourself!

Stay strong!