The intent of my effort is combining mystery with reality, the active and contemplative aspects of life brought together, forming a path to unification with God, embracing reality in order to transcend, balancing the natural with the spiritual.  I will build upon a lifetime of failure—the struggles of a man enduring severe alcoholism throughout his life, recovery, spiritual exploration vacillating between extremes of exploitation to ecstasy, a hidden life as a writer and poet, and most of all the desire to live the practical realities of a loving God.  Shunning intellectualism, sidestepping the vainglory of reputation, withstanding all desire to teach, realizing I cannot stay in continual meditation, committed to the Catholic Church, I seek to explore the idea of placing thoughts into action, placing enigmas pointing to something structured a part of my intent.

Desiring to explore other Blogging efforts, I came across a wonderful blog Contemplative in the Mud.  The scope of the blog embraced an approach I aim toward, while understanding that at this time I must work through identity in order to achieve the simplicity observed.  The absolute dedication, recognizing of the authority of the Catholic Church, must firmly be entrenched.  My foundation is built upon the solidest of rocks.  Younger, devoted to the Church, I still felt the need to present myself as open-minded, especially in secular and artistic social worlds.  Dabbling about within the friary, a conservative demand bellowed about.  Now worldly, learning to become enamored with the election of Pope Francis, I come out firmly and staunchly as a Catholic, placing myself under complete obedience to the Church.  I open my heart to compassion and empathy, while embracing orderly authority, comforted through dogma passing through centuries.   It is a relief, empowering, the practical reality of freedom overpowering enslavement.