Life's Hurricanes

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Hurricane Gustav is coming. It's all over the news ... the path of destruction ... possibly straight for New Orleans. Ironically this Friday, August 29th, is the three year anniversary of Katrina. I think we'll be spared, but who knows what the future holds...The best we can do is pray-really intensely.

Hurricanes come in many shapes and sizes...and they're not always physical storms...many of them are personal. When Hurricane Katrina hit N.O., my family and I were going through a personal -category four storm...and the path of destruction and the after effects have been just as fierce...taking an emotional, physical and spiritual toll. In fact today, August 26th, is the anniversary of our storm and i'm happy to say, we're alive and kicking...and doing quite well- I might add.

Like our neighbors in New Orleans, some three years later...time has begun to heal the deep wounds- as we've worked hard to rebuild our lives while looking to each day with a renewed sense of hope and a bright optimism. Because- if you really think about it...as bad as they can be...storms can also bring a cleansing...a purging of the garbage that has weighed down and dirtied our lives. Storms often wipe the slate clean, giving us a second chance to soar. A second chance to buff and polish away the stains...so our souls can shine with the spirit of love and renewal...

There is a calm after every storm, a bright side to every dark side and a resurrection after one's death....because the storms of life are carried on the winds of change, through our wondrous world, to the dawning of each new day and to the peace and soulful serenity which always comes after the storm has passed us by.

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