Posts in Alabstraction

Making Plans and Trusting in a Higher Purpose

Alabstraction Lifestyle

We all have plans, don’t we? Plans for our careers, relationships, finances, and dreams we hold close. I’m no different. I spend a lot of time thinking, strategizing, and mapping out my life. I set goals, draft timelines, and invest energy into creating the future I imagine for myself and my family. But life, as it often reminds me, doesn’t always unfold according to my carefully laid plans.

I came across a verse recently that speaks to this truth in a simple yet powerful way: “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21). It’s one of those verses that can stop you in your tracks, forcing you to pause and think about what it means for all the aspirations we work so hard to achieve. This verse doesn’t discourage us from planning. It acknowledges the inevitability that our best-laid plans sometimes get rerouted by something greater, something beyond our understanding.

Looking back, I can see moments when things didn’t go as planned—sometimes painfully so. Projects didn’t pan out, relationships shifted, and the road curved unexpectedly. In those moments, I felt frustration, sometimes even doubt. But hindsight is a wise teacher. With time, I began to see how those disruptions actually worked in my favor. Where I’d initially seen only dead ends, a path opened that I hadn’t anticipated, leading to something better or helping me grow in ways I never would have otherwise.

This verse, for me, is a call to stay grounded and flexible. It encourages me to hold onto my goals lightly, remembering that they don’t have to be rigid. God’s purpose for us can be different from what we envision, but it’s ultimately a purpose that has our best interests at heart, even when we can’t see it. While I may be driven to shape my life in a particular way, I’m learning to trust that there’s a wisdom beyond mine at work, steering me toward what I truly need rather than what I merely want.

So now, when I feel uncertainty creeping in or when things don’t go the way I’d hoped, I come back to Proverbs 19:21. It’s a reminder to keep planning and striving but to leave room for something bigger. It’s an invitation to embrace both the ambition to move forward and the faith to let go, trusting that even if things don’t turn out exactly as I planned, they’re turning out exactly as they’re meant to.

In the end, my plans might evolve, shift, or even fall away, but I trust that God’s purpose for my life remains constant. And there’s a peace in knowing that the path I’m on, though unpredictable, is leading somewhere good, somewhere purposeful. That’s where my faith lives, and that’s what keeps me grounded through every twist and turn.

Let me know if this resonates with you or if you’d like any adjustments.

“Are you all in?”

Alabstraction Lifestyle

“Are you all in?”

It’s a question I find myself asking often, in everything I do. Whether it’s my career, my family, my health, or my role as a husband and father, there’s always this internal check—am I really giving it my all?

Being “all in” isn’t just about effort; it’s a mindset. It’s a commitment to show up fully, to push beyond what’s comfortable, and to engage with purpose. In my life, I’ve found that it’s not enough to just be present. You have to be engaged, invested, and focused. You have to be all in.

When it comes to family, for example, I remind myself that being there isn’t just about physical presence. Am I truly listening? Am I connecting with my kids, my partner, in a way that lets them know they are my priority? Time is finite, and while I may not always have control over my schedule, I have control over how I show up. Am I all in when I’m with them? I hope so.

In my career, the stakes are high. Responsibilities, challenges, and the constant need to stay ahead can be overwhelming. It’s tempting to just go through the motions some days. But I know that if I’m going to make a real impact, I need to commit. I need to remind myself that this isn’t just a job—it’s a platform. Am I giving my best, pushing boundaries, solving problems with real intent? Am I all in?

Health is another pillar. I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t just for me; it’s for the people who count on me. It’s easy to brush aside workouts, to cut corners on eating well, or to stay up late working instead of getting enough sleep. But the truth is, if I’m not healthy—mentally and physically—I can’t be there for the people who need me most. Am I all in on taking care of myself so I can take care of them?

As a husband and father, the idea of being “all in” is something I hold close. These are the roles that matter most. I’m not perfect, and I make mistakes, but I try to keep the perspective that being present, being patient, being understanding is what makes the difference. Am I making the choices that reflect my priorities? Am I all in when it matters most?

Being “all in” doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean never failing. It means that in the moments that count—in the areas that define us—we choose to show up fully. We choose to push harder, to care deeper, to engage more intentionally. It’s a question worth asking, and one I’ll continue to ask myself every day.

Am I all in?

The Spark of Life: The Moment of Conception

Alabstraction

There’s something magical about the moment life begins. It’s a mystery as old as time itself, yet recent science has revealed something truly fascinating about the precise moment of conception: a literal flash of light.

When sperm meets egg, there is a burst of bright light, like a spark igniting a new flame of life. This “spark” isn’t just poetic—it’s real. Scientists have observed this phenomenon in a series of experiments, where calcium signals trigger the release of zinc within the egg at the moment of fertilization. The zinc reacts with other molecules, emitting a bright flash that can be seen under a microscope. This zinc firework has been called the “spark of life,” and it’s a beautiful visual representation of something even more profound—the beginning of human life.

But what could this spark mean beyond the science? Some people believe that this luminous flash could signify something more spiritual—a moment when the soul enters the body. Could this be the moment when a spirit joins the fertilized egg, beginning its journey in the physical world?

For centuries, many cultures and religions have explored the concept of the soul entering the body at conception. In this perspective, the spark of life isn’t just a chemical reaction—it’s the union of body and spirit. The light that bursts forth at fertilization could symbolize the arrival of something eternal, something beyond the mere physical components of life.

Science explains the biological process of conception in great detail, but the idea that this spark might be more than just zinc fireworks taps into a deeper question: what makes us who we are? Is it the joining of DNA, or is it something more elusive, like the spark of consciousness or spirit?

Ultimately, the moment when sperm meets egg is a marvel of nature—whether viewed through the lens of science or spirituality. The spark of life, visible as a flash of light, can remind us of the magic and mystery inherent in creation. Whether we interpret it as the merging of cells or the arrival of a soul, it’s a moment that speaks to the wonder of life itself.

Could this light be more than just science? Could it be the moment we become truly alive, not just physically, but spiritually as well? We may never know for sure, but the spark of life continues to captivate both our minds and our hearts, reminding us that life is full of wonder in every way.

Architect of My Life: Finding Purpose with Faith

Alabstraction

Have you ever stopped to think about what’s at the core of your life? We all have hopes, dreams, and ambitions, but what are they rooted in? For me, I’ve found that when Jesus is at the center of it all, everything seems to fall into place in a way that’s both reassuring and meaningful.

Life can feel like a journey where the path isn’t always clear, and that’s where faith comes in. Knowing that God has a bigger plan gives me a sense of peace, even when I don’t have all the answers. I may not know every step ahead, but trusting that I’m being guided by love and wisdom is enough to keep me grounded.

When I think about what guides my decisions and shapes my relationships, it’s comforting to know that Jesus is the constant in my life. He’s not just an idea or a belief; He’s the steady source of strength and hope that I lean on, especially when things feel uncertain. And with God orchestrating my life, I feel a sense of purpose, even in the everyday moments.

I’ve learned that letting go of control doesn’t mean giving up on dreams—it means trusting that there’s a bigger, more beautiful plan than I could ever design on my own. And that’s where the real peace comes from: knowing that I’m part of something greater.

So, as you reflect on your own life, ask yourself: What’s guiding your path? Is it faith, love, or something else? When we allow God to take the lead, our lives become fuller, richer, and more aligned with the purpose we were meant for.

Trust in that process, knowing that with faith, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Echoes of Existence: Navigating the Labyrinth of Perception

Alabstraction
Navigating Perception Labyrinth

In the ebb and flow of existence, I find myself navigating the labyrinthine paths of perception and reality, where the boundaries blur and truths morph into elusive shadows. Each day unfolds like a delicate origami, revealing layers of complexity that challenge the very fabric of my being. I am but a solitary voyager in the vast expanse of time, a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of the universe.

As I wander through the corridors of my mind, I am confronted with the enigma of identity – a kaleidoscope of experiences, memories, and aspirations that shape the narrative of my existence. Who am I, but a collection of fleeting thoughts and emotions, a transient embodiment of consciousness seeking meaning in a world fraught with ambiguity?

In the silence of contemplation, I grapple with the fundamental questions that haunt the human soul. What is the nature of reality? Do we truly perceive the world as it is, or are we mere spectators in a grand illusion orchestrated by forces beyond our comprehension? As I ponder these mysteries, I find solace in the beauty of uncertainty, in the infinite possibilities that lie beyond the confines of reason and logic.

Life, I realize, is a paradoxical dance of light and shadow, of joy and sorrow, of beginnings and endings. It is a fragile equilibrium teetering on the precipice of chaos, a symphony of contradictions that defy rational explanation. And yet, in the midst of this cosmic cacophony, I find a sense of awe and wonder, a profound appreciation for the fleeting moments of beauty that punctuate the tumultuous narrative of human existence.

So I embrace the uncertainty, the ambiguity, the inherent mystery of life. I surrender to the enigmatic forces that shape my destiny, knowing that in the grand scheme of things, I am but a fleeting spark in the vast expanse of eternity. And in this realization, I find peace, a transcendent serenity that transcends the boundaries of time and space, and binds me to the eternal rhythm of the universe.