carlfmaulbeck

Remembering Mike

Michael E. Maulbeck, age 66, of Parsippany, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Mike graduated from Oratory High School in Summit and for many years, he was an office clerk with the U-Haul company in Saddlebrook, NJ. However, what he is truly remembered for is his “Presence”. Michael was generally not theContinue reading “Remembering Mike”

Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God[1] Conventional wisdom suggests poor in spirit is humbleness – unconditional empathy. It’s accepting powerlessness… life is not what’s in it for me and love is non-competitive. It’s receptive to the spirit… selflessness is untouched by sin and resistant to all judgment. It’sContinue reading “Poor in Spirit”

Bounce Back Better

Setbacks are inevitable… to recover is not a passive movement, resiliency is an active affirmation, Absorbing the effects of the injury affects restoring comfort and happiness – surpass survival – thrive. Well-being is not an accident. Engaged is not a coincidence. Harmony is not a lucky chance. Total commitment… exercise the body, adjust the attitude,Continue reading “Bounce Back Better”

Persecuted

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven[1] Abandoned and marginalized, it’s difficult to bear bias, harder to endure injustice to suffer inequality. Thus, disregarded by blind eyes, marginalized, and abandoned the consigned, to the dung heap, hope for delayed gratification. Uprightness demands commitment, truth always asksContinue reading “Persecuted”

Embracing Change

O God, I am tired and confused. Help me be still, Help me be quiet and listen, Help me not be overwhelmed by what must be done. Give me peace as I start anew. Help me rest assured in your presence, Help me say, “Yes, I can”, Help me trust you and myself. O God,Continue reading “Embracing Change”

Core

My core was compromised – a stomach hernia required repair. Every movement exercises the core and the operation made moving hurt. All movement was painful but prone was the most challenging. Three to five days of recuperation became three to five weeks of restriction. Indeed, it was unpleasant and the healing task daunting. The elasticContinue reading “Core”

Peacemaker

Blessed are the peacemaker for they will be called children of God[1] Peace does not deliver justice… to make peace involves everyone’s sacrifice for the common good. Pacificism deescalates, submits right action as good will, and thus, promotes freedom from strife. Communion asks all get along – simply dwell non-competitively as neighbors not adversaries. ReconciliationContinue reading “Peacemaker”

Merciful

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.[1] Above peace, empathy’s comfort, beyond justice, compassion’s heart, hence harmony’s restoration. Cooperation heals our wounds, our listening first, speaks volumes, and keeps judgment from directing. Forgiving includes forgetting – unfailing generosity fulfills unconditional love, Intrinsic to our covenant, relief precludes anxiety, concern excludes retribution. ThoseContinue reading “Merciful”

Pace

“When I walk, I walk slow. When I run, I run fast.”[1] There is a time to be watchful. There is a time to be enthused. There is a time to be measured. There is a time to be nimble. Walking is a time to relish the view – to be aware of surroundings, toContinue reading “Pace”

Meek

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. The kind and gentle will persist, continue to have compassion, they will always yield to neighbor and obey the union of wills. The kind of heart form endless bonds, the gentle of spirit promote symbiotic relationships benefitting all those involved. Meekness is not intuitive. ItContinue reading “Meek”