The older I get, the more I realize how quickly life passes. Dr. Benjamin Mays in his poem "Life is just a minute," describes it as just a minute with only sixty seconds in it. It was forced upon you, you can't refuse it, you didn't seek, didn't choose it, but it is up to you to use it. You must suffer if you lose it; give an account if you abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it. Life is a gift from God that should be lived with purpose, passion, and maximum potential.

Openness is a key ingredient to life. It is the readiness and willingness to receive. It allows every person, situation, and circumstance to be our teacher. The way we receive information will be key in determining our growth and development. As we encounter situations and circumstances that do not line up with our expectation, we must keep an open mind. How we receive, respond, and process information will determine how open minded we are.

How do you define your romantic relationship? Webster's dictionary defines the word relationship as the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship or a romantic or passionate attachment. I like to define it as an emotional bridge between two people that is supported by trust, communication, security and mutual respect. This bridge is separate and distinct from the two individuals. Two good people do not necessary equate to a good relationship. Because the relationship is a separate creature in and of itself, some separate consideration must be given to it.

This year is a presidential election year for us here in the United States. As citizens of the most powerful country in the world, our election will have world wide effect. Our individual vote is even more powerful then ever. This year in north Minneapolis, we saw an election decided by less than 20 votes. The closer the election, the more powerful the individual choice becomes. Despite what you may have heard, your vote matters.