Author Archives: K H Richardson

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About K H Richardson

I am a long-time creative sort who by day is a communications strategist and in every free moment writes fiction or blogs!

A word from a founding father…

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John Hancock

April 15, 1775

“In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent Measure should be taken to ward off the impending Judgements….All confidence must be withheld from the Means we use; and reposed only on that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven, and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness–and all created Power Vanity;

“It is the Happiness of his Church that, when the Powers of Earth and Hell combine against it…that the Throne of Grace is of the easiest access–and its Appeal thither is graciously invited by the Father of Mercies, who has assured it, that when his Children ask Bread he will not give them a Stone….

“RESOLVED, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the good People of this Colony of all Denominations, that THURSDAY the Eleventh Day of May next be set apart as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer…to confess the sins…to implore the Forgiveness of all our Transgression…and a blessing on the Husbandry, Manufactures, and other lawful Employments of this People; and especially that the union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights (for hitherto we desire to thank Almighty GOD) may be preserved and confirmed….And that AMERICA may soon behold a gracious Interposition of Heaven.”
By Order of the [Massachusetts] Provincial
Congress, John Hancock, President.

Working is good, but in perspective and within a health balance of life — God, Family, Work.

KK

56 Nights with Hippies, Businessmen and the Bard

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ky shakespeareTonight was the opening night for the 54th season of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival.  The C. Douglas Ramey stage was set for a Midsummer’s Night Dream, but the atmosphere was a dream come true. Ten months ago Producing Artistic Director, Matt Wallace stepped in with a vision for a true festival and an expanded summer season.  Matt has been in the wings directing elsewhere, waiting for his opportunity to direct back home in the park.

The benches were filled with an eclectic audience. There were business men straight from the office with a loosened tie relaxing with a Brown-Forman cocktail and over at the picnic tables a beautiful young earthy girl and a boyfriend who had plenty of piercings. A group of students gather on the back row ready to fulfill their extra credit requirements. The Louisville Food Truck Association is the star with a hot dog truck and a truck with desserts; or perhaps you bring your own picnic.

The spirit of William Shakespeare no doubt danced in perfect step to the pre-show roaming musicians. With the audience transported back 400 years, the actors took the stage and completed the journey to the mischief-filled night in the forest with Puck and his friends.

To celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday there will be 55 more nights in Central Park through August 17th – A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Henry V, and Hamlet. The Globe Players (youth) will round out the festival with Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Come to the park this summer and see where you will end up.  Don’t think you can understand what’s going on?  Ah, this is the magic of the theater – you will understand the story if not all of the words.  Just go, and let your self be drawn into the action and expressions on the stage. You will leave the evening a changed person; possibly looking at love and life a little differently.

See you in the park,

KK

Climate Controlled

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So the other evening my husband walked in from work red-faced and sweating. It took me a minute to realize what was going on.  While his work is sometimes physical and outside, and had been away from any of that activity for about 20 minutes, his car has no air conditioning and it was close to 90 degrees outside. Then like a splash of cold water it hit me, my world is very climate controlled.Climate-controlled

If I get too cold, I make an adjustment to the thermostat.  If I get too warm, another adjustment is made; never too cold, never too hot. When I leave to go somewhere, I get in the hot car and turn on the air conditioner.  It’s like living in a season-neutral world – not too hot, not too cold, don’t get rained on etc.

I wouldn’t call us soft, but what would your first thought be if there is a power outage on a very hot evening? One guess would be, call a hotel! Can we not stand to be a little uncomfortable? Do we take the opportunity to have a little adventure and experience what the uncontrolled environment feels like?

Those of us who work in offices need to be intentional about getting outside, letting our bodies be a part of creation; feel the sunshine, let a rain drop or two land on your nose, get a little sweaty, freeze a little.

Your thoughts,

KK

P.S. – he’s getting his air conditioner fixed this month.

 

Spiritual Myth #3 – “God Loves You Unconditionally”

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This article will make you think.  From retired minister Bob Russell,

Spiritual Myth #3 – “God Loves You Unconditionally”.

Would love your thoughts.

KK

There is a Difference

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Recently I heard someone say there is a difference between being filled and being fulfilled. This was a statement I had to write down and think about.  Later that day I treated myself to some McDonald’s French fries. I don’t do this often, but I took my son to get his lunch and the waft of deep fried potatoes made only the way McDonald’s makes them, overtook my judgment as soon as I opened the door.

cokeThey came out piping hot; a golden delight to behold.  My fountain Coke bubbling wonderfully over ice with the straw at the ready. I chose the perfectly shaped fry and took that long awaited bite.  As I chewed up this fantasy favorite, I quickly noted that there was no salt on them. My craving and thoughts of sinking my teeth into the perfectly deep fried, lightly salted McDonald’s fries were shattered by the reality of what I was served.  It was if karma (if you believe in karma) swooped in with my doctor’s orders to watch my salt. I left the restaurant filled with carbs and completely unfulfilled otherwise.books1

In that moment I was seeking fulfillment from something very temporary.  Even if the salt had been correct, I would have still been hungry an hour later. Had I chosen more wisely, perhaps a something in the protein family, or even chosen an entirely different restaurant, my fulfillment would have been of higher quality and would have lasted longer.

In a similar fashion, each day we choose what we fill our minds, hearts and souls and body with. Are we choosing high quality information?  Are we looking for positive stories and information that grows us personally and professionally? Are we using our own judgment to determine what to believe and dwell on or are we just believing everything others tell us? Do we fill our minds with the junk food offered on television or in the media? Are we choosing that which is temporary or that which transcends earthly misperceptions of lasting peace and satisfaction?

TV setBy filling our hearts and minds with that which leads us to grow, learn and even change for the better, each day we become more of who we are meant to be. We will find ourselves more in tuned with that which produces longer lasting fulfillment.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

Share with me your thoughts on the matter.

All the best,

KK

Fear Not

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There are those who say that fear is a lack of faith.  Maybe.  Sometimes when we get a fearful feeling its an instinctive reaction to our surroundings.  This is good and we should try to follow that instinct with caution.  Living day-to-day with a fear-based mindset can hinder fearproductivity, personal achievement, rob our joy, and even relationships.

Making a decision to face a fear can be a decision of risk and reward.  When a child won’t jump into a pool into his parent’s arms, the fear of the unknown can keep him from the fun of the jump and playing in the water. So, ask the child, what is the worst thing that could happen? Most kids will say their head will go under or “I don’t know”. In that example, the risk is low (as long as the parent is paying attention) and the reward is high.

As we grow up our ability to decide risk/reward is often tainted by immaturity.  Things like going out the night before exams etc.

Adults sometimes fear change because of all they are responsible for.  The risk can be higher and the rewards can be measured on a variety of levels. However, whether facing the fear delivers the success or a failure, there is something to be learned.  There is an opportunity to re-think the direction and even the fearful behavior.

What are you most fearful of? Public speaking? Death? Failure?

Just something to think about?

KK

 

Summer V-A-C-A

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Every summer we go on a vacation of some kind. Some years we’ve gone with extended family and others it has just been us.  We drive on our vacation taking our time, seeing and doing what we want and enjoying each other.  We load the car with snacks and summer vacationthings to do on the drive and we take off.  While there is plenty of video game playing and movie watching, we also play those tried and true games of GHOST, count the cows, “I see something you don’t see” and “I’m going on a trip and I’m taking…” alphabet memory game. Oh, and not to forget the license plate game!

Our vacation plans unfold as soon as we have our baseball and marching band camp schedules.  We should have all of that this week, so where should we go?

Where are you going? Do you take “busy” active vacations or do you like to totally downshift and just escape and relax?

All the best,

KK

 

 

 

First Saturday

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It’s the first Saturday in May in Louisville, Kentucky.  There will be hats and screaming fans. The turf will be vibrant green and the dirt settled (at least until the stars of the day take the field).  The concession stand will have hot-off-the-grill hot dogs and cool beverages.  There will be thoroughbreds of the sport in the field.  And for some of those in the race, it will be all about the pitching from the stretch. Will the clock or the baseball equipmentdistance win?

I’m talking about baseball of course…make up games for rainouts today to finish the collegiate season. What were thinking, derby? What Kentucky derby? Just kidding, I love the derby and the festive environment it brings to our city.  This derby, its about baseball…

See you at the field,

KK

 

Everybody’s Busy

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Everybody’s busy – this seems to be the thing to say when an invitation is declined instead of saying “I’m sorry you can’t attend”. While it is easy to get caught up in all the opportunities life offers today; it’s also easy to waste a lot of time with cable tv, mobile device games, and other internet surfing.

busy peoplePeople are as busy as they want to be.  There are times when work and personal activities collide and a little hustle is required. The hours of the day are full.  This hustle doesn’t last forever.

Adults can take control of their time to fulfill their responsibilities such as work and family.  If life becomes too hassled and full, it may be time to re-evaluate the “time-suckers”.  Do they fall within personal priorities?

If someone declines your invitation, it may not mean they are too busy, it simply means that event is at the same time as something else that day.

Just a thought,

KK

It’s Friday, today is not where we find hope, Sunday’s coming

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Good Friday.  For the believer this represents the day our savior was brutally murdered; but he let it happen willingly.  No doubt his human side and his Godly side did battle all day. He could have stopped the scourging.  He could have destroyed those who thought they were destroying him.  But he didn’t.  As mean and painful as it got, he stuck to the plan.  The plan that he knew from the beginning of creation would come to this day, these hours of complete distress.  His Father had prepared him as much as possible.  Just as he tries to prepare us for the storms.  But we don’t listen always the way Jesus did.  In the midst of every human friend turning on him — the emotional pain; in the midst of being spit on and fists waved — the humiliation; in the midst of having is Father turning from him — the spiritual loneliness; our Jesus still fulfilled his purpose, he willingly gave up his life as the ultimate sacrifice. The world thought they won, but they didn’t remember, that Sunday was comin’…

Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByT6wfdhJs (Don Buck P Creacy)

Every time we find ourselves feeling lonely, betrayed, and hopeless, remember, Sunday is coming, again.

Blessings to you,

KK