Author: Andrew Mooers

Two Bottles Of Narragansett Beer From Paul Drew’s Store.

Household alcohol did not have a role shaping my Maine farm childhood.

Not every Maine household was so lucky.
The Storm Of Alcohol In A Maine Home Is Not Pretty
You can find, see the scars, feel the deep hurt of black belt grade beer, wine, and hard stuff booze users.

Round the clock drinking was not the routine of the Maine home Dad and Mom raised their four boys in. Dad’s father, brother and one Aunt were alcoholics though. And we all know once your become a pickle, you can never go back to being a cucumber right? Even when you quit, the hard part is ahead in the day to day recovery. The family treatment for those around the alcoholic who become part of the sickness.

Dad spared our family the alcoholic destructive circle that suddenly descends on a happy home like the worst tornado, twister, lightning storm.

He was affected by what he witnessed though. The hollering, fighting, destructive drama with three family members testing positive for the alcoholism disease. But personally other than a trip to Paul Drew’s Houlton Maine store on the hottest day of the summer for two tall cold bottles of Narragansett beer, the four boys were spared the exposure to barley pop. Or harder spirits. Mom came from a family of no alcohol or nightmare substance abuse experiences.

Dad and Mom would sit in lawn chairs under a lilac tree around the 4th of July. Talking, cooling off in the shade together. Slowly nursing, sharing, enjoying one bottle of beer split between them. The twin to the pair picked up, brown bagged at Drews Store would sit lonely, neglected and ignored in the back of the refrigerator for months. I am not really sure when it would be taken on, bottle cap removed and consumed. On family picnics, reunions alcohol was missing too. It was not preached as evil or taught to be approached with moderation in consumption. It just wasn’t around.

Another time I saw alcohol would be at Christmas time.

Annually Everett Currie, an insurance salesman would drop in late in the afternoon around the Ho Ho holiday. And he and Dad would sample one whiskey and ginger ale each while catching up on world affairs. Events since a year ago’s visit. Then I can count on one hand the times that after church, at Sunday dinner on a holiday like Easter, a small glass of wine might be parked by my parents plate.

And that was it for alcohol useage by my parents. The household was not one of teetotalers. But alcohol was just missing. Only showed up, made a small cameo appearance a few times annually. I remember dark alcohol related stories though of when Mom and Dad lived at One Watson Avenue in Houlton Maine.

A very drunk, belligerent Aunt Beatrice would call and ask Dad to “get her a jug”.

Evidently there was a time woman could not go in to a liquor store and buy booze. And since Aunt Bea was my parent’s landlord, she would threaten to kick the entire famly out, have them evicted if the bottle was not bought, brought produced at once.

Another story that troubled my Dad deeply was getting a call from my Aunt Marie. “John, your brother Bud is harrassing us, won’t leave and can you come right down to intervene?” Upon arrival at the apartment where my eight cousins grew up and I remember trick or treating from as a base, Dad confronts a very surly, bad tempered, slobbering brother Bud. Dad told Uncle Bud you been asked to leave so go. Go now. Or a call to the cops will happen. Like a hungry growling dog with fear of loosing a hard earned juicy steak, Uncle Bud lunged, charged at my Dad.

Described with tears in his eyes years later Dad lamented having to hit his brother, knock him down to get him to go.

To leave Aunt Marie alone. The final blow that subdued the highly inebriated sibling caused Uncle Bud on the floor to look up. Grin and remark Dad’s jab reminded him a being kicked by a farm work horse. As he was picked up, supported and escorted from Aunt Marie’s kitchen just as a police cruiser rolled in to the yard.

Life is one big pond and we are the fish swimming in it.

And right on schedule ripples churn the once bottle glass like water surface. Pressures on families besides alcohol abuse strain, cause eddys in those once calm waters filled with schools of fish. Relationships where love is the most important thing in life can be threatened. Besides alcohol, busyness is a great enemy of loving relationships.

Time spent hustling jobs to pay the bills, carting kids to overbooked school and sporting activities all can threaten relationships. So can alcoholism, infidelity, and “none of this is my fault” apathy. I saw my parents struggle through difficult farm years, the damage and pain of alcoholism in Dad’s family. But fire water destruction was missing. As they developed a greater love. A deeper, not just on the surface, superficial connection between them obvious to the four boys who basked in the household sunshine. Conflict resolution is an important skill to staying together and to demonstrate what a loving relationship looks like to your children.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

March 9, 2012
Sometimes Words Are Not Needed In A Me In Maine Blog Post.

It takes logging a few years of life on the revolving blue and green marble to come to realize you need a special spot to run away to in Maine.

To recharge, renew, and enjoy yourself. Have some fun. Once the kids leave the nest, are up and out. Done with college and it’s just you the guy in the big empty house, options open up. It’s time to explore. Develop new hobbies to fill the void. Now you have the time. Make some healthy outdoor choices. The backdrop is everything.

You Are Now In Maine, Early Morning On A Lake Video.

Oh Maine Lighthouses Are Fun To Explore, Listening To The Waves, Surf Video

Or Down Hill Skiing Across The Border Of Maine At Crabbe Mountain New Brunswick Canada Video

I know a talented Maine real estate broker that can get you that Maine waterfront property. Or anything else Maine real estate related from farms, land, homes or business listings.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

March 8, 2012
My Dad Believed In God But Mom Was The Spiritual Leader.

Growing up on a Maine potato farm, my parents both raised the four boys to be God fearing. Respect for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Grateful For All We Had, Were Blessed With. My Mom Taught Her Four Boys That.
Being out in nature, working the land on a Maine family farm you can not help but gain a greater sense of a higher power. Something way way bigger than yourself. Just crank your head around at the beauty, scenery and wide open space that no man created. That you and I only are here on Earth a short time to enjoy.

My Mom was from a Hodgdon Maine farm family of nine kids.

I never knew her mother, my grandmother but heard from all sources what a blessing, joy she was to her family, anyone that met here. My Dad especially I remember remarking a lot while I grew up what a sweetheart she was. So knowing apples don’t fall far from the tree, my Mom had the same potential to be as remarkable, kind, loving, considerate.

Being simply born a good person, full of joy and kind respect is not a given, does not just happen though.

Other people may judge you as simply good. Or harshly bad with a like it or lump it attitude for your life here on out. Don’t listen to those people, they don’t define you, God does. You have a hand in working hard to improve, maintain and be a better person. My mom’s early teachings and ones of a kind lady with two girls both have helped me do that. Work hard to be a better person. And to get more out of life opening my eyes, removing worthless heavy baggage that only serves to drag you down.

Because of the world we live in, due to your and my need for God’s loving, guiding hand all along the way, we need to get on our knees. Wear the carpet thread bare under them. Check in with God daily. My Mom did that. After breakfast, coffee with my Dad on the farm home’s side sun porch or out in a lawn chair under a lilac, Mom got ready for the day. Getting dressed spiritually and materially. I watched it growing up.

In my parents bedroom there was an arm chair like your would see in a living room or den.

It was next to an east facing window with a bible, lesson plan in that chair. Where Mom would close her bedroom door and read scripture. Makes notes, highlighting text, praying, talking, sharing with God. Everyday she would like clockwork spend an hour devoting the time exclusively to working on her inside, her best prettiest feature.

She would ask for understanding with any thing troubling her. She would take her joys, blessings to the Lord and give thanks. And recite prayers for continued healing for this, this and that person. Checking in with the person hurting and needing to know someone cared, prayed to God about it. Mom’s Mom had the same dedication. Growing up I always heard hymns, a carry over of her being the Hodgdon Methodist Church pianist / organist for Sunday services. My wife performs with the same skills, dedication at home on piano and in church.

“Gratitude is riches” was by far my Mom’s biggest advise to any that knew her. Poverty is complaint. No matter how tough a Maine farm year was, or daily events wore on her, she would joyfully proclaim gratitude for everything in here life. See the good. Three times a day I count my blessings, list out loud morning, noon and night what I am grateful for because of Mom’s example. When you do, you look at the bigger picture and realize overall you and I have way way more than we deserve because of no real effort on our part. That is given to us. We work on the small stuff really in comparison.

Your happiness, love and respect starts, is generated from within.

Other people can try their dardest to make your happy. That is a big job for that person. The folks that are hard to live with, are not as grateful as they should be and you can see it on their face, the sadness or scowl. Reach out to help that person.

You never stretch or grow to share and build a loving relationship with others if you expect everyone you bump in to to be a clone, an identical twin. A differing opinion or outlook is healthy and makes you examine your own. Or can negatively trigger an emotional response that you need to examine. Your reaction where you feel threatened or not able to accept a statement that is contrary to your interpretation of the issue, topic at hand needs reflection.

God is love.

I remember reading that over and over on the wall in front of the church. Sitting with my mother, counting the words. And thinking just those three little words sum it up. Say it all. I was raised with a faith that sustains me. I felt loved. I have a strong capacity, a need to give and get love. And one by one depending on the struggle or joy situation that presents itself, I know I am never alone. And where to reach, search for help or give credit for everything going on in my life. I am grateful and that helps me make sense of it all. I wait upon the Lord for instruction, for guidance and direction.

The mother of our four children shared with me she learned early on to build high mental walls of stone around her. Surrounded by a barrier that she could barely peek up over. To protect and shield her from harm. And to keep people at a safe distance. She also told me, pardon my French, that she liked being perceived as a bitch to give the appearance “don’t mess with me”. I told her that is a lonely, solitaire exile existence. She envied my faith in God, professed not to have it and the ability to just hand everything over. To give the power and control in my life to him was something she could not do because she was not built that way. Needed to be in control.

Like my Mom, I was the spiritual leader raising the kids. Teaching Sunday school, quoting all the same scripture verses Mom incorporated in her life. Saying prayers with all four after tub time, stories and lights out so the sandman could arrive. That was my job. Lately I have thought of another of Mom’s bible verses. To lean on, hang on and not give up the faith with. That she had written out with perfect penmanship for me to stick on my refrigerator as a daily reminder.

Mom’s ultimate testimony for her undying love of the Lord happened with my two of my three brothers, wife Lisa the nurse all circled around her.

Standing around her sitting up in bed at Bangor’s Eastern Maine Hospital. The sun shining in on her with a view of the Penobscot River behind it. The Doctor coming in, announcing stage four cancer results meant a decision to start chemo today was needed. Just as serenely, with no fear or anxiety, I watched her smile. Her pretty hands always with lady like painted nails folded, wearing her Aunt Emma’s fiery opal ring with diamonds surrounding it glistening in the natural light. She looked at all four of us in the room calmly. Announcing she was leaving it up to the Lord. Trusting in her unwavering faith in God and not electing to have any further treatments.

It was time for her to be with my Dad, her husband of over 60 years that she loved with all her heart and soul. And never complained about it but must of be terrible lonely and missed so much over the last few years.

Her courage, application of faith when you need it the most demonstrated to her four boys, helped us with acceptance of her death shortly after that. Peace, faith, love and understanding. I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife a nurse who was my rock, the family cornerstone at the ends of both my parents lives. Those events make my love for her deeper, richer. And today it causes tears typing this blog post. The love growing daily because of that and many other unselfish act of kindness she extended. She misses my parents too but we were taught all the same. Not to fear death. Accept it as part of life.

I’m Maine REALTOR, Andrew Mooers

March 8, 2012
Life’s Bumper Car Experience, Who In Audience Is On The Ride With ME?

When you are a new born child, brought in to a warm healthy loving Maine home, the world revolves around that precious package wrapped in baby sized pink or blue blankets.

People you meet in public toting your bundle of joy for all to see start to coo. Their voice raised an octave or two. Strange, exotic new ways of talking happen as they crowd around for a peek, look see.

Suddenly a shift to new alphabet of letters introduced to create special unique forms of speech. Communication in shorthand, morse code, index glowing finger up ET fashion. Kids and small new born animals have that effect on people.

Pure, new, smelling like A and D, Desitin ointments and products made by Johnson and Johnson. Near and dear words in your life like “woosie” (small horse) and expressions they use become yours like “last time” said in a small toddlers vocabulary tone. Speech patterns that anyone outside your circle raises an eyebrow and wonders what in the world you are talking about. And what’s so funny or going on? Its all about kids when you are lucky enough to have any. It’s hooskerdo fireworks excitement, wonderment. Kicking Wing had the right idea. Did not give up.

In my life I have been blessed with four children of my own and the opportunity to blend in two more bright, sharp, articulate children.

As a kid I knew I wanted to be a parent, to have children of my own to raise, instruct, enjoy. To prepare them for the wild bumper car “thrill a minute” experience ahead of them at the amusement park with the neon sign glaring harshly over the entrance to the ride called “Life”.

There are many twists and turns, sudden grind to a stop bumps on this life ride. Coming at you from all directions. So keep your hands and arms inside the car compartment at all times. We are in this round and round circular journey together. Maybe alone inside our car but at least not unprotected. Sitting.. it gliding on the steel mixed with iron floor.The sparks sputtering overhead from the electrified wire grid that is the source of all our power. Until it stops. And you are asked to exit from the opposite side of where you came in. Don’t get out, stay in the car.

Theologians can argue if that swaddling clothed baby mentioned above is brought in to the world pure as the white driven snow.

Or born in to sin marked with imperfection because we are mere mortals. Beginners of wet, goopy balls of clay on a potters wheel ready for shaping, forming, detailing. To become useful pitchers, vessels, cups that runneth over. Able to retain fluid, filled with joy, kindness, peace, and most important of all love and respect. For something outside of ourselves.

It is not about you, it is about others. Our successes are not just ours alone. Because more than one bumper car on that ride. We are not, or should not be alone. Needing constant improvement and to be humble, grateful and never comfortable. As we strive to learn more about the bigger picture, the quality of life that involves others. I am glad I live in Maine where the number of “others” around me is much smaller.

In a small Maine town, we need each other and are tighter knit, caring than being raised in a big populated state.

We are connected growing up together that a new out of state person coming in to it missed. Especially if from a large urban area. Not the same bumper car ride. We picked potatoes as kids for our winter jacket. We attended church, heck I took organ lessons at one with Greta White, my childhood piano teacher.

You are much more aware of others in a small Maine town. I remember as a single full time Dad being at a spring parks and rec soccer game with the kids all around seven years old. And seeing a lady on the aluminum bleachers, head on one hand supported by her knee, held low. Watching her daughter hustle hard but looking so sad, very tired, unhappy. You don’t know what folks have been through if you are wrapped up in your own problems. I knew the mother only because her sister had married a first cousin that I later sold a house for as they moved to the Bangor area. I thought I need to reach out, lend a sympathetic ear.

My heart hurt from just that look, visible pain as our kids chased the soccer ball around the Just For Kids playing field with mouth guards and shin guards in place.

I wanted to shield this lady that I did not know from any more pain or suffering. Much much later, I ended up marrying this “County girl” who too picked potatoes, understood well the simple living in Aroostook. Had munched the same Sadie’s Bakery donuts, enjoyed the same flavor HFD ice cream sundaes. And then I made a terrible mess, botched up the blending of her two with my four kids.

Room for improvement, how many in the room in this class, raise your hands for a head count. Oohh, big class. High divorce rates happen for many reasons because of the overbooked, pace of life we lead. But also because if the person we are with and you quarrel, there is a thinking a new and improved mate is what’s needed. Will fix the ills that leave from one marriage and follow you in to the second and more if you don’t just sit in that shielded, protective bumper car. Slumped low in the seat, taking a deep breath. Then pondering, considering what is going on here. What’s my mission and how do I help or hurt the process? Taking ownership for my role in the good, bad and the ugly. You need that other person.

Happiness is an inside job of being grateful and not having others define you as having very few redeeming qualities.

You and I have lots of goodness, well intentioned “hearts in the right place” purpose. The secret is when you meet someone willing to share all their baggage they carry and add to along the way, is to realize change happens with you and me, not the other person when life’s rough spots happen. Those set backs are not time to get off the ride and head for the exit. To repeat the same mistake of running, hiding and looking for another to fix the stuck in the groove skipping music cause by the diamond tip riding on vinyl.

There is a time to grow up, admit you and I are a big part of the problem. It adds to the confusion if other well intention family members have their spin on what you should do. And march in to your home, finger pointing, wagging and say do this, do that right now. Driving your own bumper car has to happen. Because it is your life and divorce just adds extra layers to the make it foggy, confusing to maneuver and see the right path to take today.

I think listening to God’s whisper that becomes a shout if you ignore him is the start for peace, contentment and patience that our drive through society struggles with.

Then the mate you chose that you can trade hearts with and protect needs to be listened to, loud and clear. The communication of what’s wrong when silence happens and they retreat or shut down needs to be opened. Rather than hurt defensive hiding, opening up and trusting that what they need to say is what the other needs to be more sensitive to, for understanding the what is going on. Not shutting down, getting hurt, defensive, bitter or harboring deep resentment. The looking for a brand new blank etch o sketch that starts out clean, new and different. Don’t skip out, dig deep and stay put.

I get on my knees, need to stay there and ask for help in becoming better, for understanding.

And knowing I have something good in me that someone else sees, needs. We all need cheerleaders to uncover and bag balm our insecurities. As we lick our life wounds. And that lovingly will help with the clay forming defining me process on that potter’s wheel. To have a hand I trust, believe in as part of the low RPM shaping wheel turns, spins. Then I in turn am called on, needed to do the same with a mate as we grow, learn, explore our purpose in life together.

In small Maine towns, the whole village has a hand in that refinement process. The polishing of rough edges we all carry. To repair the cracks, accept the blemishes. But sometimes smack dab in the middle of trying to juggle it all, the important keys points are missed. Your hurt and feeling sorry for yourself selfishness kept you from realizing what you need to do too late for the person you should be living your life with.The one that God brought, provided for a supernatural love answer to your prayers. Delivered to you, entrusted as the precious one to share, learn and care together.

Side by side in one bumper car, not apart in two alone in the dark.

I’m no angel. But let me start a fire with the spark in our hearts. And keep it from going out. I don’t know all the words, but Momma told me as I sat beside her as her young son that some day I’d realize that “I’m a simple man“. Some day is here. A simple man, that’s the kind, all I am.

Maine, the place to come to figure it out because less people, more wide open space to think, ponder, and improve happens every day in Vacationland.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

March 7, 2012
Maine, Find Peace, Patience And Understanding Here.

Peace is a calmness in your heart, your soul, your life.

The Sizzle Of The Steak, Enjoy Life More In Maine.
And like scales perfectly balanced, our own personal habits of moderation to maintain that peace require effort. Situations arrive right on schedule in our lives that can challenge as the Eagle’s rock band crooned your inner “peaceful, easy feeling.”

Maine offers the peaceful backdrop setting to arrive at peace in your day to day.

Because Vacationland is not over crowded. Too many people jammed in a small space causes big problems. Pressures, added stresses from the pushing and shoving to achieve your own special place in the sun. Everyone needs space to create peace. Maine has that wide open, four season elbow room plus 2500 lakes to add magic to the foundation for that peace to happen.

The more trees and wildlife than people natural surroundings in Maine are real, pure, natural. And this is the healthy place you need to be in to recharge, revive, renew your inner spirit of peace. To relax next to a Maine lake in a deck chair on a long dock or paddle a kayak slowly around it gives you perspective. You can think because there are not a million people rushing, dashing, anxious for this or that to happen. With chop chop drive through, speed of thought quickness expectation.

Living in Maine full time and not just lucky to get a week’s vacation of her each year if everything goes as planned out of state can spoil you.

No need to drive hours and hours to get here. Natives tap in to outdoors all four seasons. To gaze out over the expanse of rolling farm fields, pastures studded with different color horses, cows, small animals. To be hill top in hiking boots or with snow skis strapped on provides you with a commanding view, vista of your surroundings. This is the training grounds for understanding life. Yourself and other people in it.

Being able to detach, let go, trust in the creator of this wonderous beauty radiates from the drop dead gorgeous Maine landscape. Removing the anxious pit of your stomach fears, doubts, feelings that something has been missing in your life. And it becomes crystal clear what needs rearranging. Given more or less priority to achieve peace.

To gain understanding on how to lead you day to day. To check in and take inventory of the balance of your life. Where that peaceful state radiates from if you cherish it, preserve it. This peace, understanding helps trigger a stop to worrying. You know the head spinning, waking up from a restless night of sleeping and the tossing, turning kind. Thinking about something over and over again but not resolving the situation. Or mixed with a pinch of self doubt, guilt seasoning. Keeping you uptight, anxious, wandering around lost and not arriving at a solution to your problems.

The cherry on top of Maine being the place to find balance in your life that leads to peace, greater patience and understanding is you can own a piece of it very cheaply.

You also don’t need a large property either. One acre of Maine land is plenty to park, camp out on and then venture forth to explore, discover all the Pine tree state offers.

Slow Down, Don’t Worry So Much, Spend More Time In Maine Video

And the people that live here are the down to earth kind. Anxious to help, considerate of others and respectful. Getting high marks in the family and work ethic test scores. There is a sense of community, a connection of caring and sharing when you are lucky enough to live in Maine. The small town bean suppers, pronouced “sup-PAHS” in Downeast Maine, provide plenty of social interaction.

So does cheering on, encouraging little league players racing around the ball diamond as sunset approaches on a Maine summer evening.

Gathering at the local ice cream dairy bar win or lose as a team to celebrate. Maybe lick their wounds. Or being at Church to celebrate a baptism, wedding, or offer condolences in time of need at a funeral.

Maine living is simple, the people are not. Money does not fund the most valuable things in our life. Relationships with others that are healthy, two way make us blessed to live up here in the upper right hand corner of the state. Where with eleven people per square mile, you can live day to day maintaining your peace, developing patience and gaining a wealth of understanding.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

March 6, 2012
Gratitude, Forgiveness, Easy To Have Both In Maine.

Maine is not overcrowded with wall to wall population.

The Day Ends The Way Your Thoughts Allow| Enjoy More Maine Sunsets.
We are a people not simple minded but trying to live a simple uncomplicated existence. In Southern portions of Vacationland, the area density is 44 people per mile. In Northern Maine where I hail from, that same square 208′ by 208′ of land has an eleven souls populating it on average.

Outdoor natural four season events means filling your lungs with fresh air. A serious work out through your legs, hands, core with work on the farm, in the woods. Or just when having fun with a variety of no or low cost recreational options. So how does this tie in to the Me In Maine blog post title? The one that got you in here, looking for insight? Lots.

We love to know we are not alone.

It is a basic tenement of relationships. Lonely is a soul without a mate. And in Maine, with just a tad over a million people in the entire Pine Tree state, we need each other more. Reaching out, learning how to appreciate others. And working hard inside to offer forgiveness when rubbed the wrong way. Being grateful for the unspoiled drop dead gorgeous surroundings that we enjoy year round. Not just one week a year with a trip to Vacationland for a lobster, munching on fresh blueberry pie. To see a Maine moose, lighthouse or whale. To hike Mt Katahdin or Cadillac Mountain.

When you are happy, which is an inside job, starting with you, it makes less stress on whatever is happening outside, in your surroundings.

If where you live is less populated, lacking crime, traffic, noise, hub bub or high costs to live there, score one for the happiness platform to build on. As you count your blessings morning, noon and night. My Mom taught me loud and clear that “gratitude is riches”. And all about rolling up your sleeves to combat “stinking thinking”.

It is easy to build up, hold resentment for others that make mistakes. Or that are just being a work in progress that you stumble in to, or over. Who we need forgiveness extended back and forth to grow, mature. Because we screw up the same way in reverse. Anyone that does not think they do, and is waiting for the rest of the heathens to catch up needs to be humbled. And will be. Often until they learn, accept that their lofty ideals they hold others’ “feet to the fire” to apply to them too. God leads people into our lives. One forgives to the degree that one loves is to be remembered on a daily, hourly, minute by minute basis.

Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, and the waste of spirit I was taught growing up.

I know the concept but it does not mean I will have the skills to do it on a regular basis with flawless proficiency. Because I am far from and never will be perfect. In anyone’s eyes, including my own. But acceptance of your inventory of where you need work, blended with where you do shine and have life merit badges to prove it means day to day dedication.

Your expectations that the other person apologize or change taints the forgiveness process severely. It is a band aid on a gunshot would. Fooling yourself merry go round exercise. Stripping away self importance, filling up with a healthy dose of humility happens when you accept the people and situations that bother you the most. In its own way and time, life feeds back the truth so your perspective can change if you stay flexible. Open minded. Which all ties in to another of my Mom’s teachings, scripture quote reached for often, leaned on heavily. “Know the truth and it shall set you free”. Travel lighter. Lighten your load.

It is far cheaper to pardon than resent.

And forgiveness, fully extended to others because until you do it holds you a deep dark prison captive. Handcuffed to the person, situation, event with shackles of sharp barbed wire that cut like black shards of jagged, uneven glass. Anger, pain, hurt rob your energy. Can keep you from true love, peace and understanding. Drop it, don’t hold on to it.

Forgetfullness is a dear friend, close companion of forgiveness too. Or should be. Because to say you forgive without forgetting means you have not forgiven. We all have hurts, what I call purple spots on our hearts from life’s sudden shifts, setbacks, reversals. But you don’t sort through, remove or understand the why without a close friend, a lover, a mate who helps define you. And you them. It’s a journey meant to be on holding hands.

Maine, you can learn so much about yourself, life climbing, hiking up one of our mountains. Looking out over from the top to enjoy the view and gain perspective of the bigger picture. And then skiing down the other side of that hill top to begin again. Only to return for the natural healing Maine’s unspoiled, wide open setting can provide like no other spot on Earth.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

March 5, 2012