Normal = living for the approval of others, flimsy marriage ties, absent fatherhood depth, no real friends, living for the weekend while working a job you hate, spiritual ambivalence and cynicism peppering every thought about a better life. Normal is a dreamless and passive state of resignation. It is death posing as life.
I love God. I love people. My wife is amazing. My kids keep me on my toes. I work with refugees. I have a labradoodle named Bob Marley. I run.
This blog started a vault for a book I am working on. In fact, for the past 10 years my new years resolution has been to finish the book –this year. “I will finish my book this year”, I say around midnight, and my daughters giggle, roll their eyes, and say, “yeah right dad!” My wife looks down and wonders “Why don’t you resolve something new this year.” My friends just pat me on the back for trying (thinking the same thing as my daughters.) Bob Marley believes in me. He spurs me on.
This blog, with ebbs and flows, has become a stream of reflections on spirituality, compassion, and Burma. (Yes, I know they changed the name. But “they” did it without consulting the people of Burma and “they” are nasty dictators who rape and kill and pillage with old school audacity. So with many of the pro-democracy folk from the beautiful land, I still call it Burma.) With all of my content, I’m trying to embody the ‘normal is over’ view of things.
Additionally, I am the CEO of Partners Relief & Development, and aid organization dedicated to bringing free full lives to the children of Burma. What is personal and what is public or work related is a huge blur for me, so I can’t resist posting thoughts and stories about my work as part of this narrative.
If you are dedicated to a life of learning, if you wish for the finer things that are priceless yet can’t be purchased, and if you are curious to explore how spirituality looks in human form, then this blog is for you.
You don’t want to be Normal. I promise.
Dear Steve,
I want to help out in Myanmar. Will be arriving Yangon next week to manage telecom quality and safety.
Hey Eduard, where will you be living? Our work is in the ethnic states along the borders of the country.
Hi Steve, I met you in Mae Sot while leading a team that was inolved in running English camps in the Ne Po Refugee Camp. Inspired by the work of Partners and would love to have the chance to make further contact.
Garth (From Sunshine Coast of Australia)
Garth, please send us a mail at getinvolved@partnersworld.org and we can start a conversation about further contact. Thanks for your comment!
These are the words you spoke of nearly 23 years ago on our trip with your baby brothers up the Alkan Highway by bus, from Drumond Montana!! I remember that you said that you were going to write about your life and that I may be surprised to read it. No surprise keep it coming and don’t be shy to tell your truth about your family.Seems you boys have a better recollection than I do of events that I now think are astoundingly wierd. But I must admit that as a 18 year old mom we kind of raised each other. I miss having you near to us.
I love you mom. You are awesome.
Years keep flying by. All my beautiful sons are gifts from God. I’m so proud of the love you all desire to spread. Each of my sons are so very different but each of them are so caring and loving to others. I am a very blessed Mother. You being the eldest, HAVE GIVEN ME SUCH A DESIRE TO ALWAYS CLING TO GOD. I LOVE YOU AND PRAY ALL THE TIME THAT THE WORK GOD HAS LED YOU AND ODDNY IN IS ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT IS CATCHING TO OTHERS.