Charlois

Thursday, July 14th, 2022

For most of my life I’ve worked at being the best I could be at whatever I was doing.  After losing my churches in 2015 I was doing anything much.  Then, after about 3 years I had a total mental breakdown.  I have since recovered and now I realize, I don’t have to have a vocation to strive at being my best at.  I can work at being the best version of who I was created to be.

Since I came to that realization, I have been working on improving myself.  Reading programs, fitness programs, habit formation, and such.  It is tough going, and I come up short more often than not.  But I am making progress.

The website and blog are a big piece of my journey.  I have been the type of person that likes to see others succeed, especially when I can help.  And that is what these mediums are intended to do.  They are expanding my abilities and hopefully helping others on their journeys.

The things we have been doing so far are amateur attempts but we fully expect to get better over time.  Anything worthwhile takes time to perfect and so it is with this project.  I hope you visit often and make suggestions on how we can improve.  Until next time.

Here is to the journey.  May god bless it and us.

Robert A. Charlois III

Wednesday, July 13^th, 2022

I’m finally getting into a routine of posting every day, except Sunday, my rest day.  I’ve noticed that my posts are shorter than a typical blog post, but there will be more content as things progress.  We’re new to this so bear with us as we learn our way.

Until another time, peace be with you on your journey.

Robert A. Charlois III

Tuesday, July 12th, 2022

As I have been reflecting on my posts for the last few days, I see a pattern emerging.  The Charlois Philosophy is about becoming the best person we were created to be.  One of the best ways to do this is to mimic those that have already made it.

I take that advice seriously.  I currently have a support team of five people that are top notch examples of who I want to be.  On top of that I am studying the lives of Leonardo da Vinci and Thomas Jefferson.  Then there are my mentors that have passed to the eternal life; I consult them frequently.

All of that to say, find your models and follow their lead toward the abundant, eternal life.

 Here is to the journey.  May god bless it and us.

Robert A. Charlois III

Monday, July 11th, 2022

It has been said that we are the amalgam of the five people we spend the most time with.  In his book, How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci, author Michael Gelb puts forth the idea that if we want to be a certain way or possess certain skills, then we can select the models we learn from.

In the book, In His Steps, which we reviewed Friday, this concept is seen being fleshed out.  So to, in the Bible’s book of Acts, we see the early Church following the teachings of Jesus.  In fact, most of the worlds’ religions are following and learning from their founders and saints.

This is another one of our foundational points; to be the best we can be, we need to choose the best role models to choose from.  Whether it is a religious leader, political leader, or some other great person, we need to choose wisely.

Once we have chosen our models, the we must study them, spend time with them, and ask questions of them.  A good practice to follow would be to ask ourselves, when we are in a particular situation, what would _____ do in my place; hence the theme of In His Steps.

Choose wisely, spend quality time with them, and then ask, what would _____ do in this situation.  Here is to our growth, may we become the best we can be.

Peace and joy in the name of God.

Robert A. Charlois III

Saturday, July 9th, 2022

The book of Acts, in the New Testament, is the story of the early years of the church.  Starting in chapter 3, verse 41, it begins with the conversion of 3000, and then goes on through verse 47 telling how they lived.  As can be seen in verses 43-46, the church has changed considerably since those early days.

We of Charlois, believe that society needs to reclaim those early practices.  In those days, those who claimed to be followers of “The Way,” took care of one another.  “All who believed were together and had all things in common.”  Acts 2:44 NRSV.  As can be deducted from reading the bible, the righteous life is all about love, love in the self-sacrificing sense.

If we, as a species, would live this way, we would eliminate most of the problems we see in the world today.  Loving others as we love ourselves, the second greatest commandment next to love God, is the way our universe functions best.  Things in balance, having a symbiotic relationship, where the best is brought about in all of creation.

If the benefits of such a way are so positive, I have to wonder why it doesn’t happen naturally?  Could it be that we are wired to want only that which benefits us as individuals?  In the conservative evangelical church, they speak of original sin.  We were created with the power of choice and since the beginning we have been choosing to put ourselves first.  Call it our sin nature or in a more liberal sense, our self-preservation instinct.

Whatever one chooses to call it, people and religions are finding a better way is to come together and care for each other as any have need.  So, if you want to be the best person you can be then choose to view others equal to yourself.

A saying of Charlois is,

     If you treat others with dignity, honor, and respect,

     Esteeming them higher than yourself,

     They will go to their graves fighting to make you successful.

                                                    Robert A Charlois III

Reflect on these words and live in the love and power of God.

Peace to us all.

Pastor Yancy

Friday, July 8^th, 2022

In the late 1800’s, a Congregational minister by the name of Charles Sheldon disguised himself and walked the streets of Kansas City as an out of work printer.  He later produced a series of stories, based 0n his experiences, that he read at his Sunday evening church services.  Those stories were so popular that they were eventually published as the best-selling book, In His Steps.

This story is about a small town, Raymond, and one of its churches.  After an extraordinary occurrence at one of the Sunday morning services, the pastor, Rev. Henry Maxwell, challenges the members of his congregation to not do anything without first asking of themselves, what would Jesus do? then act accordingly, regardless of the outcome.

The book is broken down into two sections.  The first section tells how things unfold in Raymond itself.  This section has 20 chapters and covers one year, the length of the initial challenge.

Part two, which has 11 chapters, covers the story as it moves from Raymond to the city of Chicago.  It is here that it becomes more than just a fad in an out-of-the-way place.  And because of its popularity, it continues to spark movements to this day.

Although fictional, the characters and events in this story begin to take on a very real life that moves many people to make pledges of their own.  But don’t take my word for it; this is a book that is best experienced.  

Buy it, read it, live it, and may God bless.

Robert A. Charlois III

Thursday, July 7th, 2022

Spoke with my Pastor, friend, and mentor and was reminded, we are not on this journey alone, or at least we need not be.  By surrounding ourselves with quality companions increases the odds that we will be successful in our quest to find our best selves.  But we have to choose wisely.

I believe I have the best support team I could possibly have.  Five of the most amazing people I know, and that is just the living role models.  Add into the mix those that have passed.  Great’s from throughout history: Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and my former mentor, Howard Reynolds, to name the cream of the crop.

You too can surround yourself with positive role models.  By doing so you have access to support and encouragement; things we all need in these trying times.  The counsel they can provide in priceless.

Select your team, make your plan, and take that step into the future.  Abundance and eternity awaits.

Here is to the journey.  May god bless it and us.

Robert A. Charlois III

Wednesday, July 6^th, 2022

Is it Charlois or Charolais?  I’ve been getting this question rather frequently from my readers.  The simple answer is, it’s both.  Because of the powers that be, the Charlois spelling was not being accepted, for whatever reason.  However, the Charolais spelling was accepted, probably because that is the common spelling for the Charolais breed of cattle.  To set things straight, we are not cattle.

I was first introduced to Charolais Cattle in my pre-teen years.  My Dad worked on a dairy farm, and the owner bred his milk cows with Charolais bulls, to raise better beef calves.  I fell in love with the breed.  They were big and muscular, an attractive cream color, and gentle.

A few years later, when I was in 7^th grade, I did a special report on France.  One of the things I discovered while doing research was, Charolais cattle originated in an area of France called, Charlois, (French spelling).

This was also the year I began having Mental Health issues.  One of the things that happened was, I found an imaginary friend.  His name was Robert Alfred Charlois, after the Charlois region in France, where I imagined his family coming from.  The other parts of the name had different origins, but this is where Charlois came from, and it is still with me.

So, we use Charolais, because it’s recognized as a word on the web.  We use Charlois because that is my alter ego.  I hope this clarifies the issue.

Until another time, peace be with you on your journey.

Robert A. Charlois III

Tuesday, July 5th, 2022

The saga continues.  My journey toward becoming the best version of who I was created to be, quickens. For most of my life I bounced around, trying to be the person others thought I should be.  Then, on April 1^st, 2018, I had a total mental breakdown.  So began a new chapter in my life.  First, I had to stabilize.  After 7 months, and 6 psychiatric hospitalizations, I was placed in an Assisted Care facility, The Owingsville Manor, in Owingsville Kentucky.

For about a year I struggled.  I was making progress, but it was slow and I wanted to move back to Maysville, where I believed my future would be.  Then, in the summer of 2020 it happened.  I started work with a new therapist, began receiving housing assistance from the VA, and realized the easiest route to my preferred future could be where I was.

It is now two years later and I’ve come a long way.  It has been in these last two years that I have focused on self-examination.  I have asked the hard questions: who am I? what do I believe? And where am I headed?  By asking these questions, (which, we all can do), I have found, for the most part, that my life has been satisfactory.  That does not mean, (as I am discovering), that it is the way I want to finish my stay on this planet, and that is why I’m changing the way I approach my life.

Beginning at the first of the year I dedicated myself to having the best year of my life.  I set some goals, started working on projects, and made drastic changes in the way I was living.  Then, on July 1^st, of this year I rededicated myself to this goal, with some fine tuning.

I am happy to report that I have discovered that this is going to be a slow process, but I am up to the challenge.

Therefore, the lesson to be learned is; if other people can examine themselves and change into who they desire, so can I.  Believe in yourself and claim the abundant and eternal life.

Here is to the journey.  May god bless it and us.

Robert A. Charlois III

Monday, July 4th, 2022

There is a Taoist saying that goes, “There are many paths up the mountain, but the view is the same from the top.”  This is one of the sources of another one of our foundational beliefs.  In the Charlois Philosophy, there aren’t distinctions in traditions; all have value.  The key is for people to examine their own beliefs and adjust them to a tradition or traditions as is appropriate for each individually.

Many times, different traditions teach that their way is the only way, condemning all other traditions as false.  As I said in my Pastoral Reflection, there is God who created all that is.  In His universe there are many situations and cultures, each with its own experience.  These different examples develop their unique styles based on their individual experiences.

For us today, we need to look at our own lives and experiences and develop traditions that bring us closer to God and an abundant life.  What works for the majority may not work for us as individuals.

Yes, it is easy to go with the flow, but there is more life satisfaction when we examine ourselves and tailor our belief system to our own unique situation.  In fact, Christian scripture encourages us to do so.  The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 2:12, “…work out your own salvation…”  So, if one of the most revered leaders of the early church admonishes us to do so, well we believe we keep good company.

Examine yourselves, and come up with a plan that will help you become the best version of yourself that is possible.  And in that you will find an abundant and eternal life.

Peace and joy in the name of God.

Robert A. Charlois III