The heart will take you places

By Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


Typically, the heart leads us and keeps us in various places throughout life.

Most of the time people marry because at that moment that's where their hearts have led them to be. For better or worse many people stay in marriages most of their lives because they have given their heart to their spouse.

We sometimes pursue careers because we have a heart for the vocation. There is something about the vocation that inspires and motivates us. Because our heart is in the work, we stay with the occupation. Success is more likely to occur where the heart is centered.

We become very competent with our hobbies because we love them so much. We enjoy musical instruments, baking, sewing, wood work, painting, fishing, sports and whatever your hobby might be. People are often ready to retire from their jobs because they have hobbies, they love more.


We love our freedom in America. Freedom to try. Freedom to fail. Freedom to try again.


The major emphasis of the greatest commandment is to love God with our hearts. Jesus knew no one would have any commitment to God without the full commitment of the heart.

The heart will take you places and keep you places where the mind would never consider. Too often what the mind will not consider the heart will not give up or waver from.

We often forget about the mind. Jesus told us to love God with our minds. Reason, commonsense, inquiry, thinking and education are all important. Sometimes the heart may cause us to be blind. We may love blindly. Stay with negative relationships that are destructive. Hang on to a job or career pursuit that ends up being negative, a dead end and a waste of time.

We have to involve our minds in our lives. Life cannot be lived merely by the heart. Heart will keep you someplace a long time. However, your mind will help you to decipher whether it's the right thing to do.

Americans are at the polls voting. Love for the country, ideas, political parties and candidates have Americans voting in masses.

While you may love the Democratic party or the Republican party or either candidate hopefully you are considering all the reasons why you are voting.

What do you want for America? Good paying jobs? More Government involvement in your life? The removal of guns from society? The freedom to have guns? Less police security? More police security?

More taxes? Less taxes? More jobs coming back to America? More jobs going back to China? Health care that pays for nothing? A better health care for every American? What about our freedom? Freedom of speech?

We love our freedom in America. Freedom to try. Freedom to fail. Freedom to try again. Freedom to succeed. Freedom to pursue owning a house, car and living an independent life. Maybe, you feel that every American should have the same, be the same and that the Government should take care of all us equally?

This election, think about it. Think about what you want for you and your grandchildren. Let your heart drive you to vote but put your mind into your voting.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of PhotoNews Media. We welcome comments and views from our readers.


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Photo of the Day - October 26, 2020


Dick Duval and SJO football advances to state title game

Next stop, Huskie Stadium

While players celebrate up and down the sideline, St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Dick Duval and his coaching staff - including now head coach Shawn Skinner, son Kiel Duval and Marshall Schacht - head midfield to shake the hands with the Greenville coaching staff after their Class 3A semifinal football game. The Spartans advanced to the division's title game after defeating the Comets 44-21 November 23 ,2013. Heading into the showdown with Stillman Valley, the high-powered SJO offense and hard-nosed defensive squad rolled forward with an eight-game wins streak behind them. Duval and the Spartans would go on to bring home the program's 5th state runner-up trophy after an epic, controversial battle and a heartbreaking 43-41 overtime loss to the Cardinals.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Third installment of holiday 5K held in St. Joseph goes virtual

While the Coronavirus pandemic has put the kibosh on a lot of events, it is not stopping Brenda Hixson from raising money for the St. Joseph Food Bank. The St. Joe Santa 5K will run on - online that is.

Proceeds from the race in past years was given to help support the local St. Joseph food bank pantry managed by the St. Joseph Methodist Church in partnership with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

The race was originally started as collaboration of efforts between Hixson and fellow runner Max Painter to host a local holiday race and raise money for local charities. The event this year will benefit the St. Joe Feed the Need program, which is managed by the First United Methodist Church through the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Feed the Need provides free food each month to anyone in the community.


Runners start out on the St. Joe Santa 5K course
Runners start their run during the Ho Ho Ho 5k, now called the St. Joe VIRTUAL Santa 5k Run/Walk Race, in 2018. As with thousands of established running events around the country, this year's race will be hosted virtually. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

A virtual race may not be ideal without spectators to cheer you on and fellow runners to push you to a better time, but there is one big advantage to running a virtual race in central Illinois.

This year's race directors point out the big draw to participating this year is that you can run when you want the whole month of December. "You can wait for a day when the weather is favorable!" which makes this option awesome so ensure you are not running on what could be the coldest day of the month.

The directors also hope runners will "get your family or group of friends together and have a fun run with photos along the way!"

The best part is racers will still receive the best holiday race swag of the season. This year's swag bag includes a Santa hat, Santa neck gaiter, a red long-sleeve Santa shirt and a race medal.

Runners can choose their route and take to the streets in their neighborhood, at their favorite park, or at any safe location of their choosing to run/walk/jog to start and finish their course during the month of December.

"You can chose to run anywhere!" said Hixson, who is once again one of the race directors. "Run in Mahomet; on a trail at Allerton or Meadowbrook; in Champaign; in St. Joe or wherever you chose. We want to see [runners in] every town in their Santa race swag all month long!"

She added: "Post your pictures!"

Race registration is now open online at St. Joe Santa 5K. Once registered, race swag can picked up in person or ordered via mail.

If you are interested in being a sponsor for the event and want to help support a wonderful program in the community, business owners or individuals are asked to contact the race directors at 5ksantarun@gmail.com.


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