Tag Archives: life

Something to write home about.

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What’s the most underrated life skill?

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Quite the conundrum.  

But then again, part of my composition is to take things deeper and make them wider than merited.  Perhaps just the way I have learned to process, learn and hopefully, eventually grow.  Lord knows I have spread plenty of manure around for the past six or so decades.  One would think that ample ground to blossom and bloom.  Sigh….

My initial impression was guided towards an aptitude of presence.  Being fully there in the moment.  Regardless of the calamity or the joy.  Then, add to that, a genuinely crucial and forever human component.  Enjoining in the twin sense of another. 

Empathy that feeds into compassion. 

Presence is what it says, not me.  Neither choosing to escape back into my past or get ahead of myself, determined to know precisely what will happen next.  As painful as it can be, in the grand scheme of things, my moments have not been perpetual.  Well, calamitous yes.  Joyful, no. That is, unless I choose to allow them to be.  

Back to today’s assignment.  

When I am locked into myself, nothing else exists.  Those with far heavier burdens, greater fears and joyous absentia (I think I just made that up, and Ai was really confused.) are in dire need of another, more than anything else. 

Another needs another just to be there to gain a sense of where they are.  That is, isolation – in all its degrees and variations –  is a truly painful and life draining existence. It seems to be rampant these days, though appearances may connive us to believe otherwise.  

When I am not into myself, I can sense those around me.  Gain a sense of where there are and how I might share in that state as well.  Actually feel it. Chances are, I have been where they have, even if only for a moment.  Just that simple, singular level of camaraderie might be that one life altering connection.  Where I feel what they are feeling, am where they are, and not know what to do next. 

That is where empathy feeds right into compassion and ultimately brings each of us closer.  

Once the guard is reduced, the heart can open. Honesty can be shared and trust begins to flow.  Nothing about this interation is transactional whatsoever. 

It is just because I was there and they were there.

Present.

And ultimately, we just needed to sense and feel each other right then.  

Presence opening empathy into the bloom of compassion.

Back to the assignment.

To rate something means I first need to know what I am rating. And not all of my skills are readily apparent, if even known. I am still growing. Maybe you feel the same way.

And life? I am still simply trying to live it to the best of my ability. I am not alone in this. This too connects me with all of you.

Nothing underrated about that.

Something to write home about.

Boxcars!

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Do you believe in karma?

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Hope today’s effort doesn’t result in snake eyes. 

My impression is that karma seems to possess a negative conotation.  A spanking as it were for something dishonest, egotistic, prideful or out of character done before, under the radar. Perhaps it wasn’t intended as such, but it sure seems that way to me. 

I think I am more attuned to coincidence.  A fellow by the name of Albert Einstein once positied,   “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

That is more in sync with where I am in life.

I am more aware of that level of His presence due to my enhanced level of being present. 

He just loves us.  

So, I am floored when out of the blue, I am put in contact with a direly needed new acquaintance, a never once considered opportunity presents itself, or a moment where I need to try and be something I have long avoided is suddenly right in front of me.  Literally just happened this morning. A connection that affirms all parties just happened to present itself.

Conversely, when I have tried to hide a dishonest thought, word or action, sure as feces, it confronts, mocks and stains me in the worst possible way.  Same with my overinflated ego and pride.  Multiple times, my balloon has developed a sorely needed slow leak and subsequent deflation, or has simply been popped.  And let me tell you, acting out of character is crapping out in the worst way. Provides ample opportunity for some serious discernment.

Whether good and bad, I see coincidence born out of love as an effort to persuade me to see who I truly am and what I am meant to be. Self absorption tends to obfuscate that perspective. But once I clear my noggin and stay put in the here and now, not directing but willingly receiving, I cannot describe the results.

Like this morning.

Maybe some see it as karma. Others, as I, coincidence.

I just feel it.

Know it.

His love either way.

Boxcars!

Not the other.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
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Despite my tendencies to be very structured in certain respects, I am also enthralled by spontaneity. Perhaps because of the structure, I have more opportunity. Honestly, never really thought about that until now. So there is one example.

The word spontaneous comes from the Latin word sponte, which means “of one’s free will”. Considering how we sometimes choose to use it, perhaps He is having second thoughts on that one gift in particular. Yikes. But as usual, I digress.

This morning, I watered the last of the grass seed I laid out for this season, a few days ago. Saw the spot when I got back from getting coffee for my bride. Just did it. All the dirt and all the seed are in the lawn now. Next up? More bulbs of some sort for next spring.

Wrote what I will call a daily reflection to myself. A way I happened upon to defray some of the irritation, angst and distraction that comes my way in the things I do. Used to try and name them, but a date works just fine. Oh, and somehow I came across this font that is really appealing to me for some reason. These old peepers can read it. “Comfortaa” is the one.

I figured out how I could renovate the console my brother left me. I have tried to get it fixed, but being from the 1960’s, there isn’t a whole lot of tinkerers or parts out there to bring it up to snuff. So? I found a source for some newer electronics that I will rig to fit into that beautiful piece of furniture. I will save the guts and see if someone with more experience than I wants it for their hobby.

I guess what it really comes down to, which may seem contradictory, is that structure creates avenues for spontaneity.

Because what needs to happen has, what I want to happen, can.

Sponte exercised in a good and affirming way.

Not the other.

“OK”

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If your pet could talk, what would be the first thing it says?

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So if this knucklehead could talk, she would prolly mimic the old man.  

And be of very few words.

She was an amazing being.  

Stayed by my side, never needed a leash even when amongst other mongrels.  Let me qualify that.

While taking a youngin’ on a walk, someone elses much larger dog made the mistake of lunging in an aggressive manner at us.  Several stitches and about $400 in vet bills later, that one with the tail now between the legs learned it unwise to mess with the Wonder Dog.  She was never gonna let anything harm her loved ones.  Ever.

If we were going to take her on a walk, we couldn’t say it or even spell it correctly before we got started. In conversation, it had to be referred to as “taking her on a w-l-a-k.” If she heard the car keys, she was sitting at the passenger door waiting.

There were some simple commands we used, albeit sparse. “Heel” on walks. “No”. “Sit”. “Stay” as the situation demanded. “Smile” sort of just happened when she curled the upper lip and bared her teeth. Wish I could find that picture.

But the one that guided all was simply, “OK”.

Like when we offered a Scooby Snack, she was told “OK” before she could take it.

When she could want to go with us? “OK”.

Ready to get into front seat? “OK”.

Sit on a picnic bench? “OK”.

Go on a w-l-a-k? “OK”

So if Babe could speak in something other than her native tongue – Labraspringielmutt – my guess is he would simply say, “OK”.

Babe, want a treat?

“OK”.

Babe, want to go ifor a ride, roll the windows down and turn the tunes up?

“OK”

Babe, want to chase that squirrel?

“OK”

Babe, you want to share a smile?

“OK”

Babe, want to go for a walk?

“Huh? ” (in that Scooby tone)

Sorry,

A w-l-a-k?

“OK”

Simply became tripe.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s the most annoying trope in books or movies?
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Huh.

I guess my lack of command of all things math has usurped control from my long standing knowledge of the English language. Al had to help me to understand today’s question. Based on that, what follows is certain to be nothing but tripe.

Not meant to be hype. But I digress….

What he offered was this:

“…a trope is a recognizable theme, plot structure, or character type that appears repeatedly across stories and genres.”

I love all sorts of movies. Need to work on my reading at this point in my life.

I am drawn towards flicks that are certain to give my eyes spasms from constant rolling, the B grade monster movies on Svengoolie every Saturday, and old stand bys like “Airplane”, “Naked Gun” and anything Python, Deadpool and the like.

But I also love the classics, and what made them so. The compelling story, characters and the actors that took the chance of a lifetime and made things happen. If I go to the theatre, it has to draw me.

Toy Story did not need to be made four more times. Batman should have stopped after Heath and Christian, but Tom and Christian were pretty good too.

LOTR needs to stop.

I cannot return to the galaxy far, far away after episodes 4, 5 and 6 came out in the 70’s. Enduring the Passion makes me want to see Him come back. I missed Hamnet on the big screen, so maybe on Prime. After that, I am sort of just lost.

I will say it like only a boomer can; “they just don’t make ’em like they used to.”

This all being said, and based on what Al told me was the gospel, the only annoying trope I am aware of is the ongoing monologue that passes for reality and life these days. Mono in that it never takes the form of a dia.

Via any manner of media, 24/7 and sadly, 365. I check a baseball or football score these days to see who is winning. Maybe the weather, so I can gird myself for that surprise. Then onto news to check the pulse.

But after that, nothing of substance truly exists.

Examplars ?

Role models?

Don’t make ’em like that any more.

Just influencers.

Content creators.

Huh.

Maybe that is me now, in answering these prompts.

Trope?

Simply became tripe.