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Not even close.

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Daily writing prompt
Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
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Not even close.

I don’t tend to look ahead and envision what the future will be compared to the now. I am one that tries to stay where I am and find paths leading to growth, improvement and reconciliation, so as to make myself ready as I go. That being said, the “to do” or “bucket list” doesn’t truly exist. I merely remain open to he flow.

As such, the flow a year ago was in actuality somewhat of a rip current. I thought I knew where I was in relation to the shore, but in reality, I was being pulled farther from a great many things I held dear. Being caught in a real one years ago, it is truly an unsettling experience, where attempts at controlling the situation may only add to your demise.

My understanding now is that you need to calmly work your way parallel to the shore. Not directly in, but a long the beach until you break free of it, then angle in to dry land. Attempting to overcome the strength of its pull directly will sap your strength, produce panic and eventually claim you.

But not if you can surrender and go with the flow.

I ended up father down from where I began, a blessing. So I chose to find another avenue out instead of going back to where it all started. That way only led me to capture, isolation and an eventual end. So while I did not picture where I ended up, letting go and allowing some of that current to pull me away from where I began made today possible.

Could I have ever imagined where I would be?

Not even close.

But it is, the best way out.

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Daily writing prompt
What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
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The skills, if you want to call them that, are off shoots of some of the lessons I have had to learn of late. Nothing resume worthy if that falls into the parameters of this prompt. But life worthy.

There is so much to be gained in letting go and letting things happen. Assuming otherwise doesn’t lend itself to good judgement, a proper sense of self, and a healthy rhythm of being. Control and ego tend to take one to the other end of the spectrum. You may think you have it going, but things say otherwise.

An all encompassing serenity and state of peace is found in the act of letting it be. Though the next sixty minutes may seem a little renegade and challenging, oddly enough, things commence to return equilibrium at minute sixtry-three or four. Bigger “obstacles”? Maybe not resolved in minute sixty-seven or eight, but already in process of working themselves out.

Looking at life lessons in this manner, hones the skills of patience, perservance and faith.

Like Mr. Frost once said, “the best way out is always through.” He didn’t stipulate a required pace or time limit. Just a departure and intended arrival. Finding out what is on the other side. Suggests embracing a bit of the unknown, employing unyielding trust and true discovery if you ask me.

Might be out of our hands.

But it is, the best way out.

A gift that keeps on giving.

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This can be a challenging season for many. Though it is intended to be a celebration of anticipation, affirmation and arrival, ones focus might happen to remain fixed on regrets, sorrow and loneliness.

A desperately needed gift for some may be well within one’s reach. Something that cannot be left at the front door or scanned into some account. It can be returned, but not as you would expect. And yet, it is celebratory in form. Given through presence.

“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”
― John Joseph Powell

It could occur in passing in a store, in a line at the counter. A party with neighbors or coworkers to enjoin in the festivities of the season. A chance meeting of an old friend in a parking lot or local coffee shop. Those that are forlornly seeking a mere glimpse of their inherent beauty and worth, can come to find it in your face, expression and genuine warmth you exude.

A mirror has no sense of itself other than what it sees. And as we are not things, we do have a sense of ourselves in some measure. But being a mirror is not about how you feel. It is about reflecting another’s compassion and truth. Their worth and love. Entities that can somehow become hidden by self created and imposed filters. Shame. Rejection.

Your presence in those instances reveals to them images that cannot hide from reality. Things about themselves they need to witness.

So in anticipte and celebrate their arrival into your life, if but for only a moment. Affirm their true worth and singular beauty as a fellow human. Trumpet the good they will come to know in the time to come.

Reflecting what you truly see in them, brings out the best in you.

And they will then yearn to do the same for another.

A gift that keeps on giving.

But mostly for others.

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Daily writing prompt
Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.
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When all is said and done, if others would say “he is a good man”, that would provide me great joy, warm my heart and replenish my soul. I have engaged in several moments of character suicide in way I have thought, spoke and acted for far too long. Integrity became compost and ego reigned over all.

But I started to listen instead of ignore. See instead of obfuscate. Behave in life of acting out. Rebuilding one piece at a time. However long it may take. For whatever time I have left.

I just want to be a good man.

Not just for me.

But mostly for others.

But theirs.

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Daily writing prompt
Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.
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Since I am involved in coaching, whether it be Special Olympics, job development for those with diverse abilities or good old football, I would have to say the first day of a season or the first meeting with a new associate is the best day. Days that really aren’t ever one and done. But moments that build and transition into other first days.

A first practice allows you to witness the work they have embraced in the off-season, weightroom, classroom, community and home. You get to see what they are beoming, the yearning to take those next steps to become something more for the team. Whether it is a scout, one that comes off the bench, or a leader that never comes off the field. As a coach, you get to help guide them along a path of their choosing. It is you that can help them see something bigger than themselves and then realize that vision.

Then if you remain connected, you can watch them do the same in college and their initial foray into the business world, whether employee or entrepeneur.

A first meeting to discuss job development is in many ways the same. You can learn of the progress they have made in their life despite their challenges. Whether they are at home, or gaining independence within a group community, you can see their excitement to learn, grow and become something more than they ever have been before.

Perhaps they start in the back of a business, learning the ropes. Maybe that gives them all the contentment and growth they need. Others may want to work there way up and out to the front. Filling in for teammates that are out or have elected to move on. Maybe they see themselves becoming the one that opens the door and turns on the lights each day.

It is coaching that takes place on other venues. It is still all about guiding them along a path of their choosing. But if you can see something bigger in themselves than they realize, you get to share that vision with them, and help them to grow into it.

It can be difficult to remember or recall all of the firsts I had throughout my life. But there is truly something to be said to be a part in those of others. For that reason, I am blessed to be able to participate in so many “firsts”.

Not so much mine.

But theirs.