It wasn’t given once, at a time or a day I can recall. It possesses its own recurring, reinvigorating and reinforcing nature, something altogether different to me. Similar to when a friend or loved one touches your shoulder and leans into you, that very moment you need it most.
Just so you know, since there seems to be an element of magic and make believe in this scenario, my quest will rely upon those components. When all is said and done, my hope is that it touches all else with that same quality. Besides, you know me by now.
Since I know I have an unlimited budget, then I will assume I determine the timing of such a blessing. That makes this even funner. You will understand why when we get closer to the end.
First, I would need to recruit about a hundred or so people to be a part of my unlimited budget distribution team. I think once they know what I am up to, they would just do it just to do it. But I think their time is as valuable as their hearts of gold. So, as compensation for being my vaunted teammates, each would have every cent of their immediate and extended family’s debt vanquished. Cards, bills, mortgages, loans – “See ya!”
Then, together, we would embark on a venture touching many aspects of life.
We would fully fund all churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship within our immediate area for the forseeable future. Any schools affiliated with each of them would also be taken under that wing so that they could teach and grow others without worry.
Every children’s hospital, cancer care entities, hospices and rehabilitation centers – whether for physical, mental and emotional, or addictive challeneges – would also be fully funded for the unforeseeable future.
Wounded warriors of all makes and molds; soldiers, police officers, firemen, medics, ER doctors and nurses and anyone else watching over us at their danger, could all retire fully funded and supported.
Food pantries, homeless shelters and facilities that house those who lost theirs via nature or a sudden change in life, would be funded like Buzz Lightyear; “to infinity and beyond!”
Student debt?
Adios my friend.
Farmers won’t have to give up the farm to feed us.
Puppies and kitties will be cared for until the right one comes along.
My team is really smiling and loving this. I think they are in a Teams meeting now thinking of new recipients of gifts. I can’t think of everything. I know they will help show me the way.
The only stipulation I will make for any of this?
“I – (state your name) – will honor these gifts by doing the same for anyone that may have been missed, now or later. I will do it not for me, to be on a plaque, have a day with my name, or to be seated higher than anyone else.
That seat is taken.
I will do it just because.
I can, so I will.
What has been gifted to me will complete the loop and be given back”
Maybe I am a little optimistic about everyone doing it.
But if only half did, wouldn’t that essentially raise the whole thing up? And the riches actually realized in this prompt driven endeavor have no currency or denomination that can be banked, bit coined or IRA’d.
It is purely an overdue investment in others.
Just because.
So what do I get ?
Glad you wondered about that.
Like I said, being magical and make believe, my team and I would burn the midnite oil on one specfic day to make all of this happen.
That day?
Christmas Eve.
You all know what happens next when they wake up the next day.
I guess to me, a series is more than just a television show.
I would have to include things like Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Tex Avery, or Johnny Quest cartoons. Add in the Stooges. Svengoolie then on into actual series, like MASH, ER, All in the Family, Cheers, The Bob Newhart Show, Home Improvement, Seiinfeld, NYPD Blues, and the like. (there are WAY more.)
Back in the day? The Johnny Carson Show, the Carol Burnett Show, the Dean Martin Show, the Dick Cavett Show, and others. Off shore? Monty Python, Dave Allen, Bernard Hill, Bean. Movies? Star Wars, LOTR, Indiana Jones.
I cannot say I ever sat through an entire series via the boob tube. Star Wars and LOTR yes. But shows, nope. I think what tends to happen over time, is that things change. Maybe writers, artists, producers, characters and perhaps just the creativity are elements that are very challenging to maintain. Sprinkle in ego, and voila, you may end up with something never intended.
So like my cartoons?
They just lost me. Generational most likely. Too generic and not violent and sarcastic enough any more. So if an old school one is on, I will hunker down to chuckle.
But new ones? Nope.
Curly, Larry and Moe?
24/7. Later Shemps, Joe and Curly Joe? Uh, uh,
TV shows?
Trapper went home and Henry perished in a plane crash. I left too. Archie was less obnoxious when Meathead left and Edith passed. Diane left the bar, new romances began, and Woody took center stage. Michael left the office. Why would they want someone else to be Frank Drebbin? Something else shinier always catches my attention. Figures. Attention span of a gnat.
These days?
The Pitt led to a return to Madmen, and Ray and the Barones are always in the background. Bla, bla, bla.
But other than LOTR and StarWars, I have never watched an entire series. With regard to Star Wars, 4, 5 and 6 were way better than 1, 2 and 3. What were they even thinking. Obviously in a galaxy far, far away.
At first, my mind went one way. Then, shifted in reverse and took a few turns around the subject so I could better see where this was ultimately taking me. I think I have it now.
So for much of my life, there was a philosopher in my midst. Until this morning, unfortunately, I never considered him as such. A very stoic, quiet, keep to himself kind of man. Well learned academically and in all aspects of life. Adverse to accolades, attention and honors. A very dry, but profound, deep sense of humor.
He had a way with words.
You wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of his semantical offerings. for those quips tended to be laden with genius level, forever lasting barbs. But when he shared some wisdom, like his thoughts upon looking at the yard – “you can’t grow kids and grass at the same time” – t went to the core and remained within you.
Nothing that he did, but our times together were not so conducive to much conversation. Too many distractions were brought to the huddle. More so baggage. Things that didn’t need to be with us two. My doing. A regret of mine to this day.
Then, the true philosopher came to light at his funeral. People I never knew, approaching me to share how he had changed their life. How he went beyond to help them to grow and become what they were meant to be. The moral, financial, experiential, spiritual and fatherly love he spread about to anyone and everyone.
His philosophy.
Put him in a totally different light.
One that remains shining in my life.
He passed many years ago. A date that still is unsettling to me.
And I would give anything for dinner with this philosopher one more time.
Back in the day when I shared motivational thoughts with student-athletes, the topic of fear and self-doubt came up quite often.
Fear and doubt can be a sensation just as overwhelming alone as it is on a field surround by teammates, opponents and hundreds of spectators. It can be perceived as an inherently dual natured calamity; failing not just yourself, but all those around you. If there is a more potentially lethal double edged sword, I cannot offer one. A predicament that often leads to absolute failure.
Not trying.
This is cloaked by “self-assuring” monologue of sorts, one that is determined to convince you that you would have blown it anyways, so why even try? It wasn’t for you, nothing would come of it and hearing the chorus of “I told you so” externally and internally would make things even worse.
Mr. Shakespeare addressed this conundrum in a most succinct fashion.
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
Essentially, self betrayal lay in the decison to avoid the attempt altogether. Losing in it the good to come for all, us included.
As a result, self treason doth never prosper.
Sorry for making it one of my coachisms, Mr. Harington.
...my temporary assignment. 