My party grew by One.

Daily writing prompt
If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

If I had that power to do one thing that substantial and everlasting, I sincerely doubt I would be sitting at a kitchen table here in Wisconsin. There would definitely be an altitude correction. Seeing the sun rise as it is this morning is a loving reminder of that and our role here today. I am perfectly fine letting Him hoist that celestial light so that we can begin the day and try to do our best.

Now I do have the capacity to change one thing. For the pusposes of this instant, it could be considered law.

Perspective needs to shift though. The view cannot be focused entirely inward. For the purposes of reflection, discernment and repentance you will need to invest the time, effort and intention within, so as to have an honest understanding of the law you allow to govern your thoughts, words and deeds without. For abiding by the wrong statutes can definitely bring harm to you and those all around you.

Abiding by decrees determined to place me above you, or me first you and you last, I am right and you are wrong, I know everyting but you don’t and I have everything under control will eventually lead to revolt. A deeply personal insurrection that walls you off from all “threats” and acts to bring complete isolation. Enabling you to allegedly “live” in your own decrepitly selfish city-state. One party. One person. One vote.

Big ego.

During a recent, ongoing convention, I assumed the podium as usual, pounded the gravel and filibustered with all the nonsense I could muster to convince my party to keep going down this path of destruction. One voice whispered from the back. Hidden. An utterance I had noticed on more than one occassion, but chose to ignore. As I became enveloped in a forlorn sense of fatigue, despair and aloneness, the wall began to came down.

Finally.

I realized that I didn’t have to assign myself a place of honor, be first in anything or even be right. I admitted that I had much to learn and no control whatsover. Except when it came to choosing to let go. I retired the gavel. Listening to that all loving delegate, convinced me to close my book and open another. Not simply to change my law of life. But to declare my independence. Rewrite my constitution.

Together.

My party grew by One.

Ineinander.

Daily writing prompt
Write about your dream home.

I find that there are two aspects to home.

One that is physical. The other, emotional. They cannot run parallel to one another. Then, each will remain empty. They must be woven together. Intermesh. There is a German adverb that best describes that enjoined entity: ineinander. “Into each other, in one another, intertwiningly”.

From a physical standpoint, things are going along swimmingly. Yard a work in progress. Space enough in the back for gardens, dogs, frisbee, a game of catch, cookouts or just looking at the stars. Front about to explode with daffodils this spring.

Inside, things being redesigned and resituated so as to open things up for gatherings, small, medium or large. Natural light being embraced and enhanced. Couches for seating or slumber, a BnB downstairs if they want to stay over and a greenhouse in the storage area! Woo Hoo!

Within these modest surroundings, we can all just be. Places to read. To watch. To listen. To talk. To nap. To cook. To eat. To work. To rest. To think. To create. To reflect. To be.

Not just us, but anyone that wants to come over.

The dream?

A house that provides for the home.

A home that brings joy to the house.

Ineinander.

Now that makes me happy.

Daily writing prompt
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

Smile.

Give heartfelt thanks.

If it concerned another, learn of their circumstances, the intention that guided them and the devotion of their quest that made that good thing happen. Employ their experience as a lesson for my growth and achievement.

If it involved me?

Smile as I gave even more thanks. Recalled the circumstances of my mission. Replayed within the intention that guided my purpose. And confirmed the sense of devotion that eventually led me there. If this news came in the presence of others, I would be mindful just as ai learned from others, these others can now learn from me.

Over the weekend, a very wise man shared the notion that we need to aim at fulfillment first and foremost. Because when you achieve that, happiness is one of that outcomes most obvious byproduct.

Aiming for happiness first may seem a good tack, but it can fleeting. Its presence can be relegated to chance or luck. And yet the path you trek and endure towards fulfillment is sprinkled with happiness all along the way. A bit here. A piece there. Pursuing fulfillment all out teaches you how to find happiness.

Not just once. But over and over and over.

Now that makes me happy.

Oh, where Ray and the Girl Scout leader have it out.

Daily writing prompt
Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

I am a football guy. I have learned to enjoy watching soccer with my brother-in-law or even when he is not around. I like baseball especially around the playoffs. But in essence, I am a football guy.

I played in highschool and college. Have the gait to prove it. I have coached it about a quarter century, youth, highschool and college. Watching games with my best friend is an activity I truly look forward to. It is our mutual connection.

But as far as making it the central facet of viewing pleasure, it has now been relegated to background noise. Like “Everybody loves Raymond” or “Fixer Upper”, it can just run in the background until some play, uncomfortable family matter or demolition catches my attention.

The game has become the mechanism for many things not football. To the point that the players are an after thought. Playing Sunday then Thursday? I thought Monday to Sunday was bad enough. Add to that all of the betting sprinkled in all around it. The questions of a coach or player on the field before, in the middle or at the end of a game.

Playing surfaces that last but create non-contact injuries, tears and breaks. Now college football has NIL and transfer portals so that you can truly make it about yourself – not the men that are busting ass for YOU in the same locker room.

Football was the greatest game ever invented.

What you – singular and plural – accomplished on that field was all about what you – singular and plural – devoted yourselves to the other nine or so months of the year. Leaving it all out there all twelve months for the guy next to you. Serving them so all could achieve.

Now?

The greatest cash cow ever invented.

Nothing like I remember it.

But thank God, I always will.

Wait, what is this one?

Oh, where Ray and the Girl Scout leader have it out.

Therein lay the just deserts.

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite candy?

Location. Location. Location.

Don’t get me wrong. Movie popcorn immersed in butter, served with a can of Wet Wipes, is good eatin’ at the show. But my favorite, as introduced by my best friend, are Dots.

They can be taken one by one, dumped into your pie hole a dozen at a time, or melded into a clump and stuck in your cheek like a wad of Levi Garrett to salve and savor.

But, if I desire a hunk of chocolate to get the juices flowing, two are my go toos.

Mounds because it is a savory dark chocolate cured around a tassel of coconut.

And lastly, just in need of chocolate?

Hersheys. Break it into four pieces. Down by the next traffic light.

You are all fortunate this one wasn’t about ice cream.

Therein lay the just deserts.