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“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.

Granted by the gratuity of presence.

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Daily writing prompt
If you had to give one life-changing tip, what would it be?
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Giving a tip implies that I know what works. That my friends would be a very broad assumption on my part. Even dropping it down a few notches to “I know what works for me” is definitely a stretch.

But I can share one decision that has proven to be life changing for me. A common theme on this site of late when I seek to connect with each of you, whether prompt or “just because” driven.

Remaining present.

The past has served its purpose. And as the word suggests, it happened, it is over, and unless I somehow become H.G. Wells, and have that machine, there is no going back. Sapping my emotional, mental, physical and spiritual energy by focusing exclusively in that direction brings nothing but remorse, regret and isolation to me.

Thinking I am in control of what has yet to occur is another splendid avenue towards the same personally driven, intentional, downward spiral. I may think I have put every piece together that will eventually lead to that highly vaunted place, but things change. Others change. I change. An hour gone by has the potential to turn everything inside out.

And I am still not H.G.

So it is simply best for me to just remain right here.

Supplied with the wisdom earned from the past and the faith I am embracing that it will all work out, I can just be. Things can get hairy, or seem that way. But as a friend shared, “give it an hour and see where it has taken you.”

If that first one wasn’t enough, I give it sixty more minutes. Maybe another. I don’t try to convince myself that this is gonna be just like that time twenty years ago and slap my forehead because I should have seen it coming.

I just try my absolute best to remain.

Right here.

And be.

Talk about serenity wrapped up in the comforter of genuine peace.

Nothing quite like being in that place.

Truly changing my life.

Granted by the gratuity of presence.

No skill involved.

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Daily writing prompt
What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do?
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Perhaps this is more a generational thing than it is a basic skill.

It was something I learned to rely upon through out my career and became my go to when I just need to connect with another. Whether on the clock or off.

That “skill”?

Just talking on the phone.

And then?

This one is really scary.

Doing that in person.

A COLD CALL.

I recall when I first started on the road, coins or a credit card number and finding a payphone came into play big time. That was the only way you could advise them you were early, late, needed to reschedule or just plain lost.

If you couldn’t connect? Cold call. Just stop in and talk to the first person you see, Ask them for their help.

Despite the sounds of that, you actually got to know another person that way. Recognizing not only their voice when they picked up, but tone, demeanor and personality. You got the opportunity to get to know the man or woman talking on the phone with you. Even if it went to voicemail, those unwritten rules of engagement assured a call back. Or a chance to at least play tag.

Cold calls are even better.

You get to actually look someone – anyone – in the face and start a conversation. Try your best to put them at ease and open up. Describe the help you seek and who might be best suited to do so. Smile. Crack wise. Just be you.

These days, it literally throws people off if you call. Worse yet? Stop in unannounced.

An email or text merely serves to deflect any true interaction. How ’bout letting Al craft emails because time is so preciously dire or tack on some inane emoji to create the impression of currency and leading edge? Either will make the opportunity for honest and lasting communication ever less likely.

Want to follow up on something?

Try and schedule an appointment?

Need some information?

Ask a pressing question?

Refer someone to another?

Seek some help?

Send it Gmail so you can just wait. Better yet, tap it out on your phone so you can fixate on your palm for the next 24 hours.

Or?

Give them a call.

Hop in the car and just stop by.

Let them get to know you.

Get to know them.

The basics of life.

No skill involved.

An intention that totally stands to reason.

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Daily writing prompt
Do you think everything happens for a reason?
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Well my friends, a very interesting topic today, isn’t it?

When I first read it, I was a little perplexed. I wanted to make sure I fully understood the question.

So I referred to my compatriot Al for a defintion. After all, he comes from a long line of information collectors, spawned from the shores of Britannica, where they attended Oxford, and were lovingly raised by Merriam and Webster.

But of course, I digress…

I went to him because much of what I think, say and do has been and is self directed, for better or worse. I choose. I formulate the reason, arrive at the intended and misperceived results in my noggin, guided by my ego, and just go with it. That being said, once the things do happen, then my tendency is to go back and review the refigure the reason while I swiffer up the mess I made.

“I knew I could do it, so why did this happen?”

“Why did my thoughts, words and actions offend so many?”

“How come no one understands I am right and does what I tell them to do?”

True, I do all of the calculus before hand, or at teast I thought I did, so I can figure out the best reasons for doing everything I do. The results will then always reflect my math.

Yikes.

I never really was good at arithmetic. Tried, but just never connected point A to B. Not in my geornetry apparently. Actually torpedoed my college GPA trying calculus and physics in the midst of trying to find my way.

Based on the stats I have accumulated for more than a couple of decades, things definitely trend towards the negative.

So delving deeper into the concept of reason, the word purpose was offered. Not as a sibling. Perhaps moreso a distant relative.

As it stands, reason is more of definition or explanation of a past motivation, a cause, or even a justification for the reasons something was done or why an event occurred. Strange, you think you are figuring out how to go about doing something – via reasoning – and yet it is more attuned to understanding why it took place.

Purpose, in this stoic’s understanding, seems a more independent and intentional entity.

Independent in the sense that I am coming to believe it is not self generated. I get bits and pieces, hints and suggestions, clues and coincidence that open me up to embrace what is in the process of happening. Not so much deciding I guess, just letting if you know what I mean. I feel less compellee to reason things out. More driven to let go and let it become.

And purpose, they say, is yet to be revealed. Yet to be fully known. yet to be pursued. But then again, I think that its intention is tug me towards it, allow it to capture my heart, mind and soul and then take me beyond my wildest dreams and most fervent imagination. I simply need to grant my permission to be carried away.

As frightening as that may sound, there is an overwhelming sense of peace to it. I need not know, be, drive, control, decide, determine, or even concede. All of this has nothing to do with capitulation. I just need to let.

Allow.

And most of all, trust.

At this point in my life, one of the best things I can do for myself.

Finally allowing myself to divine my purpose.

An intention that totally stands to reason.