Hello Inner Lion, Nice to See You

I was a shy, scared, and sensitive child.

Truly, the mouse of the family, it was quite wild

Minoo Mouse all the way

Minoo Mouse all the day.

__

I read a lot of books

But I was tongue-tied

When people visited our house

I would run away and hide.

__

Shake their hands

And slink away

As fast as I could

You couldn't coax me to stay.

__

Diwali brought on terrible fears

I would close my eyes, and plug my ears

I would only hold sparklers at the end of a stick

For being a scaredy cat, I couldn’t be licked.

__

There was no change, when I came of dating age

I headed straight for the dance floor, to keep my shyness out of gaze

Dancing and dancing, I got away with saying few words

Minoo, call that dating? I know, it was absurd!

__

I had a catalog of fears, some small, some great

Injections were one of them  - you can't even contemplate

I once scaled a tree, and jumped over a high wall

So the visiting vaccination nurse couldn’t get me, 

Couldn’t get me at all!

__

Omg - does the story get worse?

Was Minoo doomed to a lifelong curse?

Or was she able to cut the Chicken Little cord?

Good news! Good news!

Sparklers At The End of a Stick Minoo grew into the lion that roared.

__

Mentally strong enough to buck traditions

Such as a college education, without contrition

Dropping out in her very first year

Using a talent for words to write Deccan Herald middles, and get into the advertising sphere.

__

Yes, yes, yes, and there’s more.

About how Sparklers At The End of a Stick Minoo grew into the lion that roared.

__

Entered a disco competition, and took home a 2nd prize

Landed on her feet, quitting 5 jobs in her life

Started Purple Patch, her own little advertising shop

Moved to America, learned to cook, drive, look after a baby, become a Commissions Analyst, and start again from nought.

__

And so, my friend, here we are today

With Sparklers At The End of a Stick Minoo having come a long way

And it may be a miracle, but this much is true

Minoo Mouse was able to keep going, once she was able to say, “Hello Inner Lion, Nice To See You”.

__

Minoo Mouse was able to keep going once she was able to say, “Hello Inner Lion, Nice To See You”.

__

Dear friend, have you said hello to your Inner Lion, or not just yet?

Well, a brand new year is ahead of you, so get ready, get set

Let the New Year see you do some wonderful new things you want to do

Let the New Year find you saying, “Hello Inner Lion, Nice to See You”.

__

Let the New Year see you do some wonderful new things you want to do.

Let the New Year find you saying, “Hello Inner Lion, Nice to See You”.

Yay!

__

Let the New Year see you do some wonderful new things you want to do.

Let the New Year find you saying, “Hello Inner Lion, Nice to See You”.

Yay!

__

Happy New Year.

From Sparklers At The End of a Stick Minoo, who turned into the mouse that roared.

All my love.  Hope you have a vibrant and unforgettable 2024. Make it so. Make it so. If you do one unforgettable thing, that's plenty.

That Kind of Love

That kind of love...

🎄

That you can rest in.

That you can feel blessed in.

🎄

That you can feel at peace in.

That you can feel at ease in.

🎄

That you can feel at home in.

And you never feel alone in.

🎄

That makes you feel lucky.

That makes you feel plucky.

🎄

That makes your life come alive.

And makes it worthwhile to strive.

🎄

That makes any mountain easier to climb.

And the earth and sky look sublime.

🎄

That gives you confidence to fly higher.

And keeps you ever inspired.

🎄

That makes you want to sing.

And makes every season feel like spring.

🎄

That makes the sun and the stars shine brighter.

And tough moments feel lighter.

🎄

That you are thankful for every night

And makes your spirit burn bright.

🎄

I wish you that kind of love, this Christmas. And every Christmas.

🎄

Whether from the one you love, your family, your friends, your cousins and relatives, your pets, your neighbors, your teachers, your mentors, your well-wishers and supporters, the people you are connected with through school, work, community, church, or other shared experiences -- all the wonderful people who have made your life richer, and have brought you joy on different occasions.

🎄

Here's to the strengthening of the love you share with all of them.

🎄

Wishing each and every one of you, a very merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

🎄

All my love - Minoo 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

I Went to Draw Water from the Spiritual Well

I went to draw water from the spiritual well

And saw an unfamiliar face

My heart grew cold, and my spirit recoiled

Who is this defiling the space?

I said, "what are you doing here?"

"I am here to draw water" is what he said

"Oh no, you're a pagan, you don't belong here.

You are an infidel, and you are going to hell."

"You won't find anything here," I said

There isn't anything here for the likes of you."

"Did you come to draw righteousness from this well?" he asked, gently.

I nodded angrily. He said, "I did too."

"Did you come to draw goodness from this well?" he continued,

Angrily, I replied, "What's it to you?"

"I did not mean to offend," he said.

"I just came to draw goodness too."

"I didn't come to draw barbarism," I snarled,

"And I don't want to have anything to do with you, and your barbaric lot".

"I came to draw compassion from this well," was what he replied.

"You see, I have the very same problems with my thoughts."

That gave me pause, and I said, "Ok...

"We have some things in common, but not a lot".

"I came to draw truth from this well", he said.

"Do you think this is where truth may be sought?"

Again, I got angry, and I snarled

"Truth! I don't want to hear another word

"Don't you get it - My truth is the truth

Your truths are just sacrilegious and absurd."

"But isn't there only one truth?" he said

"I am confused. This is what I believe"

This is why I came to draw water from the well

To find out what it will reveal.

And so we dipped our buckets into the well

Him in curiosity, me confident I was right

And do you know we pulled up the very same things

And it was only then I saw the light.

                     **********************************

Inspired by this quote from Thoreau:

“In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagvat Geeta, since whose composition years of the gods have elapsed, and in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial; and I doubt if that philosophy is not to be referred to a previous state of existence, so remote is its sublimity from our conceptions. I lay down the book and go to my well for water, and lo! there I meet the servant of the Bramin, priest of Brahma and Vishnu and Indra, who still sits in his temple on the Ganges reading the Vedas, or dwells at the root of a tree with his crust and water jug. I meet his servant come to draw water for his master, and our buckets as it were grate together in the same well. The pure Walden water is mingled with the sacred water of the Ganges.”

― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Connect. Connect.

Connecting is a gift that keeps on giving.

Connect. Connect.

Connect with people

Tell them your story.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will help you believe in yourself.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who can give you that initial boost.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will jump in, and join you in a venture or hobby.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will give you ideas and inspire you.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will see something in you.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who you can learn from.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will be receptive to your thoughts and ideas.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will take you under their wing.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will become a mentor and a sounding board.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will help you break through your limitations.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who might help you increase your possibilities, and your sphere of influence.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who can improve your thinking on some subjects.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who can become your trusted confidant and coach.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who may expand your vision for the future.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who can help you gain clarity on the choices in front of you.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will open your mind and heart.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who may be ready to collaborate with you.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will be the key to your continued growth.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who can give your situation or circumstances a boost.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will help you think your way out, when you are in a funk or jam.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will be the solution, or have the answer to a problem.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will hold your hand, when that’s what you need.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will be one of the people who get you.

Connect. Connect.

You never know

Who will become a long-term supporter or a lifelong friend.

Connect. Connect.

And finally,

You never know

How much richer your life will become

For all the differences that different human beings bring into your life - from the books they read, to the foods they eat, to their tastes in art, music, clothes, entertainment, and above all their unique and individual perspective.

Connect. Connect.

                    ************************************

This post is dedicated to the masterful connectors in our family, friends, and relatives circle - living, and living in our memories.

Got Things To Do!

Got squirrels to chase

Got people passing by to bark at.

Got things to do.

🐶

Got socks to remove and run around with

Got whines to emit when loved ones return home

Got things to do.

🐶

Got new scents to smell

Got new patches of grass to roll in

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to eat my food

Got to beg for treats

Gotta be alert for crumbs that fall off the table, if I'm lucky

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to strain at my leash

Got to walk or run, until I am hot and thirsty

Got to drink water

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to jump on my favorite chair

Got to roll over for a tummy rub

Got tricks to perform

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to wag my tail

Got to run for cover, when it's bath time

Got to dash around madly, to shake the drops of water off my back

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to play with my toys

Got to be Shiva or Terminator with them

Got to show them who's boss

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to scratch the mat

Got to yawn or take a nap

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to growl at other dogs

Got to scare away those who come close to my food

Got to chase my tail

Got to roughhouse

Got things to do.

🐶

Got to pretend I like being dressed up

Got to pose for pictures

Got to stick my head out of the car and

feel my ears flap in the wind

Got things to do. 

🐶

Got to tilt my head 

Gotta do amusing things

Which elicit an "Awwww", or "OMG , so cute"

Gotta create What'sApp and Text Message and Tik Tok photo-worthy moments

Got things to do.

🐶

What's my favorite?

Wanna take a guess?

No competition - being with the one whose name starts with a T and ends with an A, and the one whose name starts with a J and ends with an H.

That's the very best.

🐶

Oh, that, and food!

Hint! Hint!

🐶

On behalf of all of man's people's best friends, wishing you a joyous Christmas season, and a very happy new year, with lots of love, including dog love. and cat love, which may be the best kind of love. Just saying. 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

The ABCs of You

amazing

awesome

accomplished 

admirable

☝

I am sure you are one of these.

☝

amiable

active

approachable

affable

☝

I am sure you are one of these.

☝

balanced

breezy

big-hearted

bubbly

☝

I am sure you are one of these.

☝

bold

brainy

brawny

bright

☝

I am sure you are one of these.

☝

carefree

classy

cheerful

conscientious 

☝

I am sure you are one of these.

☝

contented

confident

charismatic

curious

☝

I am sure you are one of these.

☝

I love and appreciate the ABCs of You, dear reader.

And I hope you do too. 

And on this Thanksgiving Day

Here are the words I would like to say...

Thank you for being you.

What is the best part of life?

For some it’s cars

For some it’s food

For some it’s clothes

For some it’s booze.

__

For some it’s sports

For some it’s games

For some it’s books

For some it’s getting on planes.

__

For some it’s music

For some it’s hiking

For some it’s weights

For some it’s biking.

__

For some it’s gardening

For some it’s tv

For some it’s dancing

For some it’s photography.

__

For some it's carpentry

For some it's art

For some it's fishing

For some it's crafts.

__

Of course, to beat all this

Is the love of god, family, pets, or friends

And now that I’ve declared this

My little poem ends.

The Light of Understanding

Getting it wrong is a way to getting it right

Mistakes bring errors of thought, words, and action to light

Don't be defensive to prove you are right

Dimming the light of understanding will rob you of clear sight.

__

Don't dim the light of understanding, dear reader.

Don't dim the light

What you want to get to, dear reader

Is a better understanding and clear sight.

__

You touch something hot, and it makes you shriek in pain

You learn not to touch that hot thing again

Everything in life should be the same.

You should learn from every situation, even the ones that bring shame.

__

Don't dim the light of understanding, dear reader

Don't dim the light

Take the first steps on your path to understanding

Where your vision is not clouded, and you have clear sight.

__

It is tempting to push things to the back of your mind

To distract yourself, and ignore the value you might find

This is how you leave many missed opportunities behind

To gain wisdom, and be an example to all mankind.

__

Don't dim the light of understanding, dear reader

Don't dim the light

Look upon all problems as puzzles

And put the pieces together until they fit right.

__

Getting it wrong is a way to getting it right

Failures and losses bring errors in thought, word, and action to light

Step by step, it can lead you to crystal clear sight

Of what works, and what is meaningful and right.

__

Don't dim the light of understanding, dear reader

Don't dim the light

Getting it wrong is a way to getting it right

Step by step, it can lead us to crystal clear sight

We have to find our way through the debris of our errors and messes to develop insight.

__

Don't dim the light of understanding, dear reader, don't dim the light

Tempting to sweep things under the carpet, and get on with our life

Resist, and try to find a way to set things right

Stay with the uncomfortable until you develop clear sight.

__

Don't dim the light of understanding, dear reader,

Don't dim the light

Don't dim the light of understanding

Don't dim the light.

__

A shining example of not dimming the light of understanding, but exploring the value there is to find:

On 7 June 1893, Mahatma Gandhi, who was a practicing lawyer in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where he had lived for 21 years, was forcibly removed from a whites-only carriage on a train for not obeying laws that segregated each carriage according to race. Instead of pushing the incident to the back of his mind and going on with his life, he began a passive resistance movement to protest all the unfair laws that applied to people of Indian descent in S. Africa. This was the beginning of his Satyagraha movement - a movement which he first used to fight racial discrimination in South Africa, and then used again in the freedom struggle of India against the British.

How to Stand Out From the Crowd of Professionals Entering the Workforce

Meet and exceed expectations

Aim to deliver value 

Do not engage in unhealthy competition 

Be a team player in all you do.

__ 

Have respect for work rules 

Regarding punctuality, communication, and dress 

Always show the best manners 

Develop good work habits and etiquette.

__ 

Have a service heart and a servant heart 

Help everyone get better in your group

Be generous with credit, praise, and recognition

Make sure to give credit where credit is due.

__ 

Ask for feedback, and act on feedback 

Show respect for unexpected ideas and views 

Make sure yours is not the only voice that’s heard

And consider the impact on others, of any action you choose.

__

Respect superiors, peers, and those junior to you

Be a continuous example as you grow in your role and tenure

Be known as someone who treats all people with dignity and respect

And someone who leaves a legacy of good feelings and tenor.

__

Keep ethics front and forward

Never let temptations make you lose your way

Have a list of guiding principles and values

And check your actions against them at the end of each day.

__

Keep growing as priorities shift, dear professional

Be open to learning new things

Have an open mind to new technologies, systems, and ideas

Adapt to whatever the wheels of market demand and change, brings.

__

Embrace diversity and inclusion,

Use an expanding mind to avoid situations and strife

Learn to look at commonalities rather than differences

So however diverse the team, you are able to thrive.

__

Build strong relationships as you go

With a foundation of trust and competence as your base

View your career as an expanding web of collaborative connections

This will ensure you have a future place.

__

Be both optimistic and realistic

Ready to deal with a career's ebbs and flows

Look upon all opportunities and challenges as a gift

Inviting you to participate, inviting you to grow.

__

Oh, and one, last thing, dear reader

Don’t forget to give back, as you go

Show gratitude to those you owe a debt to

And bless those who have less, as life gives you more.

Good Getting Better, or Bad Getting Worse?

Good getting better

Seeking a higher plane

Bad getting worse

Stuck in an unhealthy same.

__

Good getting better

Path is bright and clear

Bad getting worse

Lost in a fog of fear.

__

Good getting better

Applying a system to things that matter

Bad getting worse

Thoughts and actions all scattered.

__

Good getting better

Saying sorry and resolving issues

Bad getting worse

Ego and habits creating new stews.

__

Good getting better

Meaning what you say

Bad getting worse

Intentions never see light of day.

__

Good getting better

Healthy conversations and bonds

Bad getting worse

Feuds which start and drag on.

__

Good getting better

Acceptance of life's blows

Bad getting worse

Drowning in throes.

__

Good getting better

Walking without fear

Bad getting worse

Looking over your shoulder, coz trouble is near.

__

Good getting better

Lifting spirits high

Bad getting worse

Making loved ones fret and cry.

__

Good getting better

Right choices, doing good

Bad getting worse

Doing things you never should.

__

Good getting better

Peace and rest

Bad getting worse

Creating a stress and a mess.

__

Good getting better

Striving for dreams

Bad getting worse

Unraveling at the seams.

__

Good getting better

Learning, growing strong

Bad getting worse

Turning failures into wrongs.

__

Good getting better

Harmony, in every way

Bad getting worse

Creating trouble every day.

__

Good getting better

Love and laughter shared

Bad getting worse

Hearts heavy & ensnared.

__

Good getting better

Strength to face the night

Bad getting worse

Hiding from the light.

__

Good getting better

Bad getting worse...

__

Which one

Which one

Which one

do you want to claim for your life?

__

Good getting better

Bad getting worse...

__

Which one

Which one

Which one

do you want to aim for your life?

__

Good getting better

Bad getting worse...

__

Hello...

But of course, you know!

__

In the end, it's clear

We wanna be good getting better

Not bad getting worse

__

And it's all in the choices we steer!

__

Hello!

Brave Decisions lead to Brave Decisions

When you look at the water

And it looks scary, cold, and deep

🌙

Listen to the inner voice that whispers...

"Be brave."

"Be brave."

"Brave decisions lead to brave decisions."

"Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions"

🌙

Hush your beating heart, and let the inner voice win.

🌙

Jump in

And begin to swim.

🌙

Brave decisions lead to brave decisions.

Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions.

🌙

The inner voice is right.

It leads to a more fulfilling life.

A life without regrets

Your most incredible life yet.

__

🌙

When opportunity knocks on the door

And you are nervous, because you've never tried that before.

🌙

Listen to the inner voice that whispers...

"Be brave."

"Be brave."

"Brave decisions lead to brave decisions."

"Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions."

🌙

Hush your beating heart, and let the inner voice win.

🌙

Open the door

And go where you haven't gone before.

🌙

Brave decisions lead to brave decisions.

Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions.

🌙

The inner voice is right.

It leads to a more fulfilling life.

A life without regrets

Your most wonderful life yet.

__

🌙

When you look at the crowd

And your heart beats out loud

And you want to flee

Because it's not where you want to be.

🌙

Listen to the inner voice that whispers...

"Be brave."

"Be brave."

"Brave decisions lead to brave decisions."

"Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions."

🌙

Hush your beating heart, and let the inner voice win.

🌙

Join the crowd and play

Relax, be yourself, and stay.

Let your inner voice save the day.

🌙

Brave decisions lead to brave decisions.

Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions.

🌙

Your inner voice is right.

It leads to a more fulfilling life.

A life without regrets

Your most meaningful life yet.

__

🌙

When you listen to the news

And fear grips you, from your head down to your shoes...

🌙

Listen to the inner voice that whispers...

"Be brave."

"Be brave."

"Brave decisions lead to brave decisions."

"Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions."

🌙

Hush your beating heart, and let the inner voice win.

🌙

Let faith guide you, say a prayer,

Meditate, take deep breaths of air,

Brave decisions lead to brave decisions.

Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions.

🌙

Your inner voice is right.

It leads to a more fulfilling life.

A life without regrets

Your most peaceful life yet.

🌙

When you look at the mountain

And it seems too high

And you think you are going to fall

And you think you are going to die.

🌙

Listen to the inner voice that whispers...

"Be brave."

"Be brave."

"Brave decisions lead to brave decisions."

"Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions"

🌙

Hush your beating heart, and let the inner voice win.

🌙

Begin the climb

To the top of that fearful incline.

🌙

Brave decisions lead to brave decisions.

Fearful decisions lead to fearful decisions.

🌙

The inner voice is right.

It leads to a more fulfilling life.

A life without regrets

Your most incredible life yet.

__

Your inner voice.

There to give you your best life yet.

More filled with awe than anything that came before.

More filled with awe than anything yet.

__

Your inner voice.

Listen to its whisper

To live your best life yet!

On Pairings

Like mac and cheese

Peanut butter and jelly

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely. 

Absolutely.

__

Like nachos and salsa

Biscuits and gravy

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely. 

Absolutely.

__

Like burgers and fries

Milk and cookies

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely. 

Absolutely.

__

Like fish and chips

Celery and dips

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely. 

Absolutely.

__

Like carrots and peas

Bagels and cream cheese

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely. 

Absolutely.

__

Like sour cream and chives

Cilantro and lime

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

__

Like coffee and donuts

French fries and ketchup,

You two were meant to be,

Absolutely. 

Absolutely.

__

For the 2 very special couples, whose engagement parties I had the privilege of attending this weekend. A thank you written in food pairings. Inspired by you. Because everyone who knows you, absolutely everyone who knows you, will agree - you are mac n cheese meant to be together, fries and ketchup meant to be together, hella meant to be together, fa sheezy meant to be together, bagels and cream cheese meant to be together, chips and dips meant to be together. In 2 words ...and plain talk, perfectly paired!

P.S. Hella? Fa sheezy? For those curious...

https://www.kqed.org/news/10649552/the-origins-of-hella#:~:text=%E2%80%9CHella%20emerged%20somewhere%20in%20Northern,this%20region%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Nunberg.

What are Thoughts Made Of?

What are thoughts made of?

I set out to solve

this mystery

I cracked open

different articles and books

To find out what I

could from research and history.

__

I discovered we

have 6200 thoughts a day

Some interesting,

some alarming, some magical, some plain

Questions, answers,

opinions, ideas

Will roll into our

mental station like 6200 trains.

__

What am I saying?

They are faster than that

There’s a thought

for every 3 of our 22,000 daily breaths

Thoughts zoom in

and out of our minds endlessly

Like an ever

changing fleet of 6200 jets.

__

Some zoom in for

nanoseconds,

Like a butterfly or

a hummingbird, they are there, then they zoom away

Some overstay and

become repetitive, intrusive thoughts

Those thoughts

can become pests and spoil our day.

__

A fly zips by,  you read these words,

Umpteen things 

can set your mind going.

And because one thought

leads to another, and another,

Where we will end up, 

we have 

no way of knowing.

__

Thoughts are just electro-chemical reactions, 

they say*

Connecting with each other in mysterious ways, 

This is why we find ourselves

here and now, one minute,

the very next minute, our thoughts are

far away.

__

Observing our thoughts is a worthwhile experience

It will reveal to us, and help us find

What thoughts we should continue, what thoughts we shouldn't

So we are in a good thought shape and state

Most of the time.

__

By making a practice of attending to

our thoughts,

We will find out what thoughts

are sad, fearful, angry, lascivious, covetous, greedy, unforgiving, or untrue,

We can observe them

without acting or reacting, based on them

And watch them be replaced

by thoughts that are better and are new.

__

Meditation and prayer can help us do that,

dear reader

It can help us get rid of the sad, fearful, angry, lascivious, covetous, greedy, unforgiving, or untrue.

It can help us lift our thoughts to an ever higher plane

So we can keep our ever-changing fleet of 6200

ever pure, and ever new

__

*For the really curious about those electrochemical reactions...https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/what-are-thoughts-made-of/

Suggested next steps: 1. What's on your mind? Write down every thought you have today, and begin the experiment of learning about your 6200.

2. Use this Happiness Calendar for October 2023 to improve your thought shape and state in October, and to say "Boo" to all those negative thoughts. The calendar was designed for educators, but you can use it too.

It's World Tourism Day - What Will People See?

 

Are we a minimalistic bunch?

Look around you - what do you see?

Houses big enough, yet garages bulging with stuff

The flotsam and jetsam of all those compulsive shopping sprees.

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Garbage cans overflowing

Clutter in all corners and nooks

All kinds of things from gizmos to chotchkes

Sigh, if only they were high music, art, or books.

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And may I point out some of the places people have visited

Such as the Florida Keyes

Where the sea is full of plastic bags

As far as the eye can see.

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We’re a dirty, messy bunch, in more ways than one

We are not civic minded, it’s clear to see

We are not frugal, or minimalistic, or restrained, in any sense of the word

And our generation will leave a shabby legacy.

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There's A Place For You

There’s a place for you 

in the family you were born into,

in the life of the person who became your lifelong partner or spouse,

in the family you married into,

in the family, or families, you created with another human being,

in the lives of the pets, and all the furry or feathery creatures that you love, or who love you, or that you have shown concern and care for,

in the lives of everything you nurture, or have nurtured, including plants and trees, animals and habitats,

in the group, or groups, to which you belong, and you help keep strong,

in the community, or communities, you are a part of,

in the neighborhood in which you live,

in the country which you live in, and all the countries you have lived in,

in the gatherings and events you attend, and have attended,

in the lives of all those who have met you - whether they have met you personally, or through your books, or through your content online, or through watching you perform, or listening to you talk, or observing how you conduct yourself, or participate,  or how you have dealt with tragedies, losses, failures and successes, or by reading about you and your inspiring story,

in the lives of all those you went to school or college with,

in the lives of all those you have worked with,

In the lives of all those you have provided work to,

in the lives of all those who have crossed your door,

in the lives of all those you have broken bread with,

in the lives of all those you have listened to, or given a voice to,

in the lives of all those you have collaborated with, or exchanged ideas with,

In the lives of all those who have been advised, guided, or mentored by you, whether directly, or by example,

In the lives of all those you gave a break to,

In the lives of all those you have served,

in the lives of all those you have helped,

in the lives of all those who have enjoyed, benefited from, or been inspired by your talents and gifts, your thoughts, words, actions, or creations,

in the lives of all those you have set an example to, who have seen the example of your sacrifice, or your resilience, or your dedication, or your responsibility, or your generosity, or your kindness, or your participation, or your positivity, or your courage, or your authenticity, or your sense of fairness and justice,

in the lives of all those who have benefited from your time, your money, your hospitality, your kindness, your thoughts, your ideas, or your vision,

in the lives of all those you have taught, helped, protected, reached out to, or supported,

in the lives of all those you have laughed with, sang with, celebrated milestones with, grieved with, experienced life with, and created memories with, all the many friends and people you have gone through life with,

in the lives of everyone who has journeyed with you, for a short while, or for a long while, 

There is a place for you.

A unique, irreplaceable place.

Treasure it! Treasure knowing you have a unique and special place, in so many different lives, and in so many different spheres.

Why Do We Communicate?

To greet.

To share.

To explain.

To air.

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To ask.

To vent.

To beg.

To compliment.

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To criticize.

To warn.

To help.

To mourn.

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To wish.

To suggest.

To dish.

To impress.

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To inform.

To guide.

To teach.

To advise.

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To instruct.

To learn.

To sell.

To earn.

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To tell stories.

To rib.

To tease.

To crib.

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To explain.

To poll.

To influence.

To condole.

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To inspire.

To trade.

To brainstorm.

To persuade.

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To spur.

To report.

To deter.

To retort.

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There are reasons and reasons

For why we communicate.

And there are seasons and seasons

For why we communicate.

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If we show love, appreciation, gratitude, and other positive feelings,

It is through communication.

If we show hate, displeasure, or disgust,

It is through communication.

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And before we end,

Dear Reader and Friend,

Let me stress to you,

Let me express to you,

Let me impress to you,

That one of the greatest joys of my life is (when I don't blow it),

Communicating.

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Looking forward to you and me keeping our communications going.

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If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy revisiting these previous posts:  

Words, Words, Words

Let's Sit Around an Imaginary Campfire

What You See, What You Don't See

What you see

is the beautiful garden.

What you don't see

is the love and care that went into every plant, every flower, every shrub, every tree, to keep them alive, and bring out their beauty.

☝

What you see

is an older couple dancing, and still very much in love.

What you don't see

are the little and big things they did every day, to make sure they would not take each other for granted, and would keep their love ever fresh.

☝

What you see

is the graduate with their cap and gown.

What you don't see

is the the juggling of work, study, and family responsibilities, and the financial sacrifices that were made, or hoops they had to jump through, to achieve their dreams.

☝

What you see

is the beautiful dress.

What you don't see

is the hours spent on thinking about the design, fabric, drape, and embellishments, by the designer who tailored it.

☝

What you see

is someone who is relaxed, and at peace with life.

What you don't see

are the tough challenges life threw at them, and the hours of meditation, and inner work they did, to arrive at a place of peace.

☝

What you see 

is the self-assured professional.

What you don't see

is the struggles of their early days, and all the humiliations, setbacks, and disappointments they went through, at different stages of their professional journey.

☝

What you see

is the comfortably bi-lingual or trilingual person.

What you don't see

are the outside influences, and the internal motivations and decisions, which resulted in their becoming fluent in another language.

☝

What you see

is a masterfully organized event.

What you don't see

is the planning, the coordinating, the sourcing, and the leaving no stone unturned, that went into the making of that event.

☝

What you see

is a person in great shape.

What you don't see

are the foods avoided, the hours devoted to exercise, and the many changes in lifestyle made to get into that kind of shape.

☝

What you see

is the music video on youtube with so many views.

What you don't see

is the day in and day out devotion of the musician or artist, to her or his craft, and the many hours, days, months, and years they had to slog it out, in invisibility.

☝

What you see

is the scrumptious dish placed in front of you.

What you don't see

is the time, energy, passion, love, and attention, and the trials and errors that went into perfecting it.

☝

What you see

is a picture on a mantel, or a picture in an album.

What you don't see

are the memories and footprints of the person, or people you see in the picture.

☝

What you see 

is everyone's Point B.

And unless you get to know them well, you will never know where their Point A started.

In fact, it's only if you get to know them really well - in intimate conversation - that you will get to know where their Point A started.

And the different things that happened along the way.

☝

Here's to you and me discovering how everyone got to their Point Bs.

And appreciating the individual journeys taken to get to those Point Bs.

Whether the Point B is a beautiful garden, a lovely dress, a masterfully organized event, a diploma or a degree, professional success, getting fit, or just finding peace.

🙏

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Recommended next reading: If You Take a Ride Down Memory Lane.