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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.