Where we spend our time, inside, outside. Literally, and figuratively. In the world, in our heads.
Who are we outside? Inside? The same, or different…?
These questions churn through my noggin most days, challenge me, inspire me, forward, the stop!
Then forward again. Striving to understand, live the truth, each day, nudge, speed, forward.
Inside, and outside,
Ever forward. Ever forward.
“Zoo Station” —
— this song broke the ice and set the tone for what was to come, in my humble opinion, when U2 released their album, “Achtung Baby”, following the world changing sounds from “Joshua Tree” and “Rattle & Hum”.
The lyric, and sound, the vibe Zoo Station delivered, especially as the opening track, lit the fuse, and showed us what was coming from U2, what they were capable of.
“I’m ready
I’m ready for the laughing gas
I’m ready
I’m ready for what’s next
I’m ready to duck
I’m ready to dive
I’m ready to say
I’m glad to be alive
I’m ready
I’m ready for the push
The cool of the night
The warmth of the breeze
I’ll be crawling ’round
On my hands and knees
Just down the line…Zoo Station
Gotta make it on time…Zoo Station
I’m ready
I’m ready for the gridlock
I’m ready…to take it to the street
I’m ready for the shuffle
Ready for the deal
Ready to let go of the steering wheel
I’m ready
Ready for the crush
(She’s just down the line)…Zoo Station
(Got to make it on time)…Zoo Station
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright, It’s alright
Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby
It’s alright, it’s alright
(Alright, you can turn it up)
Time is a train
Makes the future the past
Leaves you standing in the station
Your face pressed up against the glass
I’m just down the line from your love…(Zoo Station)
You know I’m under the sign…(Zoo Station)
I’ve gotta make it on time
Make it on time…(Zoo Station)
That’s alright…(Zoo Station)
Just two stops down the line…(Zoo Station)
Just a stop down the line…”
Writer(s): Clayton Adam, Evans David, Hewson Paul David, Mullen Laurence
A colleague and friend reflects on May 4th, 5th…
“After the substantial grip that Star-Wars took on this particular date, I wanted to share with you some personal reflections on May 4th, as long as I can remember.
So many lives lost about hate and the ultimate gift so many gave to free Europe from Hate-Nazi’s.
…….May 4th…………, in The Netherlands we remember all those who died during WW II. the day before liberation day ( May 5th, when we go all out to celebrate) , we ALL stop, stand still, reflect on the horrors of warfare, we remember families ripped apart, and we also honor and deeply experience the weight of all those who gave their life for our, (another and unknown human’s freedom.
So many young men and women, from our own and many more from foreign countries sacrificed, gave their lives to give us the freedom from the Nazi’s.
The Netherlands, the whole country is silent, a single bell sounds on the Waaldorpervlakte, in their honor, to not forget how much it took and the costs, to live in freedom and how easy and simple-minded hate is.
I translated a poem, and i’m not a poet, nor official translator, but it resonates deeply in me and shows how after 20 years away form my home town and culture, I still carry the weight of the lives lost for our freedom, to fight evil and hate.
Poem, author unknown to me.
—Unknown Soldier—
Sent out, not knowing where to be gone,
You fought for our freedom
now here is your name in stone.
As you gave your life here on these the battle-ground for me, for us, for the Netherlands of inexpressible value…..unbound.
Your grave here in our Dutch soils and sands Your last resting place in this world unfamiliar soil on this earth You didn’t ask but you gave it all, the ultimate sacrifice.
Against our freedom was your life
For us the light, that brought you the cold night of death unkind No word will ever be enough For all that you left behind Your loved ones lost you much too soon So that we could live in peace On this day, May 4th, we all pay tribute and remember you in silence……..
honoring your life went by so swift
Your life given, we salute and honor your ultimate gift.”
AMEN AMEN.
Thanks to Johan S. for the reflection.
Kids walking by the home office. Often early morning, but could be any time.
My back to the door, stand-up desk, tapping away in the laptop; likely Excel or SAP, or toggling between both.
What do they see?
Do they know the efforts, the issues, the desire to do right by the business, solve the problems, get better?
Squeezing in parenting around business, or business around parenting? Is it the balance or the blend, work and the rest of your life?
What do they think?
Lots packed in; adventure, chores, errands, fun. With the kids, it’s all in the wheelhouse of what’s possible; and it was.
Some good lessons both ways; and some little victories that add to the foundation of their future.
So bright, I gotta wear shades; so bright, I gotta wear shades.
Doesn’t take much to find a little respite. Old BBQ fired up, coals burning hot, does the trick.
Chicken Thighs and Broccoli on the grill tonight.
Day on the wane, weekend eve, late start to dinner, no problem at all. Evening breeze, kids in the yard, sun sinking low, all good.
Thankful for the weekend. Thankful for the food to cook. Thankful for the backyard. Thankful for the ancient BBQ.
ALL GOOD.
I think I must have had these same feelings as a kid; it’s certainly a phrase we hear pretty often in our house: “I’m scared.”
It’s a catch-all phrase that the kids use when they don’t want to do something, their anxious about it, or they are in fact, scared.
The main strategy to combat the dislike, and especially the fear? Use that ol’ Thought Box I wrote on not too long ago.
Push all the bad thoughts out of the box, that one in your mind’s eye, and only let settle the good thoughts.
I think this is especially effective when you’re trying to go to sleep. Maybe is a good strategy for any apprehensive situation:
Push the bag thoughts out of your mind, push through to the other side.
It’s ok to be scared, but don’t let that apprehension or fear stop you from doing what you need to do, what you want to do.
“I’m scared.”
“Ok. But do it anyway.”
Nighttime banter, what’s the answer? Three little people, come alive, chase the steeple, as the nighttime wanes to bedtime,
What’s the right time to drop the hammer? Enough of the clammer, time for sleep, TIME FOR SLEEP.
Banter defined might inform, what’s the norm?
“the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks” ~
~ let them run a little as sleepy washes into the room, playful teasing, just a bit, then they’re easing off to sleep, then they’re easing off to sleep.
Nighttime banter, that’s the answer, off to sleep, off to sleep.
Another one that spoke truth to me somehow; not sure why; but from the first time until right this moment, this song, speaks.
REM.
THANK YOU.
“Me In Honey”
I sat there looking ugly, looking ugly and mean
I knew what you were saying, you were saying to me
Baby’s got some new rules
Baby said she’s had it with me
It seems a shame to waste your time on me
It seems a lot to waste your time for me
Left me to love
What it’s doing to me
There’s a lot of honey in this world
Baby this honey’s from me
You’ve got to do what you do
Do it with me
It seems a shame to waste your time for me
Left me to love
What it’s doing to me
Knocked silly, knocked flat, sideways down
These things they pick you up and they turn you around
Say your piece
Say you’re sweet for me
It’s all the same to share the pain with me
It’s all the same, save the shame for me
Left me to love
What it’s doing to me
Baby’s got some new rules
Baby says she’s had it with me
There’s a fly in the honey
And baby’s got a baby with me
That’s a part, that’s a part of me
Left me to love
What it’s doing to me
Left me to love
What it’s doing to me
What about me?
What about me?
Writer(s): Berry, Mills, Buck, Stipe
Writing is fundamental; indeed, it’s a life skill we need in human society to strive and thrive and flourish. Writing is almost never wrong.
Trying to unravel thoughts? Write them down.
Have ideas to share? Write them up, get them out in the world.
True, writing pamphlets of hate, not so good. Spreading lies, promoting violence, evil dissent through the written word, no thank you. But that too tells you the power of writing.
The power of writing is what it does for yourself and for others too. Pour out the ideas, pour out the experiences, share the words, share the love.
GOOD.
