A fresh idea came to mind recently; I think it might have some momentum.
Elevate her, it helps us both.
Listening. Enjoying. Engaging.
In this new family model, we sure benefit from better cooperation and teamwork. Easier all around with everyone aligned.
Giving it a try, anyway.
It’s a new approach, expanded mindset on my part: how I relate and cooperate, to better accommodate our oldest, and better support the whole family.
GOOD.
Blessed to have another long weekend up ahead, taking a couple days off work to make it a long weekend on the coast.
Annual trip, maybe close to 30 years running, more or less. Same group of five guys, “The Mexicans” (my nickname). Early on in the tradition we went over the border to Mexico one year; we’ve called it “Mexico” ever since.
Soul Time, straight up. I’ve written about these guys, this annual gathering, several times.
This time helps me calibrate my perspectives; this time helps me broaden my awareness; this time fills my soul from hours on end with people I admire, learn from, love.
So so blessed.
Ándale!
Several years back I wrote a piece about “No Fear” — at the time I mentioned “…in the face of the dragon…”, or something like that. I recall feeling strongly about the idea of standing up to things we might fear.
That theme has come up countless times, especially with my three kids, over the past five plus years. Fear comes up again and again. “I’m scared…”, it’s said all the time in our house.
What they sometimes mean is more, “…I’m anxious or nervous or uncertain about how things will go…”, something along those lines. Other times my kids are reasonably fearful, for one or another reason.
So fast-forward to more present time, I recently found this quite from the Brazilian author, Paul Coelho. I love it. It’s perfect. It’s on my facebook background. And now it’s also on the wall in our dining/living area at home too.
Let it be that we live this attitude every hour of every day.
“And one has to understand that braveness is not the absence of fear but rather the strength to keep on going forward despite the fear.”
— Paulo Coelho
Nearly a lifetime ago I first heard this song. From then until now it sustains me, it pulls me up, it pushes me forward, thank you, Triumph.
The days grow shorter and the nights are getting long
Feels like we’re running out of time
Every day it seems much harder tellin’ right from wrong
You got to read between the lines
Don’t get discouraged, don’t be afraid, we can
Make it through another day
Make it worth the price we pay
The Good Book says it’s better to give than to receive
I do my best to do my part
Nothin’ in my pockets I got nothin’ up my sleeve
I keep my magic in my heart
Keep up your spirit, keep up your faith, baby
I am counting on you
You know what you’ve got to do
Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
It’s your only way
All your life you’ve been waiting for your chance
Where you’ll fit into the plan
But you’re the master of your own destiny
So give and take the best that you can
You think a little more money will buy your soul some rest
You’d better think of something else instead
You’re so afraid of being honest with yourself
You’d better take a look inside your head
Nothing is easy, nothing good is free
But I can tell you where to start
Take a look inside your heart
There’s an answer in your heart
Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
Make it worth the price we pay
Every moment of your lifetime
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
Make it worth the price we pay
#wearamask😷 #covid19
Why so slow, touch and go, tick along, one thing at a time,
Easy, then not, happy then not, weird mood, struggle, the pot,
Call the kettle black, awhile, another trial, fun to the brim, bubble over,
Try again,
Tomorrow.
Everything slows, anticipation no more, now here. Recollection, a muse from the not too different future follows, kids messing, heart beat slowing, weekend…
“What is our true place in the world? All around it comes at us: what to see, hear, feel, the big three, there like it or not, want it out not, it’s real and now.
What we do with it, how we respond to it, that’s up to us, each of us, each time.
Choose to make it GOOD. Here’s a sample from everyday, just a sample, what my senses say:
Winter lights on the front tree, shining bright in the pre-dawn darkness;
Warm coat against the biting wind on an early morning walk;
Shake of the head, each dog with her collar on, jingle jingle jingle;
Cold water, one big gulp, after a long walk, thirsty;
Crackle of the wall furnace, heat slowing pouring down the hall;
First taste of coffee, hot; first taste of beer, crisp;
Soft skin on my kids’ cheek when I kiss each goodnight, each night;
BLESSINGS.
Weekend night slow, pace is different. Kids muddle about, so do I, a little more carefree, a little less stressed. Read a little more, stare a little more, exhale. #dadlife #dadslife #weekend
A glimmer of hope, that’s what I find;
That’s what I find when I look up close, when I’m open, eyes, arms, wide.
A bit of hope, a friendly tone, an unexpected embrace, literally, figuratively, over a screen, right in front of me,
Close to touch, pay gently, love gently, eternally, the glimmer will not die,
The glimmer in your eyes, in your heart, deep, will not die, remember,
Glimmer.
