Petdad

There are some things in life that happen many times, over and over. There are some things in life that happen only once. There are some people in life who we make a point to see frequently. Those people are our families and friends. We typically see them on a regular basis, and even if not frequently, these people are held dear to our hearts.

Things come and go, but they are just ‘things’. Much of today’s American society is caught up in an upward spiral of materialism. Not good. Often the same individuals see others in life just as disposable as material goods in current possession. Talk about disposable.

Fortunately modern day society has opened its eyes to the problem of disposal, and is now much more aware of the long term impact of accumulated disposed products and ‘goods’.

A book I read some years ago penned this opening sentence, “It’s not about you”. Although I read the book in its entirety, that opening line was almost enough. It’s not about you. It’s not about me either.

It’s not about you. Think about it. Yes, humbling or at least it should be.

During our lifetime, there are some people who drift in, and others who drift out. Sometimes that is a good thing, and sometimes it is not. Those that drift in are those we meet by happenstance. A new acquaintance, yet still in the ‘drifter’ category until a level of significance is determined. Even then we may choose to drift those individuals out of our lives. No worry.

The people we bring into our lives are those we make a conscious effort to allow and show vulnerability. An understanding that extends beyond superficial acquaintanceship. Bringing someone into our lives is something we do by choice. It doesn’t merely ‘happen’ to us. We make that choice. We are proactive in the process. We willingly allow some, or all of our facade to become transparent so that these people see who we really are.

The people we bring into our lives are the ones we are hurt most when they are gone. Gone, as in no longer in our physical realm but never gone in the fabric of our being.

It’s not about me, it’s about those who made me.

Those who made me are the people who I have willingly brought into my life. The convoluted tangled web of my being is intertwined with the convoluted tangled web of my family, my friends, those whom I love. It matters big time if we can reach out and touch these people, but sometimes we cannot. That doesn’t change who I am and it doesn’t change who you are either. It’s not about us, it’s about the impact we make on those around us, and the impact others have made on us. Love.

For my pal Grant 5/14/06 – 1/8/20

Four hours, eighteen minutes, and twenty one seconds. It was grueling. Found under the I Remember tab is an essay about how I came to run my first marathon 19 years ago.

The only thing constant is change. Change is just that, change. There is no good change, and there is no bad change…it just is. Individual perspective to change is what causes and/or creates happiness or angst, and acceptance to change outcome therefore becomes necessary.

The new year will bring about many changes. Some within vision, and some unforeseen. I think a retrospective outlook will help us all learn how to better manage the uncertainty of change.

My latest essay, Mom is an Artist, found under the I Remember tab describes the influence my mom has has on my life as an artist/designer. Although I am now an elementary school teacher, I am first and foremost an artist and I bring that creative aspect of myself into the classroom at every opportunity. I LOVE art, and I love the aesthetic of what art brings to the psyche at a conscious and sub-conscious level. We LIVE art, whether we admit to that fact or not. Art, in one aspect or another, is a part of our everyday lives. Those in tuned to this very sentiment will be able to directly relate to my words. Those thoughtfully otherwise will find new ideas to ponder.

I’ve been looking at the Sky for years now and have never seen anything quite like the latest images displayed under the Sky tab.

Typically, I am not a fan of computer generated movies. However, there have been a small handful to date that I think are absolutely brilliant. The 2019 release of The Lion King fits into that category with it’s amazing realness and wonderful storytelling.

In 2004, when expanded use of CG was still in its’ relatively early stage, The Polar Express was released…and it was pure magic on the big screen. I loved it from the get-go. The production was thoughtfully crafted, and it had a message that actually means something significant. It taps into the heart and mind of what it means to be a human being, and the value of personal imagination and belief. Without these two humanistic qualities we would be automatons.

Fifteen years later, Irene and I still watch this movie at home every year and its’ magic never fades. Everyone has something that puts them in the magical spirit of the Holidays, and this one is mine.

Believe.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with the busyness of life, read my latest essay titled Busy, found under the Musings tab. It helped me to better understand much of what consumes the mind.

I started writing an essay yesterday about the artistic and creative influence my mom has had on my life. As is most always the case when I write, recalling the events which lead to the point of my essay, I find that the recall of memories keep growing as I ponder.

When I started writing the essay, I had originally planned to publish by today, but then was reminded of a phrase that my friend Drew used to say…’How long does it take to catch a fish?’ The answer is, there is no answer. One doesn’t know. It happens when it happens. One cannot rush art. One should also not segment art, but that the act of segmenting art is for another post on a different day.

I therefore allowed myself after writing more about mom today, to save the Draft and wait until the essay itself is ready to publish. I cannot and should not publish the essay if it is not ‘ready’. I’m also careful to avoid perfectionism here because there is no perfect essay. However, setting something ‘down’ and allowing it to simmer is probably often a good thing for us all to practice.

So perhaps this is something we could all do today. Allow the simmering process to occur more often than not. Sounds to me like this idea could be a good entry point for a calmer day.

I read a good book years ago that included the phrase ‘Everybody, everything, and all the events in your life are there because you have put them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you’.

Faith aside, this phrase and the book’s overarching message got me thinking… a lot. Those around us, what we do, who we interact with, outcomes of our actions, everything, is an action result of cause and effect. Whether it be ‘self’ free will, or bestowed free will, we have choices in our lives that will work to shape an outcome.

Let me bring this to the here and now. What choices am I going to make today to help shape a desirable outcome? Now, focus that same question to yourself. The desirable outcome doesn’t always need to be for ourselves, and it shouldn’t be anyway. We have the opportunity to help and serve others, each and every day. That alone is exciting.

Everybody, everything, and all the events in your life are there because you have put them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.

We live in an incredible time. Opportunity is everywhere and we have access to almost everything we desire. Computational technology is growing at an exponential rate, doubling approximately every 18 months. Astounding yes, this level of advancement, yet it is difficult to wrap your head around it. But I wonder what we will do with it all? I wonder where it will take us.

The future is exciting and frightening at the same time. I’m sure every generation has pondered the same sentiment, but not every generation has had access into potentiality of the human psyche as we are entering now. Where Will We Go?, a new essay found in the Musings tab, brings to light some challenges and ethical issues that our future selves will face.

I have always embraced technology, but I pause now and find myself thinking twice about where we will go with it.