nine

everyday in your life is a special occasion.

the month of October is a happy time around here. it holds a plethora of birthdays. and we love to celebrate. no one should consider the day just another ‘x’ on the calendar. it is a day to be pampered. spoiled. recognized. loved. downright adored.

but then I stopped to think of why we don’t treat each other kindly and considerately the other 364 days out of the year. and it truly came to mind this morning when my husband called to say he was in a little fender bender. turns out he was in the drive thru line at Starbucks when another driver backed into him. everyone is okay – damage is minimal. but he said people were screaming at him to get out of the way. move his car. stop blocking traffic. I asked if anyone asked if he (or the other driver) were okay. if anyone offered assistance. a helping hand. he said no. just folks upset that they weren’t getting their double mocha frappuccino.

now I digress here a bit. tying in birthday celebrations and everyday courtesy. but it is not such a far stretch to think that one good deed begets another. and that same kindness. compassion. care you show to a loved one on a special day in their year shouldn’t be extended to a neighbor – known or unknown – every day of the year. a special occasion.

there is a saying that goes ’be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares’. that is only the half of it. we should behave well because it is the basis of being human.

peace.

eight

happiness begins with facing life with a smile and a wink.

I attended a meeting this morning where a group gathered to better relations between a local university and the community. the goal to make our smallish city a college town. right now we are a town with a college. for decades the two have politely mingled but always stayed fairly separate. there is a definite disconnect between the two twains. the university has much to offer the community. culture. sports. art. education. the city has much to offer the students, faculty and administration. win-win.

a panel discussion comprised of students and faculty addressed the 50-odd attendees. some good points were made. create a more welcoming environment for the students. inform the campus population of special events and happenings. offer more convenient business hours and specials to students. establish walking and/or bike paths between campus and the historic downtown. all noble suggestions. ideas that accommodate student, staff and the general public. good for the city and good for the university. everyone benefits. and everyone is in agreement.

problem solved.

I smile. I wink. my stomach knots. not to be sarcastic. but i’ve heard the tune before. same lyrics. different vocalists. with each new generation of student and business leaders the same suggestions are made. all are in agreement. and somehow. somewhere. somewhy. the issues still exist. the key to it all is as simple as solving the problems of the world. communication. how hard can that be? we can all work together. for the common good. stand proud on that soapbox. shout from the highest point. we can do it. all we have to do is listen and work together. never never never give up!

let me be the first to sing the praises of the plan. let everyone join in on the chorus. repeat I am part of the solution. tell me how to help. give me a task. but it needs to be more than talk. if not it becomes rhetoric. worse yet, apathy and frustration. and where does that lead? nowheresville. and we’ve spent too much time in that town already.

it is a basic need, happiness. key to survival. essential to co-existence. easy. challenging. oh so accomplishable. it is a beginning. optimistic? idealistic? you bet.let’s go!

peace.

seven

a truly rich life contains love and art in abundance.

Marc Chagall said ‘in our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. it is the color of love.’ I don’t know what the color of love is. but I have learned to appreciate. savor. absorb. both. my life is blessed but still is relatively poor in understanding the meaning of either.

I am a thespian. a miser. a banker. a philanthroper. an eager student. desperate at times to know the true definition. content at times by the simple concept. delighted always in the beauty of both.

peace.

six

blame it on the dog.

at the end of last month I was inspired to challenge myself to write every day for the 31 days of October. excited, I knew that I would start on a pet project and that the premise of the 31 days would carry me forward. encourage me. ever onward. unfortunately, I am now six days into the 31 day quest and have not jotted down one word of toward my mission. good grief.

I had coffee with a friend this morning. she is asking for my help on a little project of her own. we work well together. two peas of complimentary colors. she took up the 31 day journey without fail. and like a good friend, encouraged me to get an albeit late start. but always better late than never.

revealed in my delayed start are three rather simple things.

one procrastination isn’t a pretty thing. sometimes helpful. usually guilt ridden. a promise made to myself. broken by none other. not the end of the world, but disappointing to me. and definitely something that I can easily improve upon. starting today.

two friendship is the perfect blendship. it enables us to succeed and fail equally. dramatically. and land softly with a hand outstretched to applaud or help us up.

three dogs are the best. they love unconditionally. care exponentially. give unendingly. just a look into their soulful eyes make me a better kinder person. I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.

my furry child and faithful companion is not at fault. he remains ever vigil. always there to listen. give paws to reflect. and allow me to start the month of October a few days late.










peace.