"Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality. No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being unless he loves him. By his love he is enabled to see the essential traits and features in the beloved person; and even more, he sees that which is potential in him, which is not yet actualized but yet ought to be actualized. Furthermore, by his love, the loving person enables the beloved person to actualize these potentialities. By making him aware of what he can be and of what he should become, he makes these potentialities come true."
— Viktor Emil Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning)
Facebook is really ticking me off. The upload to this blog worked after years of inactivity. Facebook may or may not upload on any particular day.
My wife has lived in this house 34 years and we've been married 13 years and these are the first steps to our hillside. Both of us have been amazed at how much I've been doing in our little domain. I can only explain how much more satisfying digging a notch for a step or painting lawn furniture is than sitting, waiting for responses from Facebook. And now I find it is easier to post a picture to Facebook via Networked Blogs than it is posting directly from my phone.
Maybe I'm telling my Grandkids that I value working with my hands, creating. Just don't wait until you're 71 years of age to discover real satisfaction in life.
My son and daughter-in-law announced that they will be having a new Grandchild for me, somewhere around March 12. I'm so excited. They have been trying for 5 years and all their patience and 'hard work' paid off.
So for me, a new reason to stay as fit as I can be in order to play with my Grandchild. A new reason to find ways to make sure our society and this planet is a fit place for growing up. And if this space hasn't been so in the past, it could be a space to share my 'Values Will.' A place where I can share the values that I find important for my kids and Grandkids to see.
Nothing like being hit by a 2 x 4 to awakened! But O so sweet!
For those who don't follow me on Facebook, you need to know that after watching a spot on Zen Gardens on the CBS Sunday Morning show, a space in our yard cried out 'Empty me'.
So below is the space that called to me.
... and below is the few free rocks that I found in the vicinity.
I may not continue to show intermediate photos, but if I do I'll try a view that covers this same initial image.
Thomas Moore writes about how the Irish, drink Scotch Whiskey after talking about 'soul'. I find that after I work on something for my soul, like this garden is a reason to drink Scotch. Up to now I've saved my drinking for when I run the vacuum for my wife. I only have to be careful when I do the stairs.
Took a trip to Plumline Nursery, here in the environs of Pittsburgh, Pa. My wife promised me an experience that I would like. More than 'like', I was enchanted.
Oh! and one helpful hint from your friends at 'Live Better On Less', If you can't afford the admission to Phipps Conservatory in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, you can visit Plumline for free.
@thomasmooreSoul: We can all focus our work so that it makes at least a small contribution to humanity and in turn gives us a satisfying sense of purpose.
Thomas Moore's Twitter feed can be seen at: http://twitter.com/#!/thomasmooreSoul
Our Choice in every Moment, to Live Mechanically, or to Live with Soul. - "The approach which brings out our humanity is one which calls on us to be compassionate and empathetic toward other people. Our lives are shaped by that empathy and by that compassion, and we then become people who live with others—not as machines, but as loving, caring humans in a family, in a marriage, and in a community."
Don't get me wrong, I still love words, their magical ability to hurt or heal, to discourage or inspire, ... But when I try to read a book, one that I would normally want to add to my library, something is missing. I believe that when the author tries to set a feeling of dissatisfaction, that he will remedy, I don't feel dissatisfaction with my life. This! This moment is! Enough for me. ♥
On Facebook I've been posting some very personal feeling that are sweeping in as I approach retirement from my 7 year messenger service, reception job. Just thought I'd make them a little more public posting them here.
"Now the average man, looking at himself ... Doesn't feel there is anything much wrong with him. But some men develop a curious inner dissatisfaction ..." - Colin Wilson
Colin Wilson describes the robot as the part of the mind that handles our habitual activities... We use less and less of our consciousness, and live more and more out of routine.
The question becomes 'How do we wake ourself from the robot, mechanical living to full consciousness?
.. man shall not live by one metaphor alone. In fact, one author, says we use "one metaphor for every 10 to 25 words, or about six metaphors a minute." The metaphor in the forefront of my life today is how habitual living gradually takes over my consciousness leaving me "asleep". As Colin Wilson describes, "If I am preoccupied, he eats my dinner for me. He may even make love to my wife. I miss a great deal of interesting and fresh experience because I have become too dependent on the robot."
... is it inevitable that in becoming who I am to become, the now me, that so many have to be affected negatively? I am happy with who I have become after two divorces and a bout in a fundamentalist church. But so much "collateral damage". Could I have become me, without it? I'm sorry!
.. as I prepare to leave my reception job, and all I tried to bring to it, things will go on as if I had never been there at all. I will have never left any lasting legacy. Is that how the end of my life will feel?
I've been aware that we should approach all of life as an Erotic Activity. But, everywhere I looked for a poetic description of that kind of life, it seemed to always focus on sex. Yesterday, while exploring a new book by Wayne Muller, "A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough." Here, on page 42, Muller says,
"... Vital relationships are, by nature, erotic. They are sensual, in that they are informed by all our senses, our openness to see, taste, touch, smell everything with a willingness to be taken, to be surprised, swept off our feet. We participate in an erotic relationship whenever we engage the world with full sensual awareness - for example, whenever we bite into an apple. By itself, an apple has no taste, no piquant flavor of late summer. Our mouth, lips, and tongue, our taste buds by themselves have no taste of apple. The magnificent flavor of a crisp apple freshly picked by hand comes alive the instant the apple enter our mouth. One small bite, and a sudden eruption of juices, tongue, saliva, taste buds, and apple flesh create the necessary erotic intercourse that sets free the awesome taste, the flavorful wonder of apple."
I urge you to read the excerpt available on Amazon Here:
In addition, I found his observations about how difficult it is nowadays, to feel like we have enough, so very powerful.
"We have forgotten what enough feels like.
... we feel powerless; no matter how strong our hearts, or how good or kind our intentions, each day the finish line seems farther away, the bar keeps rising, nothing is ever finished, nothing ever good enough."
I posted this next paragraph as my Facebook status, and I considered it important enough to post it here, as my first post of the New Year of 2011.
Often, I feel invisible and unheard, by the rest of the world. I'm coming to realize I've had the remedy, very near. When I turn to my wife, say what is on my mind, I feel heard, and understood. She may not agree with me, but she understands. I truly have Mo Anamcara, "my soul friend". Although all Six of These Characteristics are her's, this sentence is truly Her -"They 'do' life as love in action, which comes through the flow of their essential self." ♥ ♥ you Donna.
In Biblical Days, it was expected that the older generations would pass a blessing onto the younger. Although I'm in good health, right now, I'd liked to pass a Blessing onto future generation. So, to my children, that I have contact with, and those that I don't ... to my Grand Kids, those who I do not have contact with, and those I may never see, ... and to my nieces and their children ....I Hope Your Dance!
Here a video of the lyrics for that Country song by Lee Ann Womack.
... and for those of you, without access to video, here are the text of the lyrics:
I Hope You Dance
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder You get your fill to eat But always keep that hunger May you never take one single breath for granted God forbid love ever leave you empty handed I hope you still feel small When you stand by the ocean Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance Never settle for the path of least resistance Living might mean taking chances But they're worth taking Lovin' might be a mistake But it's worth making Don't let some hell bent heart Leave you bitter When you come close to selling out Reconsider Give the heavens above More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance (Time is a real and constant motion always) I hope you dance (Rolling us along) I hope you dance (Tell me who) I hope you dance (Wants to look back on their youth and wonder) (Where those years have gone)
I hope you still feel small When you stand by the ocean Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance Dance I hope you dance I hope you dance (Time is a real and constant motion always) I hope you dance (Rolling us along) I hope you dance (Tell me who) (Wants to look back on their youth and wonder) I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)
(Tell me who) I hope you dance (Wants to look back on their youth and wonder) (Where those years have gone)
In his online course, Thomas Moore asks participants to decide on a Philosophy of Life that has room for both the good, uplifting, inspiring times and those difficult times that come to us all, at one time or another. I wrote this as mine: "Life is a Dance!" (short version) or "Dance to all the Rhythms and Notes of Life, including the spaces in between the Notes" (Long Version.
Of course, there is always a country music song that speaks of real life (especially the downside). Here is a video of John Michael Montgomery's "Life is a Dance, You learn as You Go".
.... and just in case, you can't watch videos, here are the lyrics: When I was fourteen I was falling fast For a blue eyed girl in my homeroom class Trying to find the courage to ask her out Was like trying to get oil from a waterspout What she would have said I can't say I never did ask and she moved away But I learned something from my blue eyed girl Sink or swim you gotta give it a whirl
Life's a dance you learn as you go Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow Don't worry about what you don't know Life's a dance you learn as you go
The longer I live the more I believe You do have to give if you wanna recieve There's a time to listen, a time to talk And you might have to crawl even after you walk Had sure things blow up in my face Seen the longshot, win the race Been knocked down by the slamming door Picked myself up and came back for more
Life's a dance you learn as you go Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow Don't worry about what you don't know Life's a dance you learn as you go
Life's a dance you learn as you go Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow Don't worry about what you don't know Life's a dance you learn as you go Life's a dance you learn as you go Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow Don't worry about what you don't know Life's a dance you learn as you go
Life's a dance Life's a dance Life's a dance Take a chance on love Life's a dance You learn as you go
I could understand your complaint that I haven't written much about our dancing, so here, I remedy that. Every other Thursday, we look forward to 3 days off from our jobs: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and sometimes a Thursday and/or Monday. We have this ritual dance to celebrate.
This first video is of our unrehearsed raw joy;
and this is a more refined, performance piece.
This is also a test to see if it posts to Facebook. I hope you still respect us in the Morning. LOL
I have often been plagued by the realization that I will never do anything "Great" with my "one wild and precious life". After all, my grade school teacher, wrote on my report card, "Kenneth, has the necessary attributes for becoming a great man." How disappointed she would be. But, I am acquiring a vision of what truly would create a "Great" life for me and those with whom I come in contact.
All of you who have visited this blog know that I have a great affection for Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul. In his book, "Writing in the Sand", Moore summarizes the Gospel Spirit this way: "Firstly, you cultivate a deep respect for people who are not of your circle and whom society rejects...Secondly, you do everything possible to deal effectively with demonic urges in yourself and in society. You do something about aggression, paranoia, narcissism, greed, jealousy, and violence... Thirdly, you play the role of healer in every situation.(Elsewhere, he explains that the word for healing can be translated "care".)... Finally, you stay awake and don't fall into the unconsciousness of the age. You also help others wake up to a thoughtful life imagined in fresh, original, and convivial ways."
What a radical challenge and worthy purpose for any life.
I hope you find these words leave you wanting to read Writing in the Sand. Remember that you can often read extensive excerpts of the books that interest you, at Amazon(dot)com's "Look Inside Feature" and at books.google(dot)com.
