“Every minute someone leaves this world” by Marianne Baum

 (I have searched for some verification that Marianne Baum is actually the author - but thus far, have been unable to identify an authoritative source. Her story - and suffering - are heartbreaking)

“Every minute someone leaves this world behind. Age has nothing to do with it.

We are all in "the line" without knowing it.

We never know how many people are before us.

We can not move to the back of the line.

We can not step out of the line.

We can not avoid the line.

So while we wait in line:

Make moments count.

Make priorities.

Make the time.

Make your gifts known.

Make a nobody feel like a somebody.

Make your voice heard.

Make the small things big.

Make someone smile.

Make the change.

Make love.

Make up.

Make peace.

Make sure to tell your people they are loved.

Make sure to have no regrets.

Make sure you are ready…”

The Space Between Stimulus and Response

 

[Image by Benjamin Balazs from Pixabay]

  “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
 

~ Viktor E. Frankl (psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, author of "Man's Search for Meaning")

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl

Music that helps me focus my attention - when I need to do Deep Work

(Image by Konstantin Kolosov from Pixabay)

 

 [work-in-progress list...]

In order of preference (today):

1. The Best of Sade
   
2. The Definitive Rod Stewart (1971-2004)
   
3. The Four Seasons ("Le quattro stagioni", Vivaldi's violin concerto, composed around 1718−1720)
   

 

2022 Thanksgiving Reflections

(Photo by Annie Nyle on Unsplash)

 Things for which I am thankful:

• My sister.
• Friendships, both old and new - and especially those that have endured (one - or many) decades
• Access to Opportunity - and meaningful work. Being able to contribute to the building of great technical solutions - that impact millions of people - and billions of dollars of business.
• That my health and strength remain sufficient to my needs and wants.
• Personal Freedom and Liberty.
• Freedom from want and a mind that is satisfied with enough - and freedom from the hunger to continually crave more.
• Peace - from the ravages of violence and war.
• Peace - under my roof - and within my soul.
• The ability to enjoy my own company - and to be alone, without being lonely.
• The ability to still find moments of peace of mind, even in the face of a grief that does not end - as a parent's decline into dementia accelerates.
• Bountiful harvests - both literally and figuratively.
• Glasses that allow me to still read the many books I have loved - and those that are yet unmet.
• A warm dry bed.
• the deep sleep of a (mostly) untroubled mind.
• Freedom from hunger - and at least one good meal per day.
• The ability to observe, to think, to plan, to wait, to fast.
• The wisdom of frugality
• A heart that is quick to laughter - and finds humor, even in the darkest night