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Sunday, November 27, 2022

The Other Side of Karma -

  



Lots of we commoners who have trudged, floated or cruised many laps around the sun have learned that there’s some truth to - “What goes around, comes around.”  If we’re paying attention, we don’t have to look too hard to find examples in our own lives.

    

Well, last week I was!  It was a beautiful, crisp morning at the therapeutic riding stable where I volunteer.  The sun was making its way up over the paddock pen and was reflecting off the tops of the frozen horse buns. I was chipping away at the tundra when I noticed a beautiful rose gray-colored mare admiring my handiwork. In an instant I was transported back to one of my first real jobs - scooping out dog pens at my Uncle Bill’s German Shepherd kennel.  Back in the day, I would fill maybe a garden bucket with malodorous crap. However, I got paid in real cash and at the end of the day if I was lucky, I would get to have a Rolling Rock beer with that fine though complex man. He was after all, the doctor who would inspire me to take the convoluted road toward a career in medicine.  

     

I got to thinking - I wish I could have told that teenager - “Hang in there, You have no concept of the heights to which you’ll climb.  Someday, after you’ve spent thousands of dollars and many years learning your trade, you’ll work your way up to this day November 22, 2022  when you’ll be dumping an entire wheel-barrel full of horse manure into a compost pile - AND LOVIN’ IT .


Saturday, November 26, 2022

Just A Small Stretch of the Imagination

  


“We appeal as human beings to human beings;

           remember your humanity 

               and forget the rest.”    - Albert Einstein


     This past Sunday, a cold, destitute, homeless man

named “Richard” wandered into our church. The public library

was closed and escaping the single digit temps outside

made perfect sense.

     While we gathered around the social hall table - he took

In one hot cup of coffee and let out three napkins full

of regrets. His story was patchy, sad, and discombobulated.

However, with surprisingly little effort, I was able to imagine

myself in his well-worn shoes had I not had so much support

from my very imperfect family, friends - - - and the random 

kindnesses and decency of everyday people.


     Examples of these wonderful human encounters will be 

introduced in some of my subsequent posts - Please stay tuned.


https://www.janery.com/blogs/news/9-ways-to-help-the-homeless-this-winter



Thursday, November 24, 2022

Giving Thanks - But For What?

 


      As the gray hairs replace those that were so recently brown but originally red, I’ve noticed that what I value has changed.  Sure, there are the usual - family, friends, and stuff.  Then there are the things like freedom and good health - which I’m not so quick to take for granted. Then there are personal gifts I’ve been blessed with.  All of these are still very important.

     At one point, I thrived on, and looked forward to, big family get-togethers, traveling, and all kinds of new experiences - I still do.  But good friends and my parents have moved on to greener pastures and perspectives change.

     Nowadays, I’m more inclined to savor time with individual people, and those random encounters with beauty or kindness.  And then there are moments of sheer joy as I connect with those closest to me - like holding my granddaughter’s hand and watching my grandson’s beaming smile as we watch the end of the movie “Lyle, Lyle the Crocodile” - and Lyle SINGS!

     Some of my greatest gifts these days are simply moments for which

I am eternally grateful.