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What matters?

The world seems… Well, pretty messed up.

Some of us are doing great. Many of us are doing okay. A lot of people are doing badly.

So, should I say something? Should I say anything?

This is the question I think we all grapple with. What makes sense for me may not make sense for someone else.

I’m not always sure it makes sense for me.

Still, we’re left with this opportunity every day. To use what we’re given, in ways that feel right for us. At times, we have to do things that don’t feel right. Bills have to be paid, and not all of us are fortunate enough to love what we do.

And we show up regardless.

I guess, in all of this, it’s important to just be a bit kinder to everyone, and to yourself.

Travel

At what point did visiting different places become spectatorial rather than experiential? Paul Fussell in his book Abroad considered that very issue over forty years ago.

I don’t know if you can travel and be separate, but you also can’t travel and homogenous. As such, travel seems both complicated and necessary.

It’s the only way to broaden your horizons.

Communication

Recently, I had a miscommunication with someone. More like an argument. But very one-sided.

When I get heated, I need to step away. Fortunately it doesn’t happen very often. There just seems to be a few who know how to rile me up.

And I’ve been wondering why. Why does it get to a boil? What is the thing that creates tension?

I’m certain it differs for everyone.

It is something I’m considering, though.

I heard someone say recently that if you’re 20, you’re going to be 50 in the blink of an eye. Now early in my 40s, I do have some thoughts about that.

For one, I don’t feel like time moves quickly. I understand that I can look back, in some of those days seem like yesterday. But a lot has happened.

Granted, I certainly don’t lead a typical life. Still, I do feel as if every year is a well-earned one. 

Sensory overload

Our senses don’t determine (for the most part) what makes it to our consciousness. Sense organs are responsible for collecting available stimuli.

Our brain, however – that limits info, to avoid overload. Pattern creation, filtering out noise, consistent stimuli often goes unnoticed.

Meditation slowly, methodically reintroduces awareness. The more you practice, the better you become at discernment.

There’s a moment happening, and it can be difficult to talk about. Even difficult to mention.

How can we have meaningful conversations?

How can we talk about anything else without addressing what’s happening?

That’s difficult to grapple with.

How we get back

We all face a moment when we’ve crossed a line.

In that moment, it seem impossible to backtrack.

You can’t put the toothpaste in the tube.

But, however uncomfortable it may be, you can apologize. And start something new.