Feel-good stories.

I like reading the feel-good stories that circulate on the social media that read. These stories often evoke strong positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, and hope. These emotions counterbalance the negative news and stress that we face if we read the news. Stories of kindness, generosity, and overcoming adversity create a sense of uplift and inspire me to feel better about our world.

Feel-good stories create a sense of community and shared experience. They spark conversations, encourage empathy, and foster connections among those who might feel isolated. The comments and sharing of these stories create a ripple effect, where more people are inspired and share their own positive experiences.

I belong to several groups, and I find that I stop reading them from time to time because they become saturated with negative content. Feel-good stories provide a counterbalance and maintain a balanced perspective while reinforcing the idea that there is still a lot of good in the world.

Hearing about acts of kindness, resilience, and human decency can encourage people to engage in similar positive behaviours. For example, a story about a stranger helping someone in need might motivate others to perform acts of kindness themselves.

Feel-good stories can prompt users to reflect on their own lives and experiences. This reflection can deepen empathy and encourage us to appreciate the good in our own lives. Positive stories have a high potential to go viral, that is partly due to their emotional appeal and the desire to share uplifting content. When a story resonates with many people, it can spread quickly across social media platforms, reaching a wider audience and amplifying its impact. Overall, feel-good stories cater to our desire for optimism and connection, which is why I enjoy reading them

A Challenge in Tracking Resurfaced Social Media Stories

I thought about the idea of resurfacing positive posts and thought I would look for a few more of these posts, but unfortunately, it's difficult to provide a definitive list of resurfaced positive social media stories. Stories often resurface organically due to user engagement, virality, and algorithm changes, making it challenging to track a precise timeline. The same story might have been shared on multiple platforms at different times, making it difficult to determine a single "initial posting" date.

Having said the above, some of the most popular positive stories that frequently resurface across social media over the years include Penguin Hopping into a Boat to Escape Orcas First posted in 2021, this heartwarming clip of a penguin escaping orcas by jumping into a tourist boat went viral across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. It has since resurfaced multiple times due to its charming nature and has accumulated millions of views. The "Ice Bucket Challenge" (2014). This viral campaign to raise awareness for ALS started on Facebook but quickly spread to Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms. It resurfaced in 2015 and 2016 during ALS awareness months, generating millions in donations for the cause. Taco Bell’s Snapchat Campaign (Cinco de Mayo), Taco Bell's famous Snapchat filter for Cinco de Mayo, where users’ faces turned into tacos, was first launched in 2016. It resurfaced in social media stories about successful marketing campaigns and continued to be referenced on Instagram and Twitter in marketing discussions. Museum of Ice Cream on Instagram (2016), With over 72 million engagements using the hashtag #museumoficecream, this campaign highlighted the museum's fusion of physical and digital experiences. It has been reposted on Instagram and Facebook, especially when discussing the intersection of art, branding, and social media.

These stories typically resurface on popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, where they continue to bring smiles and garner engagement from users.

Life Lessons

The following is a lesson about how what we write on the net, always remains. A friend posted the message 42 Life Lessons. Somewhere along the line, someone made a mistake and listed the author’s age as 90. That attracted a lot of attention. I enjoyed reading the post and did some research about the post. You may see the post on one of the social media platforms or have seen it recently. The post was written on May 28, 2009. I do not take credit for the information about the author, it was gathered by Patricia Stoltey another author whose work has won awards. Her 2014 novel, Dead Wrong, was a finalist in the thriller category of the 2015 Colorado Book Awards.

The author of the post sent to me is Regina Brett, a columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. She’s real and interesting, but definitely not 90 years old. A follow-up post on June 6, 2009, is entitled: Life’s lessons Speed up on the Internet; 90 years of living in 50: Regina Brett. Check out Regina’s bio as well.

Think about this; one tiny blog post written from the heart is now travelling around  the world making people nod and smile.

The text sent to me via FaceBook starts below. 

Written by a 90-year-old, 42 lessons life taught me 💖. The following was written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.(amen 💖💖💖)

20. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.💖

22. The most important sex organ is the brain.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive but don’t forget.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood.

35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. (I love this one)

37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

39. The best is yet to come...

40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

41. Yield.

42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. This is an important holiday with cultural, historical, and social significance. It serves as a time for Canadians to express gratitude and appreciate the blessings in their lives.

Thanksgiving in Canada dates back to the 16th century when English explorer Martin Frobisher held a ceremony to give thanks for surviving his journey to the New World. Over time, it evolved to include celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is linked to the harvest season. Early settlers in Canada celebrated successful harvests with feasts to mark the end of the farming season and prepare for the long winter ahead.

Thanksgiving reflects key values such as gratitude, community, and appreciation for nature. These are deeply embedded in Canadian culture, and the holiday fosters a sense of national identity and unity. But Thanksgiving also starts a flurry of celebrations of not only thanks but of hijinks for Canadians. 

We may not think about this, but there is a link between the holiday of Thanksgiving and the greeting of ghosts and goblins at your door on October 31. While Thanksgiving and Halloween are distinct holidays with different historical and cultural roots, there are several interesting links and influences between the two traditions that we don’t think about or perhaps even realize.

One of the most noteworthy links is the tradition of masking and dressing up, which has a shared history between the two holidays. Historically, Thanksgiving in the United States had a tradition of "masking" or "mumming," where children would dress up in costumes and go from door to door, often seeking treats or engaging in playful pranks. This tradition was adopted by Canadians and predates the modern practice of trick-or-treating associated with Halloween.

Tad Tuleja, a folklorist, argues that Thanksgiving masking is a "missing link" between European traditions and American Halloween. He suggests that the practice of dressing up and going door-to-door during Thanksgiving was later adopted and adapted into the Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating in the 1930s.

The evolution of Halloween traditions has also been influenced by other holidays, including Thanksgiving. As Halloween became more commercialized and widespread, it absorbed elements from various cultural and seasonal celebrations. For instance, dressing up in costumes, once a part of Thanksgiving celebrations, became a central aspect of Halloween.

Fall is both the beginning of the end of the season and the start of the rebirth of the seasons. Our fall celebrations of Thanksgiving and Halloween contribute to the festive and celebratory atmosphere of the fall season. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of this festive period, emphasizing family gatherings, traditional meals, and expressions of gratitude. Halloween, occurring later in the season, continues this spirit of celebration, focusing on costumes, decorations, and community events. This sequential celebration creates a prolonged period of festive activity, with each holiday building on the excitement and communal spirit of the previous one.

The link between the celebration of Thanksgiving and Halloween is rooted in historical traditions, cultural influences, and the shared festive spirit of the fall season. The historical practice of masking and dressing up during Thanksgiving has contributed to the modern trick-or-treating tradition of Halloween. Both holidays play significant roles in shaping the seasonal celebrations and communal activities that define the autumn and early winter months.

Barbieland vs. The Real World—Lessons for Barbie & Kens

My thanks to my friend Ken for this idea.  If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Our organization took a group of seniors to see it and the reviews were all very positive. It is not a children's movie, it resonates with adults or at least seniors.

This movie sends many messages, with stereotypical Barbie living a perfect life. However, she lacks an occupation, which leaves her feeling empty when she starts to malfunction. The movie offers lessons for both Barbies and Kens. Barbie realizes that being just an "idea" of a woman no longer fulfills her. Her path to joy involves embracing her humanity, including all its complexities, heartaches, and imperfections.

The Barbie movie unfolds in two worlds. One is Barbieland, a hyper-feminized doll land, while the other is the Real World, where men mostly hold power, and women struggle to be heard. Initially in Barbieland, Barbie and the other Barbies enjoy power and influence without facing the sexism, oppression, or insecurities that human women endure. Ken's role in Barbie Land is limited to following Barbie like a puppy, waiting for her attention without much significance.

The idyllic bubble of Barbieland bursts when Barbie experiences existential dread and insecurities, mirroring the thoughts of the human playing with her in the Real World. To address this, she and Ken venture into the Real World, where Barbie confronts the emotional weight of womanhood. She questions her worth, intelligence, capabilities, and beauty.

Meanwhile, Ken experiences male privilege for the first time, noticing how men in the Real World hold power, respect, and influence. He believes bringing these ideas back to Barbie Land is the key to his happiness. Ken transforms Barbie's Dreamhouse into a frat house, embracing hyper-masculine ideals.

Ultimately, the movie teaches valuable lessons. Barbie realizes that being an "idea" of a woman isn't fulfilling; true joy comes from embracing her humanity. Similarly, Ken learns that conforming to hyper-masculinity or being Barbie's sidekick won't bring happiness. He must discover his identity and desires on his own terms, symbolized hilariously by his wearing a tie-dyed hoodie with "I am Kenough" emblazoned on it.

Choice is not an option

 Over time I have heard this over and over again. “Everything is a choice.” This is, of course, true on a very basic level. However, the next line is presented as a stark choice. For example, Do I choose to seek the positive or the negative?  The light or the dark?  To help myself or hinder myself? 

Embracing the idea that "everything is a choice" can lead to profound insights and transformations in our lives. When we acknowledge that we have the power to choose our perspectives, attitudes, and actions, it opens up a world of possibilities.

Choosing to focus on the positive rather than the negative can drastically alter your experiences. I think we’d take more risks as we wouldn’t be so afraid.    I think life would be so much more fun and lighter and delightful.  And I think we would explode in our ability to learn and grow.

Choosing to embrace the light over the dark signifies a preference for optimism, hope, and brightness in life. Opting to help oneself rather than hinder oneself can lead to personal empowerment and self-improvement. It involves taking responsibility for our actions and decisions, working towards goals, and seeking support and resources when needed.

What if we embraced that life and learning is a gift where you can teach me, and I can teach you and we can also learn from each other. I think learning would be so much more fun and creative. Holding a perspective on life and learning as gifts that involve mutual teaching and self-discovery is enriching. Viewing learning as a collaborative and creative process where everyone has something valuable to contribute can make it more enjoyable and meaningful. As you move through life with this attitude you can foster a culture of sharing knowledge, learning from diverse perspectives, and embracing curiosity and exploration.

By approaching life with a mindset focused on positivity, collaboration, and growth, you can indeed experience more fun, lightness, and delight. Fear diminishes as you become more open to taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. This openness and optimism can lead to exponential personal and collective growth so you can constantly learn, evolve, and inspire yourself and others along the way.

Confusion, indecision, and uncertainty

Confusion, indecision, and uncertainty are like mischievous gremlins playing tricks on our minds, taunting us with their tantalizing dance of options. It's as if they conspire to keep us in a perpetual state of bewilderment, hoping to see us stumble and fumble our way through life's choices. But fear not, for within this chaos lies a silver lining, a hidden gem of hope.

Sometimes, when we find ourselves teetering on the precipice of a decision, it's tempting to rush headlong into an option that appears satisfactory, just to escape the discomfort of uncertainty. Yet, if we have the patience to wait, to let the sands of time sift through our fingers, an extraordinary thing may happen. A superior alternative might unveil itself, sparkling with such brilliance that it catches us off guard, almost like a playful tap on your forehead.

Imagine the sheer delight of that moment—the epiphany when clarity descends upon us like a gust of wind, sweeping away the fog of confusion that had shrouded our judgment. Suddenly, the world aligns itself in perfect harmony, as if the universe conspired to orchestrate this revelation solely for our benefit. It's an experience that can be both exhilarating and overwhelming, leaving us momentarily breathless as we surrender to its captivating allure.

In those instances, the universe seems to play the role of a whimsical matchmaker, bringing together two souls—the seeker and the sought-after—whose destinies were entwined in a cosmic dance. As we extend our hand towards this newfound option, we can almost feel the electric current of possibilities surging through our veins. We're swept off our feet, carried away by the sheer force of the enchantment that fills the air.

However, let us not forget the lessons taught by our mischievous friends, confusion and indecision. While the emergence of a better option may indeed be a captivating phenomenon, we must approach it with a touch of skepticism. Is this newfound clarity a genuine revelation, or merely a passing infatuation? Will it stand the test of time, or is it a fleeting mirage that will vanish as quickly as it appeared?

The key lies in maintaining a balance between patience and action, between embracing the serendipity that comes with waiting and the courage required to seize the opportunity when it arises. It's a delicate dance—one that demands both mindfulness and intuition. So, my dear friend, be ready to pounce when the moment is right, but also be open to the possibility that clarity may yet have more surprises in store for you.

Remember, life is a grand tapestry woven with threads of uncertainty. Embrace the confusion, revel in the indecision, and dance with the uncertainty. For it is within the interplay of these elements that the true magic of discovery lies, ready to sweep you off your feet and lead you towards a future brighter than you ever imagined.

Facing challenges, fear and loss with humour

It's an absolute law  that every challenge, fear, or loss you encounter bears gifts far more valuable than the price of the trouble they cause.

Ah, yes, the absolute law of life, where challenges, fears, and losses are like those little pranksters that show up unannounced at your doorstep. But fret not, my friend, for they come bearing gifts! Gifts so valuable that they make the trouble they cause seem like a mere drop in the bucket.

You're going about your day, minding your own business, and suddenly, the doorbell rings. You open it, and there stands a challenge with a mischievous grin. It hands you a beautifully wrapped package and says, "Hey, I heard you were getting too comfortable. Here's a little something to spice up your life!" Inside that package is the gift of resilience, the ability to bounce back stronger and wiser than before. Turns out, challenges are just personal trainers for your character!

But challenges aren't the only visitors on this comedic journey. Fear, oh fear, the ultimate trickster. It creeps in when you least expect it, hiding behind the curtains of your mind. But fear isn't all bad. It has a knack for disguising its gifts. When fear comes knocking, it hands you a mysterious package wrapped in uncertainty and whispers, "Here's a chance to discover your true courage!" Inside that package lies the gift of bravery, the power to face your fears head-on and conquer them like a majestic knight slaying a dragon.

And let's not forget about our dear old pal, Loss. Loss is like that friend who comes over unannounced, eats all your snacks, and leaves you feeling empty-handed. But hold on a minute! Before you give Loss the evil eye, take a closer look at the gift it left behind. It's a humble-looking package, slightly worn around the edges. You open it with caution, and voilà! Inside lies the gift of gratitude, a gentle reminder to cherish what you still have and to find joy in the simplest of things. Turns out, Loss is just a sneaky teacher, reminding us not to take life's blessings for granted.

So, embrace those challenges, fears, and losses with open arms, for they are simply delivering the most valuable gifts to your doorstep. And remember, in this cosmic comedy called life, laughter is the best way to unwrap those gifts and find the hidden treasures within. Happy unwrapping!

Do not make your life a parody of itself.

In her weekly blog, “The Marginalian by Maria Popova” talked about growing older and I thought about what she said and found this question and some ideas on an answer:

How can we, as we grow older not make life a parody of itself  if we believe that life is largely a matter of how we hold ourselves — our hearts, our fears, our forgiveness’s — along the procession of the years.

As we grow older, it's natural to contemplate the meaning and purpose of life and how to avoid it becoming a parody of itself. If we believe that life is largely influenced by how we hold ourselves—our hearts, fears, and capacity for forgiveness—along the journey of the years, there are several principles we can consider making the most of our lives:

Developing self-awareness allows us to understand our strengths, weaknesses, values, and aspirations. It enables us to make conscious choices and align our actions with our true selves.

Continuously seek opportunities for personal growth and learning. Engage in activities that challenge you intellectually, emotionally, or spiritually. This pursuit keeps life vibrant and prevents stagnation.

Nurture deep connections with family, friends, and community. Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive individuals adds richness to your life and provides a sense of belonging.

Identify your passions and find ways to incorporate them into your daily life. Engaging in activities that bring you joy, and fulfillment gives a sense of purpose and helps counteract the monotony that can arise with age.

Approach life with curiosity and open-mindedness. Embrace new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. It keeps the mind active, encourages personal growth, and prevents life from becoming predictable.

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the present moment and the blessings in your life. Mindfulness allows you to fully experience each day, savoring the simple pleasures and finding beauty in the ordinary.

Life is full of transitions and unexpected events. Embracing change and maintaining flexibility in your thinking and approach can help you navigate challenges and find new opportunities.

Prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional health. Regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and managing stress contribute to overall well-being, enabling you to enjoy life to the fullest.

Be true to yourself and live according to your values and beliefs. Avoid comparing your journey to others and resist societal pressures that may lead you astray from your authentic path.

You can lighten the weight of life's challenges and inject joy into everyday moments. Cultivate a sense of humor and learn to laugh at yourself and the absurdities of life.

Remember, these are guiding principles to help you shape your own unique journey. Life is a continuous process of self-discovery, and by holding yourself with an open heart, facing your fears, and practicing forgiveness, you can find meaning and fulfillment as you grow older, and life will not be a parody of itself.

To end with a quote from Simone de Beauvoir

There is only one solution if old age is not to be an absurd parody of our former life, and that is to go on pursuing ends that give our existence a meaning — devotion to individuals, to groups or to causes, social, political, intellectual or creative work… In old age, we should wish still to have passions strong enough to prevent us turning in on ourselves. One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion

Celebrate everyone, but how?

I recently saw a sign that said “Celebrate Everyone” I thought that was a great idea in theory but how do we do that on a practical level. Here are some ideas to celebrate everyone.

Let's celebrate everyone's unique qualities and quirks! Whether you're a morning person or a night owl, a cat lover or a dog enthusiast, we can all come together and appreciate the diverse tapestry of humanity. After all, life would be pretty boring if we were all the same. So, let's raise a glass to our individual quirks and toast to a world full of delightful differences!

Let's celebrate the joy of self-expression! Whether you have smooth moves or two left feet, it's time to hit the dance floor and let loose. Remember, the goal isn't to impress the judges on a reality show; it's about having fun and embracing the rhythm of life. So, dust off those dance shoes, crank up the music, and get ready to dance like nobody's watching... or at least like they're too mesmerized to judge your funky dance moves!

Life is full of little triumphs, and it's time we celebrated them all! From successfully untangling a pair of earphones to finding a matching pair of socks on the first try, these tiny wins deserve recognition. Let's start a movement where we high-five each other for conquering the mundane challenges that life throws our way. After all, it's the small victories that make the journey worthwhile, and we deserve a standing ovation for every one of them!

We all stumble and fall from time to time, but why not turn those missteps into a comedy routine? Let's celebrate our failures by transforming them into hilarious anecdotes that bring smiles to our faces. Share that time you mistook salt for sugar in your coffee or when you accidentally locked yourself out of the house wearing nothing but your pyjamas. Life's too short to take ourselves too seriously, so let's have a good laugh and celebrate our ability to find humour in even the most embarrassing moments.

Pyjamas all day, every day! Who says we need to dress to impress? Let's celebrate our casual side by declaring every day a pyjama party. Imagine the freedom of waking up, throwing on your comfiest PJs, and conquering the world with your relaxed style. It's time to bid farewell to restrictive dress codes and embrace the snuggly goodness of loungewear. So, grab your coziest onesie or your favourite worn-in pyjamas and join the revolution of celebrating comfort in style!

Remember, the celebration is all about inclusivity and finding joy in the little things. So, let's embrace our unique qualities, dance like nobody's watching, celebrate small victories, turn failures into comedy gold, and dress for comfort. Together, we can create a world filled with laughter, acceptance, and celebration for everyone!

The comfort of familiarity

A minister was giving what I call an “audition sermon” at a church, in hopes of being called as their pastor. After the sermon, members of the congregation were invited to ask questions. Like many churches, this one was becoming smaller and grayer as the members age. One person asked the minister what he would do to “grow” the church. He responded, “That depends on what you are willing to risk. Everyone like you is already here.”

This is true for many of us in our individual lives as well. We seek the comfort of familiarity – with people, events, ideas, beliefs. We shun whatever causes us discomfort. Pause for a moment and consider what might fall in that category. Take an honest inventory. Something might surprise you.

For example, I found that in certain circumstances, I was more concerned by what other people think than I realized. Even more, I was concerned by what I thought they might think. Since I generally see myself as someone who boldly marches to the beat of my own drum, I felt a little disappointed. That disappointment also caused some discomfort. I can also get impatient with people who do not behave the way I think they should. And I can feel awkward, and sometimes envious, around people who have what I describe as an “artist’s eye” on the world, a perspective that often seems mysterious and incomprehensible to me.

So, what happens if I stop defending the borders of my sphere and instead allow my sphere to expand to include whatever arises in my awareness? Nothing is denied. Go back to my list. Can I allow within my sphere my occasional concern with what other people think? And my related self-judgment? Can I accept that I am sometimes impatient or awkward? Can I recognize my absence of control over what other people think, say or do? And my attendant frustration? If I’m unable to embrace what I reject, can I embrace my rejection?

Things Grandpa tried to teach me:

 Things Grandpa tried to teach me:

1) Life is simpler when you plough around the stump.

2)A yellow jacket is faster than a John Deere tractor.

3) Words that soak into your ear are whispered, not yelled.

4) Meanness doesn't happen overnight.

5) Don't sell your mule to buy a plow.

6) Don't corner something meaner than you.

7) The best sermons are lived, not preached.

8) Most of the stuff people worry about never happens.

9) Don't squat with your spurs on.

10) Don't judge people by their relatives.

11) Don’t interfere with things that are not bothering you.

12) Letting’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it in

13) You can't tell how good a man is or a watermelon is till they are thumped

14) Always drink upstream from the heard

15) Never miss a good chance to shut up

 My Grandpa lived in a different time and in a different world. He was a farmer who lived in rural Saskatchewan, and he did not like the cities and never visited them. As you can see some of what he told me I could never use, but the thought was there. I have put in bold those ideas that I think are important, not only to farmers but to the rest of us as well.

 As we move on in life, we may decide to teach our grandchildren, grand nieces and nephews our views on life. What we need to remember is that they live in a different world than we did and advice that we give has been learned as we became successful in our world. Our advice, no matter how meaningful it is to us, may not be relevant to our grandchildren. Their world is different, and they may have to learn life’s lessons the way we did, by trial and error. Nothing wrong with that.

What do we carry?

If you are strong, I believe you have an obligation to help those of us who are weaker than you. if you have the strength of body, mind or of character, you have an obligation to help those who are not as strong as you are. The strong carry the weak, in my world, they do not bully coerce or take advantage of them.

If you are rich, remember that our society helped you get or stay rich. Our education system provided you with the opportunities to learn or the opportunity to tap in and learn from people that were/are smatter than you. Our taxes helped build the infrastructure that your business uses to get goods to market, our system of laws helps protect your wealth. So, in my world, the rich carry the poor. If you are healthy and happy, and you know people who are sick and sad, you have a responsibility to help them. Sick and sad people may not be able to look out for themselves. So, in my world, the sick, carry the sick, and the happy carry the sad. 

Why do or should we help, because at some point in our life, we were weak, sick, sad or poor and we were helped by others? Whether or not we remember, this was once our promise, to thank those who had carried us. 

Do you find yourself dwelling

Do you find yourself dwelling on the unimportant, stressing on the unintended, and freaking over the unknown? When you do this does it work for you? I doubt it, dwelling on the unimportant, or freaking out over the unknown simply doesn't work. I know because when I was younger, I did this from time to time and I found it was like lighting a match, in a dark room, to make sure no one spilled any gunpowder on my bicycle, under the stairs, near the back porch, in the dark of February.

Actually, some of what I just said was intentionally unimportant, to hopefully distract you from feeling any stigma for freaking out over earlier unknowns.

Why do we think stressing on the unintended or freaking out over the unknown will work, perhaps it because it allows us to be distracted from doing something rather than doing nothing? If we attempt to do something and something unintended happens, this means we have not considered all aspects of our plan so we are now faced with something we had not thought of that has happened. One way to face this issue is to embrace it, learn from it and incorporate it into what we do next. The other way is to stress about it, run from it and reject it, or we could just stress about it and do nothing. The best way to prevent this from happening is to think about what you want to do and consider all possibilities and how you will react to them.

What does freaking out about the unknown do for you except to increase your blood pressure, your anxiety and cause grief for people around you? If you don’t know what is happening or there is an unknown confronting you, get information about it before you act. Asking questions is a good method and a good way to start to find out what is going on, try it, it works.

Dwelling on the unimportant things in your life is a coping mechanism to help you hide from dealing with the important aspects of your life. We all know what is important to us and we need to deal with these first.

The path less chosen

Memories are made of this, is a refrain from an old song and it talks about how we make our memories. As we get older, time flies and it could be because of how we see time and how we make memories. In a new book, The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments by Meik Wiking. Published by William Morrow. Copyright © 2019 by Meik Wiking the idea of how to make memories is explored. According to the author, there is something called the reminiscence effect, or reminiscence bump. This bump is caused by the fact that we remember better new and novel things, and since those new and novel things decrease for us as we age, our memories are stronger of times when we were younger.

As teenagers, we experience our first breakup, our first love, our first kiss, our first time driving and these stay in our memories. In our twenties, we also experience many new events that also stay with us over time. In another post, I talked about how time flies and how we can change our perception to slow it down or speed time up. The way to slow down time is to experience more firsts and break out of our daily routine. When we were teenagers and 20 somethings, we had many firsts but as we hit our 60’s these firsts are harder to find. We may have become jaded and this causes live to speed up. Experiencing firsts and changes of the scene play an important role in organizing the way we remember our lives.

If we want life to slow down, to make moments memorable and your life unforgettable, try to harness the power of firsts. In your daily routine, it’s also an idea to consider how you can turn the ordinary into something more extraordinary to help you remember the event. It may be little things. If you always walk down the path well-trodden, it might make the day feel a little more extraordinary if you walk down the path less chosen. If you are always walking the path less chosen then perhaps it would be nice to travel the path well-trodden.

Ever thought about this

We want many things but need far less. The funny thing is that the less you think about how you can get something, like money, love, or laughter... the faster it will come.

Walkin' on sunshine, life is strange

Your fan club

Life can be difficult, we each wage battles to survive and to prosper,  would it make any difference if you knew that there are people who understand deeply, the battles you've waged? 

They know and have approved of the choices you've made. Each of us has our own fan club, the members of your fan club will be gathering with you tomorrow if they can. They will be celebrating the passage of another year in your life. The will be celebrating what you have taught them and the difference you have made in their life. 

They celebrate you just as you celebrate them. At one point, people got together tomorrow to celebrate a birth, but not as many of us are religious anymore. However, we still get together to celebrate, and we celebrate each other and the difference we make in each other's life. Well, believe it or not, you make a difference and have meaning for many people, celebrate the day with them and enjoy their company. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Did you ever wonder?

The odd thing about inspiration is that it often comes after, not before, a new journey is started.

Do you believe in miracles?

Do you believe in miracles? For thousands of years, many of us believed in miracles, which were considered a surprising and welcome event that was not explainable by natural or scientific laws as we knew them. Accordingly, because we had no explanation of what happened, we considered the event the result of an intervention of a supreme agency. Those that believe in a supreme agency have different visions of what that agency is and how the agency interacts with humans. That difference in vision has resulted in many terrible actions between humans. Some who believe in one vision, attack those who have another vision of this supreme agency.

As our understanding of natural and scientific laws expanded, those events which we used to consider miracles are now seen in a new light. But because many of us believe in a supreme agency we continue to believe in the idea that miracles can and do happen. 

I believe that we are in control of how we react to the events in our lives and because we are, we create our own miracles. Because we are in control we are entitled to as many miracles in a day that we want. You could create as many miracles as breaths you take. You control the events in your life; you control how they unfold, you control the miracles that happen in your life and any miracles you don't use, you can carry them over. 

All you have to do to create the miracle is expect it, then you will create the miracle you need.

Who is in your crcle?

Who is in your circle? When we are young, we have a large circle of friends and a larger circle of acquaintances. Over time that circle changes, I once read that we have a circle of influence (friends, family and acquaintances) of about 200 people. I am not sure if that number is true or not, but it is, I think, pretty close to the reality of our life. 

When we marry and invite people to our wedding we try to hold the party to close friends and family from each side. So, we take the time and have great discussions about who we should invite and who we could not invite. We eliminate from our list, those people who are not very close to us. This is hard for both the bride and the groom but once the elimination of people is completed, the wedding guest list is around 200 plus people. 

When we die, the notice goes out to all those who have known us and at most funerals, there are about 200 hundred people, made up of friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. They are not the same people who were at our wedding, because as we move through life our circle of 200 changes. 

Some years it expands, some years it contracts, but the size stays fairly constant--unless you are not a very nice person. In your life, you have people who love you, mentored you, who helped you, who helped, you mentored and you love. Those people play an important role in our life. John Lennon sums it up well in his song "In My Life"

"There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life, I love you more"

Think about this words and the people that surround you even now. They see, hear, and feel what you see, hear, and feel. They trade vantage points, study possibilities, and learn to think bigger. They boast about you, honour you, and smile at your jokes. They only ever argue over who likes you most.

Shhhh... they're reading this...