Life 5.3

I feel like an episode of Star Trek.

Captain’s log: Stardate 06272021, 53rd loop around the Sun.

Or The Twilight Zone! Or Big Mouth! Pick your series to binge. Here we are. The next episode of the next season of the new series by the same artist! Hold on for the ride.

Inspired by Julie, Julia and several other movies or songs that influenced me over the years, here I am. In early retirement. Or taking a year sabbatical. Or, as they say in some circles, a mid-life crisis. Or two. But so far, no sports car. Although…

Some might call this taking a year to find myself. Which, maybe I should have done at 22. or 18. or 43. Or 50. Or 2020. or 53. Wait…

Or maybe I did at 18, 22, 43, 50, 2020, 53. Like I do every year. It’s called Life.

So you see. It’s just another day, in another year. Not Life 2.0. Just Life.

What’s different? What’s the same?

Today, I’m able to make different choices. For that I’m grateful. Those choices sometimes mean changing the story in my head. Because THAT’s where I let myself down. And sometimes other people. Reliving the same story line, with different actors.

Sounds so cliche I know. Until it becomes one’s reality.

Anyway. (Awkward transition…)

Today’s Focus

So the words for today are:

• Practice
• Courage
• Connection
• Peace
• Joy

And if I were running for office, or going into early retirement to live my life (what!? novel concept!), my platforms today would be:

• The art of being human, especially intergenational ones in community
• The practices of abundance, compassionate communication & ABCD
• Sexual wellness, especially in repressive, conservative midwestern USA
• Harm reduction as a form of long-term recovery from addiction & self-harm
• The arts, including music, photography & performance art – especially spoken word, flow arts, and musical theater
• Travel & storytelling

Words of Wisdom

And I’m reminded of the following tips I picked up along the way:

• Wherever we go, there we are.
• We are all doing the best that we can.
• Show yourself some compassion & grace.
• Show others some compassion & grace.
• Don’t be stingy!
• BE
• Be you!
• Everyone has a story.
• Everyone hurts.
• Hurting people hurt.
• Maybe they are not the enemy.
• We are all the villain in someone else’ story.
• The power of a question.
• Listen.
• Not my circus, not my monkeys!
• When in doubt, be kind.
• I can choose to be right, or I can choose to be happy. I choose to be happy (most days).
• Some forms of suffering are by choice.
• People are in our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
• No, you’re not alone. Really.
• You’re special, you’re just not unique. Or is that the other way around?
• Don’t be The Dragon Lady. Just don’t. Move on. That’s so 90’s.
• Velvet rage is a thing. But don’t let it consume you.
• Focus on the connection in social media. Leave what doesn’t serve you. It’s not all evil & conspiracy. It is what it is.
• That which you despise most in other people is in fact what you despise the most in yourself
• What are you going to do about it?
• All of my stories are true. Some of them actually happened.

I just keep finding new ways to express myself. And I’m ok with that. This year, it will be intentional, with purpose. Isn’t that what Life is supposed to be about anyway?

Today’s Inspiration

The best thing I’ve seen on social media this week:

Here is to a life of peeling back the layers of wallpaper, facades, masks, and personalities. And to choosing what story we are willing to share now.

Here is to rediscovering or discovering.

Here is to The Right Reverend Lord C. August Peacock III.

Keep tellin’ the story.

Indianapolis, IN. 27.06.2021