A sudden weariness takes hold of me. Yawns escape with more frequency as the battle to fight them begins. And the nightly ritual starts again. I shut down the lights in the room… More
Well-Intentioned
Ending an email or a letter with Sincerely always seemed formal and stuffy to me. It never really felt genuine anyway. I choose to use Take care instead. The person’s welfare is important to me. I wonder if they ever really hear that?
Recently I’ve begun to say Be well instead. It still implies that a person’s well-being is important to me; it just shifts the message slightly. Take care says “please watch out for yourself because you never know what could come your way” while Be well says “farewell and feel well.” The tone is a positive directive to just do everything in your power to being or feeling good. I really like that.
It seems so minor, I know. But Take care feels hesitant and Be well is bold and forceful almost. It’s the intention behind the latter ending which makes me want to use it more now. We could all use a little more support, I think.
Coincidentally, I recently learned of the philosophy of eudaimonia. Aristotle states in his Nicomachean Ethics that it means to be doing and living well. What I understand about it is that one can achieve this state of well-being through the pursuit of knowledge, honesty, kindness, and courage. Using a rational approach to life such as gaining scientific knowledge was also considered valuable.
It’s true that when we apply rational and critical thinking to situations, they tend to go a lot smoother. The outcome, even if a disastrous one, will likely lead to an easier adjustment to that situation. Seems like a formula for success.
What I also find interesting is that it helps me to understand my desire to use Be well instead of Take care. The former implies taking charge, doing with intention, achieving goals – proactive (rational); whereas the other is waiting to see what happens to you and then respond – reactive (irrational).
I really prefer to offer words saying I’m interested in their well-being rather than one of only hoping they can make it through in life.
And for that, I think I’ll Be well.
Mystery Blogger Award 2018!
I was nominated for The Mystery Blogger Award! Considering that I’ve really only been at this for the last 6 months here on WordPress, I’m honored. 🙂 Thank you, Reggie German! Please venture over to his blog; he’s got some great stuff!
I also (rules or not) want to thank, Okoto Enigma, for creating this award. At the moment, I have not read her blog, but I certainly plan on it. She is the creator of this excellent award; an award she describes best:
“Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion.
– Okoto Enigma
Here are the rules:
- Put the award logo/image on your blog
- List the rules.
- Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
- Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
- Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
- You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
- Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog
- Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
- Share a link to your best post(s)
Questions posed by Reggie:
- Are you in the occupation you planned on being in? If not, what changed your course? Never in a million years did I think I would be a stay-at-home expresser of my thoughts who would publish a book but I did! My journey down the path of writing started rather late in life, and I credit a wonderful inspirational human for that.
- What’s one thing that people always misunderstand about you? For those who don’t know me well, I don’t think they realize that I always say what I mean and do as I say. They are surprised when they can count on me.
- Do you have a routine when you write? I do, and it’s described here Read, think, write
- How would you describe your writing style? It’s always been very important to me to be honest, heartfelt and relay a sense of my understanding of the world in my writing.
- What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever worn? A shiner under my left eye!
Three Random Things About Me:
- I was an Army brat born in West Berlin, Germany before the wall came down.
- Have been married twice and bore two children even though I frequently said I would do neither when I was younger. Fortunate for me, I changed my mind.
- You can easily see I possess the perfect “footprints in the sand” imprint every time my wet feet step on a dry mat.
I Nominate:
Here are the questions for my nominees:
- Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
- What prompted you to begin writing consistently?
- Name three places you’d like to visit.
- How many years is your longest friendship?
- If you were forbidden to ever write again, what would you be doing instead?
My Favorite Post:
Narrowing it down to one was just too tough! I ended up with three for these reasons:
The Process of Life and Waking Up for they are both daily occurrences.
Carotid Wine The first piece of fiction I imagined. The title was killer too.
Mostly Shyte
Fearful
You’ll judge my being.
I’m hesitant to show me,
afraid of failure.
Fire And Ice
The fire in you warms me.
My coolness keeps you from burning to a crisp.
Manage my happiness!
But my needs are subject to your approval.
Navigating your ego is treacherous.
Peace and quiet, no conflict!
There’s no room for mine.
Mysterious Life
An unending, voluminous vastness gave us life.
The purpose is anyone’s guess.
Life knows how to adapt when its environment preys on it. Survival is the by-product of encoded genetic material forcing nature to continue but also to thrive and even rise above within their given circumstances.
For what reason does life have a built-in switch to influence continuation of a species though? Where does this desire to continue on and evolve come from?
The reason is a mystery; one that has long been pondered since the beginning of existence. We can consciously think of these things now more than ever. Not that we have any answers yet as to why we exist and for what purpose.
So many smart people can write book after book and provide research to explain all the things we have learned. It’s a never-ending mountain of information that details so much of what was unknown before. It’s beyond comprehension for some, inspiring to others to know even more.
And yet, no answer for what the purpose of existence even is.
But in the end, does it even matter? Animals and insects will be guided somewhat by instinct, vegetation continually seeking to fulfill what has driven them for millennia – to not wither and die. Humans will continue to exist the best way they know how. Influences in life will force them to decide what that life will look like; it’s their choice.
Nature consciously decided to be here, and we’ll probably never know the answer why.
On Hold
Fifteen minutes lost,
more time wasted with this call.
ARGHHH! How frustrating!
Innocence
When you look into those eyes, how can you not want the best for them?
How can a child ever be subjected to anything but love and support? How can a person ever think to harm a child?
Being intentionally and forcefully dominating, it’s just wrong.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Innocence needs to be educated and given the opportunity to flourish rather than dominated, directed and oppressed.
Please tell me you agree?
My Favorite Pair
Jason and Ian, my precious babies.
Motherhood meant striving to give them the best of me they were deserving of then realizing they were rewarding me with more value than I had to offer.
Years of moments – delicious, frustrating, hurt, joyful, enlightening, spontaneous, fun, sad – quickly turned both into young men. Adults venturing out into the world, and away from me.
As new chapters develop in their lives, I’m looking forward to their stories, their adventures. As they offer the world the best of themselves, may life reciprocate and give back in abundance what they so richly deserve.
***the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Spewing
I
scream your
name with rage.
Mordacious words
escape my mouth. The high-decibel sound
waves of my hostile screams slam into the
walls. I’m seething,
breathing hard,
wrathful.
Hot!
