My Leap

{As I challenged myself in Spectators, with you as my witness for accountability, I have now made the decision, and my Leap launches materially in ten days.  While I have already leaped, internalizing the decision, the outward signs of me no longer settling will be more publicly evident in that short time.  And with that in mind, I continue to search for me.} 

"... then suddenly, I was my father's son again"

Yes, a phrase from a book, a movie, a song, can convict, reach you right where you live.  Reaching back, the me who was, as it turns out, was not so locked away.  Once willing to pull away the first bit of defensive dermis, I see that as way leads onto way and truth better merges with vision, I am no longer daunted by the peeling back, but I resent each layer, come to hate the toughskin (all Montagues).  Recovering the me who was, and yes, running.  As the sand crunches with each stride now, I breathe in that Summer of old (too, the mischief that it was), and the me who was is less now an old friend sharing strides with me, more my pulse.  More wholly mine now, my gait is easier, my feet strike true, the running which was work becomes a flow, carries me with it.  And I run to, not from.

Make your life art.  Know your self.  

Your mileage may vary.

legacy

not so much 

am I wondering how I might be remembered; no,

legacy, only a container 

to allow that I step outside, see

a marble jar of the life mine

what shall I be telling with a sigh, ages, ages hence

know thyself

fuller, higher, deeper

what will your verse be

many a measuring stick float by

do I cling to that mirror shows me best

like the whim when Neil fell in love with the actress

playing a part that he could understand

long for clarity

yes, find me,

find that which is without me

I am the boy who helped

and I smiled

I remember me

The Fire Fly Manifesto: a blind review

Here is Jonathan Fields' promise:  

It gives both hope…and something to do.

It gives you a way to refocus your energy on coming out of the financial funk not only on sound footing, but with a new professional path defined not by the blind quest for false security and the illusion of success, but by equal helpings of passion and prosperity. And, it’s totally free, in fact, you don’t even need to give your e-mail to download it.

I endorse this to you without viewing it first.  Trust me.  Check out the Career Renegade.  Download the (10-page) Manifesto.  Go, "take a shot at doing what you love".  (Or, consider the alternative.)

to see the poets

you've known the soul of a poet when you suspect you've taken a glimpse through her eyes

the good people come along

No image here.  I do not want you to be distracted or entertained.  If you are someone who voted in the majority on one of the below questions, you owe it to a lot of people to read on.  Yes.  I said you owe it.

Arizona - ban on gay marriage

Arkansas - ban on gay couples adopting children

California - ban on gay marriage

Florida - ban on gay marriage

Help me with this.  How can 62% of voters in Florida think this is right.  Never mind the argument that recognition of the religious facet of a marriage by the state is troublesome with respect to a "law respecting an establishment of religion".  Forget that when you get down to it, the law views it as not a lot more than a special contract.  The thing is why.  Why do you want to tell someone they cannot be 'married'.

When you vote, perhaps you like to maintain that your vote is private.  Why.  You are proud of the fact you voted, correct?  We all love the sticker.  So what underlies that secrecy -- your 'right' to say 'my vote is my own'.  Could it be that this is your unadulterated opportunity to impose your will without having to answer to anyone.  Is it that you are not so proud of how you voted.  After all this time 'they' have flaunted 'it' in front of you -- indeed, in front of your children, this is your chance to answer.  Is it that you cannot articulate a foundation for what you have done.

Now I want to argue with you.  At least at you.  Justify your vote or acknowledge what you have done.  Why should your state recognize your marriage, and not a same sex marriage.  Your answer is that marriage is ordained of God, right?  Let's run with that.  Back to the first amendment.  You vote under the umbrella of the constitution.  Are you demanding that your state recognize your religious union and ignore the non-ordained union?  Please.  Tell me how in one breath, you claim a constitution, you wave the bill of rights, your right to your religion and no state interference with it, but you privately darken an oval to demand that your state affirmatively disrespect a union because it lacks endorsement by an establishment of religion.

I am not arguing to you that the times are changing.  I am not reminding you of all of us being created equal, of inalienable rights, of pursuit of happiness, of peacable assembly.  Of privacy -- not just your own.  I am suggesting that you ran with a whim.  You do not like the lifestyle of a same sex couple.  And you had no accountability.  That should not be left unsaid.  You did not stand up in a town hall and vote; you had the luxury of truly darkening so many ovals without answering to anyone.  So many abstract ovals.  

I hope the abstractions become real to you today.  In fact, you should celebrate.  Out of pride in what you have accomplished, you deserve a wish come true -- a chance to reach out and help someone see the light.  

How about you go out into your community today, find a same sex couple, and talk with them.  You need not even listen.  Here is the remarkable opportunity.  Acknowledge they are human (you need not say this; a smile may suffice).  And after you confirm they are human, gay, and that you have their attention, simply share (because you believe in your vote and you are proud).  Following is a suggested script:

• Hello.  You seem like nice enough people, but I hope you are never able to marry.  I voted to see that you cannot.  I did that because [insert your honest reason here].  I know you understand.  I am here to help.
  
• [Optional for Arkansas -- ] I know you do not see it now, but you are patently unfit to raise and care for children.  Nothing personal.  I voted to see that you cannot adopt.  I did that because [honest reason here].  I know you understand.  I am here to help.

While I have a greater word count on this topic, Jason Kottke (link here) has a way with words. And brevity.
  ... and Andrew Sullivan at The Atlantic writes "Oh, No, You Don't"

... and the Shutter Bitch doesn't mince words

'Simplifiers' : where is value

"... to collect experiences, not possessions."

 

I happened upon an article by John A. Quelch, the Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.  Those are his words (or perhaps the school's now; you get the idea).  I think I took something away from his article, although I am unsure if I took what he meant to share.

{On a day in which I have not yet run} I entreat you to collect experiences -- 

They are more shareable than possessions.

While they can be fragile, you need not insure them.

You can not remotely monitor their security.

It costs you nearly nothing to share them.

You can give them away without losing them.

Indeed, the more you share them, the more they are yours.

They are portable, susceptible of long term storage.

'Obsolete' does not apply.

There is no enhanced warranty plan.

They are the subject of art -- what art is about.

Symbiotic, you shape them and they, you.

While there are many you yearn to control, the unexpected may tend to abide.

Only as you collect them does the vessel of you become discernible.

The Cure

I came to know the clouds just now, as I saw one born while I ran.  I was not aware of the entire birth, but as the sun promised to bend around the distance, I persisted in pushing the fog to be sure I was not at the edge of the world.  It had been flowing through me for a time, but until the light I had only tasted it.  Happening faster than I expected, the fog lifted as it became more certain the sun was to come again.  Around me and through me, it lept without sound or trail to the bright blue awaiting.  When a child with a window seat is air-bused through, over my cloud, I hope she thinks how far it has come to see her.

{This morning, with the opportunity of an 'extra' hour, I was able to run enough (no regret this time that I should have gone farther).  Steps in the dark.  I was clarified.  In the near-dark, I realized how we scurry.  We train our children to scurry ... proud when they do, hope they grow up to become jugglers of appointments.  One should run.  As it goes by you more slowly, you see it, breathe it and it shares with you; the world around you is not one of obtacles through which you brake, accelerate and veer.  Running can fix you.  No watch, nor phone, only that between the ground and the sky is there with you.}