As You Like it!.....or not.

My friends, as you know I have been absent from this space for some time but I am still around. As I visit the Blog Space and contemplate re-entry, I have the desire to engage but as time go by and life happens, the winds of change blows in the direction that makes coping and survival occur in the best possible way. And in this case it can take us not necessarily where we want to go or want to be, but where we will go and we must stand and play. All the world's a stage!

As I think about all of this and what I think my days ahead will be like, I am reminded of my all time favorite poem and reality check from Shakespeare, As you like it! All the World’s a stage. Of course I have decided once again to take solace in the lines and focus on what life brings in this season and determined to make the best of it. So, I go on with the knowledge that all things, and people, have a time and a ‘place’ and like it or not, (know what “it” is or not) we will all go through to the destiny. “Just let the universe show you the way!”

I am hoping that this new season will be grand for me and I will be present here to share and reflect with you, but in the mean time read on, below, and take heart. I am well and I am grateful for this space and for you. See you again, soon. And for now, and for You,

Shakespeare’s As you like it!,……or not.

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel

And shining morning face, creeping like snail

Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,

Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad

Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,

Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,

Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,

Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,

In fair round belly with good capon lined,

With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

Full of wise saws and modern instances;

And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts

Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,

With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,

His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

 To my friends and colleagues in the academic arena and calendar, I wish you all a wonderful year.

The Passing of Time and Friends

What is time? Why does it go the way it does: fast, slow, quick, slow. So interesting, right! Time comes and goes whether we want it to, like it to or not. I guess it’s one of those things we cannot control or can we?! It’s a choice, isn’t it? We can try to take the bull by the horn and break it, you know settle it down so that we can keep up with it. It’s just not that easy while it’s in motion.

I haven’t had enough time to do all the things I’ve wanted to do, needed to do and should do, even though I’ve wanted to and think about doing. Touching base; saying hello, making a phone call, sending an email, the little but very important touchstones of life. I just haven’t had the time or made the time to do them as much. OR perhaps haven’t the presence of mind, will and determination to just do it!

I attended the funeral today of a friend of over 20 years. He was a staff member in an organization where I directed a program in the mid-‘80’s. We remained friend’s years after I left the organization. He was caring and very available to help and give counsel and offer support. Our families were friendly; we each had two daughters earlier on, and kept in touch through birthday parties, graduations etc. For the past several years I was more in touch with his wife, Jill, than he and haven’t actually spoken to him in about 3 years.

He was a very peculiar person and sometimes even stoic. He was fine knowing I was in touch with his wife and would comment that I chose her over him so he had nothing to “say” to me. Anyway he was a good friend. He was giving and direct and sometimes unforgiving but he would explain his position and made peace with it. He loved music and played the steel drums beautifully, it was his passion. Food and kids were also his passion.

He had very distinct ideas and beliefs and there was no convincing him otherwise. He could accept his decisions and move on never giving a thought to soften his position or appease someone who disagreed. He was unpretentious and comfortable in his skin. He was authentic. When I badgered him about being hard nosed he would say, “You take me as I am or leave me. I’m cool, I can live with myself.” I have to admit he was solid.

He died of a massive stroke because of hypertension. He believed that he could take care of himself better than any other person so going to the doctors, taking medicines, chemical compounds, were not his thing. He had remedies that were better and could fix whatever ails him and that would be that. Well sadly, that was that.

So could I have made an impression on him to get checked and take the prescribed treatment had I been in touch? Could I have been able to prepare the family for this outcome was I more involved? Would I have gotten a goodbye hug more recently that says to him that he is loved, take care? Well who knows? I am not beating myself up about this, it is just a reflection. Really, who knows?

One of my goals this year is to stay in touch and more engaged with friends and family. This certainly gives pause for me to actualize it every chance I get. The girls and Jill will be in my prayers and thoughts and in my way through out the year. Stay strong my friends, we are with you.

My friend, rest in peace. Thank you for your friendship and your love.

To his family: may, the peace of God that passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

2011, An Opportunity to Start Again

I welcome 2011 with open embrace, gratitude, excitement of anticipation and hope. I embrace the opportunity to start over, one day at a time.

This New Year gives me the opportunity to pause and redirect myself, my attention, relationships and desires in a way that will yield the fruits of the spirit, personal growth and achievements. It’s new, it’s fresh, it has endless possibilities and potential and I can choose how and what to engage with and attach to and explore and give to and of myself and enjoy.

I don’t have to take along or try to fix the failings, baggage, the disappointments and losses of 2010. I will forgive, be thankful, acknowledge, appreciate and be grateful for being on the other side of 2010. I am moving ahead with the memories of lessons learned, friendships formed, challenges faced and graces given to strengthen and enrich how I will live and love and play in 2011.

I anticipate abundance of grace and will seek to shine my light and love in the world. To care for me and my household and all that is given. Seek to understand and fill the longings of my soul. Be bold and rejoice in the present. I will look for goodness and give kindness and know that I will be better for it. I will follow the calling of the universe of goodness, boldness, truth and faith.

I embrace 2011 knowing that my life will be richer, healthier, bolder and full of joys and love and beauty as I seek to be good, stand strong, be purposeful and content.

To all of you who have been my inspiration, confidant, supporter, loves and friends, I salute and welcome you on this journey of 2011, side by side with me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I count on your continued support, your wisdom, your truths and your understanding. I will stay in the present.

Happy New Year! May all your hopes and dreams be realized throughout 2011.

In hope, in love and in faith. Welcome 2011!

Seasons Greetings!

May you find boundless peace, joy and happiness throughout this Christmas Season!

                                                      Happy Holidays to you!

Matisse Radical Invention and Me

I visited MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art last week to see what I could see. This used to be a regular activity for the family in years gone by but I have not done this in a very long time. I have been just too busy or too tired chasing my tail. I had a good ole time at MoMA like old times. The highlight was the Matisse exhibit. I was also happy to see Monet, Picasso, Chegall, Rivera and so many other favorites. MoMA has Matisse: “Radical Invention” from 1913 – 1917 which he called Methods of Modern Construction. These works are from a period of change and growth for Matisse as an artist. What is ironic of this period is that Matisse is said to have been ‘searching for something deeper than that could be seen on the surface.’ I do not know if I can put my ‘re-construction’ phase quite like that but it certainly is a search for.

You know, it is funny how things clarifies or perhaps reveal a meaning of a feeling or situation that you have pondered. Well, this was one of those moments, again, and it was just timely. I think that I was at a point of veering off course heading to the fret zone for being disengaged from the work force or other things. As I walked through the exhibit it said, hold it; wait a minute! Hmm, Stop. Look. Listen, and think. Curious, but I did. After a time I moved along with some amount of buoyancy and litheness.

Nearing the end of the Matisse' exhibit, almost at the exit, there was a poster of a quote from the summer of 1917. As I scanned the print, these words in the middle of this big board caught my attention. I read and then re-read. I stopped. I listened to myself reading and thought; humph. I smiled, and gave off a sigh of relief. I looked around; saw my daughter who was on the other side of the room looking at another painting. I beckoned to her to come over. As she came over, I pointed to the section that I was enamored with. She read it and then she looked at me with her right eyebrow raised and smiled and said, hmm, well then! I then said to her, this is a lesson for you too. She smiled again, and nodded and said, true!

So according to Matisse, "When you have achieved what you want in a certain area, when you have exploited the possibilities that lie in one direction, you must, when the time comes, change course, search for something new."

I am not saying that I am wise or that I thought of my actions in these terms, but I think I was in that place feeling it's time for a change. Now I see, in so many places and ways, that it is an important and perhaps a necessary thing to do; stop, assess and change course when the time comes. It is the knowing, that is the challenge. You have heard me say that piece before. Knowing!

Friends and loved ones exploit your possibilities and when the time comes, move with boldness. I believe the rewards will be great.