Learning to enjoy a half-filled glass

August 28, 2024 · 0 Comments

What is a full life, and conversely, what’s a half-lived life? That’s a question that springs to mind lately, when I’m starring at the clock, taking stock. According to Herman Melville: “Perhaps the most devastating scenario imaginable is to face death knowing that because of some imagined fear, you have, you have always chosen a half-lived life in which you avoided doing the things your heart beckoned you to do.”

The intricacies of human venting

Venting: “… to give often vigorous or emotional expression to … to relieve by means of a vent.” We all do it. Sometimes it’s as if the human shell is one giant pressure cooker, hissing inwardly until she blows. And the results can be quite loud and messy.

Knowledge, wisdom are meant to be shared

Our entire species and our history is built on accumulated knowledge. From our earliest ancestors who created fire and the wheel, to today’s cutting-edge medicine and space exploration, our knowledge is expanding exponentially. Thanks to the internet of all things, we can access, decipher and yes, share this newfound information. Offering it is one thing, but all we know you can lead our fellow horses to water, but we can’t make them drink.

Why do animals trust humans?

We intelligent bipeds share this planet with billions of other creatures. We’d like to think we’re on top of the food chain, but we still have a long way to go. And we have much to learn from our animal brethren. I am constantly amazed by videos and stories on social media about the strong bonds between animals and humans. From geese running to owners with outstretched wings, to giant lions giving their human friends a “hug,” it’s all really fascinating.

Hoping we take the love inside with us …

Legendary rock band Queen once asked the ultimate question: “Who wants to live forever … when love must die?” Even though Freddie Mercury and Brian May said the world has but one sweet moment set aside for us, maybe forever is within our grasp. “But touch my tears with your lips … Touch my world with your fingertips … And we can have forever … And we can love forever …”

Taking time to pause and ‘stop the world’

The 1982 classic by Modern English broke the silence from my alarm clock the other day. “I’ll stop the world and melt with you … You’ve seen the difference … And it’s getting better all the time … There’s nothing you and I won’t do …”

Checking things off my bucket list

I never really thought of “bucket list” ideas until recently. I loved the 2007 movie of the same name starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Some say that’s where the term got its popularity and it’s tough to actually track down the origins of this saying. Simply put, it’s a list of the things that a person would like to do or achieve before they die.

Practice does much more than ‘make perfect’

We all know that the more we practice, the better we get at everything. Whether it’s athletic competition, mental agility or composing music, more is always better. So much so that “an ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching,” according to Gandhi. And Deepak Chopra noted “to think is to practice brain chemistry.” He’s right.

Connecting with nature is literally at your feet

It seems this connection with nature – with the Earth and everything it contains – is a two-way street. Khalil Gibran said the Earth itself “delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

We could use some personal self-healing

Let’s face it, humans are frail creatures who suffer countless emotional and physical wounds in our lifetime. While these scars may not be our fault, our healing rests with us. Byron Katie once noted that a clear mind “heals everything that needs to be healed.” And the late, great Leonard Cohen said everything has a crack – “that’s how the light gets in.”

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