We come to know ourselves better over time, or at least that is a possibility, based on whether or not we have chosen to invest some of our time in responding to the maxim Know Thyself.
Thank you as always Gary. Reading your posts is often for me like a walk down a quiet lane, a chance to pause, a moment to consider life in a more generous way. I appreciate the steadiness of your considerations, and their depth. Blessings to you mate.
Thanks, Ian. I appreciate you and value your comments as you help encourage me to continue on this journey of reflective considerations. I'm looking for the "right" best category which seems to elude me. Maybe "Faith and Spirituality," maybe "Philosophy." Regardless, I am not a big fan of labels and categories so maybe it doesn't matter. I much prefer your "walk down a quiet lane" and am happy to have you walking along with me. How about, "Walk Along With Me, The Best is Yet to Be?
I will definitely be happy with "Walk Along With Me, The Best Is Yet to Be"? Go well Gary. I appreciate you. Cheers for Australia in spring where my walks are currently filled with all kinds of perfumes from the flowering gumtrees.
Thanks, Diana. I remind myself every day that we are still a work in progress, that we can continue to pursue what we want to learn about how to develop and evolve into better human beings. In order to do that we need periodic reviews and assessments to see how we are doing, as well as being. I like what Pooh said, “You're braver than you believe and stronger and smarter than you think.” So, let’s go and make the most of it we can, while we can, where we are, with what we have. I’m not sure who said that but I remember it from somewhere.
Gary, your writings often feel like a visit with my late Father, who died 29 years ago when I was 42. He was a very wise and learned man as well as a tender, loving Father. I appreciate you!
Thanks, Nan. I am indeed a tender, loving father, like my own father who died 45 years ago, yep, when I was 42. He was only 67. Seems like yesterday! I do not claim to be wise and I am still learning, passing along what I have learned for what it’s worth.
Glad to share, happy you enjoy my rambling thoughts, and grateful to you for your good writing here. Happy Halloween a week early. Hope to write a little about that next week, if it comes together.
I know I am always in for grounded wisdom when you post a new essay, Gary. As I reflect upon your words here, and the skill of self-reflection, I wonder, since it is a skill, where and how that gets learned? Who teaches that nowadays to the younger generations? It’s one thing to reflect back upon a life; quite another to do so, critically, albeit compassionately, for the intention of improving the world for oneself and for others. I look forward to reading your next drafted piece on generational differences. I’m placing a bet our perspectives will be similar. Thank you my friend!
And therein lies a difference between what I was taught and by whom and what the majority are taught and by whom. That would require a lot of digging and explaining, research on then and now and what distinguishes my generation from the two following and the third, who in my case, will be one year old in just two days. The more I think about it the more I think the differences have to do with learning, with the differences between an educated person and an uneducated person. I touched on those in a earlier post, “A Dismal Failure.” I was fortunate (?) to have had some good teachers in good schools and spend 24 years in classrooms as a student. And I am still learning and eager to know and understand more.
And sometimes this goes in reverse.... my boomer parents have no interest in self-reflection or SELF-exploration, and believe that their entire civic duty was achieved by having children who are financially independent. What I wouldn't give to have an engaging, curious conversation with either parent about the nature of reality, the obligations to community/society and the imperative of wise elderhood.... AND, I have gratitude for whatever was lit inside me through nature or nurture to let me have these kinds of dreams.
I am fortunate to be in ongoing, good conversations with my kids,and it’s something we developed over many years of how we take responsibility for being engaged, thoughtful, and discerning adults. I encouraged my kids to become lifelong learners, curious about the world in which they lived and to follow their passions and pursue what appealed to them based on their beliefs and values. That we continue this practice is a blessing for me and one I never expected nor anticipated back then, 50+ years ago. My two oldest are 62 and 60, the third right behind them at 56. Good on you for pursuing the dreams from whatever source and sad for those with no interest in much beyond themselves.
Always glad to provide a breath of fresh air. Most people notice stale air because the pent up pollutants have an unpleasant smell or make a room feel stuffy. At low levels, stale air is uncomfortable, but at higher levels, stale air can become unhealthy. As I take a deep breath of fresh air, I feel energy and clarity. If I can contribute those in any small way, I am most grateful.
There's a sense of gratitude here for the gift of life and a call to make the most of the opportunities for growth, kindness, and connection that life presents.
Thanks , it really speaks to both the depth and wonder of the human experience.
Thank you as always Gary. Reading your posts is often for me like a walk down a quiet lane, a chance to pause, a moment to consider life in a more generous way. I appreciate the steadiness of your considerations, and their depth. Blessings to you mate.
Thanks, Ian. I appreciate you and value your comments as you help encourage me to continue on this journey of reflective considerations. I'm looking for the "right" best category which seems to elude me. Maybe "Faith and Spirituality," maybe "Philosophy." Regardless, I am not a big fan of labels and categories so maybe it doesn't matter. I much prefer your "walk down a quiet lane" and am happy to have you walking along with me. How about, "Walk Along With Me, The Best is Yet to Be?
"
I will definitely be happy with "Walk Along With Me, The Best Is Yet to Be"? Go well Gary. I appreciate you. Cheers for Australia in spring where my walks are currently filled with all kinds of perfumes from the flowering gumtrees.
Honestly, Ian, my thoughts are, well, pretty much your thoughts! Well said…
So, Gary, I absolutely “second” what “our mate” — Ian — shared with you! 😀
Your grace, kindness and understanding of humans is amazing - both the light and the dark, of our stubbornness and our intelligence.
May we aspire to bettering and understanding ourselves so that we might have a life well lived.
Beautiful poem…brought me tears. Thank you for sharing it Gary.
Thanks, Diana. I remind myself every day that we are still a work in progress, that we can continue to pursue what we want to learn about how to develop and evolve into better human beings. In order to do that we need periodic reviews and assessments to see how we are doing, as well as being. I like what Pooh said, “You're braver than you believe and stronger and smarter than you think.” So, let’s go and make the most of it we can, while we can, where we are, with what we have. I’m not sure who said that but I remember it from somewhere.
Gary, your writings often feel like a visit with my late Father, who died 29 years ago when I was 42. He was a very wise and learned man as well as a tender, loving Father. I appreciate you!
All the best, Nan
Thanks, Nan. I am indeed a tender, loving father, like my own father who died 45 years ago, yep, when I was 42. He was only 67. Seems like yesterday! I do not claim to be wise and I am still learning, passing along what I have learned for what it’s worth.
Beautifully said, Gary. I really love being privy to your thoughts! 🙏💚
Glad to share, happy you enjoy my rambling thoughts, and grateful to you for your good writing here. Happy Halloween a week early. Hope to write a little about that next week, if it comes together.
I know I am always in for grounded wisdom when you post a new essay, Gary. As I reflect upon your words here, and the skill of self-reflection, I wonder, since it is a skill, where and how that gets learned? Who teaches that nowadays to the younger generations? It’s one thing to reflect back upon a life; quite another to do so, critically, albeit compassionately, for the intention of improving the world for oneself and for others. I look forward to reading your next drafted piece on generational differences. I’m placing a bet our perspectives will be similar. Thank you my friend!
And therein lies a difference between what I was taught and by whom and what the majority are taught and by whom. That would require a lot of digging and explaining, research on then and now and what distinguishes my generation from the two following and the third, who in my case, will be one year old in just two days. The more I think about it the more I think the differences have to do with learning, with the differences between an educated person and an uneducated person. I touched on those in a earlier post, “A Dismal Failure.” I was fortunate (?) to have had some good teachers in good schools and spend 24 years in classrooms as a student. And I am still learning and eager to know and understand more.
Your words never fail to hold me in a way I didn't even know I needed. Thank you for this, Gary.
I am glad I found your substack. Thank you. Keep writing!
Thanks, Linda. I am going to post a note dedicated to you and your walks.
What an intro to your writing. Bravo, sir.
And sometimes this goes in reverse.... my boomer parents have no interest in self-reflection or SELF-exploration, and believe that their entire civic duty was achieved by having children who are financially independent. What I wouldn't give to have an engaging, curious conversation with either parent about the nature of reality, the obligations to community/society and the imperative of wise elderhood.... AND, I have gratitude for whatever was lit inside me through nature or nurture to let me have these kinds of dreams.
I am fortunate to be in ongoing, good conversations with my kids,and it’s something we developed over many years of how we take responsibility for being engaged, thoughtful, and discerning adults. I encouraged my kids to become lifelong learners, curious about the world in which they lived and to follow their passions and pursue what appealed to them based on their beliefs and values. That we continue this practice is a blessing for me and one I never expected nor anticipated back then, 50+ years ago. My two oldest are 62 and 60, the third right behind them at 56. Good on you for pursuing the dreams from whatever source and sad for those with no interest in much beyond themselves.
This was a breath of fresh air to read and listen to while I was traveling today. Thank you Gary for such insight, grace and pondering.
Always glad to provide a breath of fresh air. Most people notice stale air because the pent up pollutants have an unpleasant smell or make a room feel stuffy. At low levels, stale air is uncomfortable, but at higher levels, stale air can become unhealthy. As I take a deep breath of fresh air, I feel energy and clarity. If I can contribute those in any small way, I am most grateful.
"Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again"
There's a sense of gratitude here for the gift of life and a call to make the most of the opportunities for growth, kindness, and connection that life presents.
Thanks , it really speaks to both the depth and wonder of the human experience.