Olympic Dreams

As a former member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, I remember September as the month I began glancing skyward. I never wanted to miss those first few flakes even knowing that they were destined to disappear the moment they touched so much as a blade of grass. Few of you would call that normal. 

As a reminder, I have never proposed that I am any such thing. I guess that has been the case throughout my years on earth as it still rings true. Weirdness reigns.

This week we entered the season of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Traditionally, I have been much more involved in the hype and excitement of the Winter Games, but I will certainly watch segments of this year's experience. It’s impressive to note there are 32 categories of sporting events, but I count 39 different contest activities. I just might have to peek at the newest, breakdancing.

Anyway, back to my reminiscing because of this world-encompassing 2024 event, 

Vocabulary Adjustment

“The kindest people are not born that way, they are made. They are the sounds that have experienced so much at the hands of life, they are the ones who have dug themselves out of the dark, who have fought to turn every loss into a lesson. The kindest people do not just exist – they choose to soften where circumstance has tried to harden them, they choose to believe in goodness because they have seen firsthand why compassion is so necessary. They have seen firsthand why tenderness is so important in this world.” – Bianca Sparacino

Movie Night

 ** We begin today’s project with an interruption. The majority of this article was put together before noon on Saturday, July 13. The finishing touches were added just before submission. But a few hours can have tremendous impacts. Although I considered canceling this post for today, I have decided to let it be. The major premise has not changed even though the political landscape might have. Yesterday’s events have notably revealed that we are experiencing a decidedly sad time in our country’s history. Just mouthing the words, ‘We have no place for political violence in this country’ falls well short of the need. Perhaps this article can in some small way, begin to pacify that need.**

And now, today’s post.

How many people can you name who have the authority to push your buttons?

Maybe we should make a list – each of us. But, of course, if we do this exercise, there needs to be a point to all the work. Many of us will struggle but for others, the task is effortless. It’s quite understandable if the names flow freely. It seems that is the world we live in, today.

Just Business

Annoying.

Except for a final proofread, today’s article was ready to submit. It now sits in an ever-expanding draft folder, as once again, I’m starting over. I’ve said I need to embrace life’s interruptions, and this is just one of them. It will happen again, no doubt.

I can usually pinpoint the beginnings of these ramblings. It’s a little murky today. A decades-old conversation suddenly popped into awareness and here we are.  

Once upon a time, there was a discussion between a self-proclaimed religious person, me, and an observer. I’m fuzzy on the explicit details, but here’s the gist.