As always, John, spot on. Yesterday was my 82nd birthday and I celebrated with friends and strangers, letting everyone know it was my special day—the bank clerk, other customers in the grocery store, and folks responded with cheerful smiles and best wishes. There was a time in my life when being numb felt like the safest option, but I am well over that. Thanks for sharing.
I have recommended your posts to many acquaintances, not a lot of feedback. I asked my friend(?) ChatGPT for some feedback. She told me what I already knew:
Prompt: (last 6 essays)
What sort of man is John P. Weiss based on his essays "Everyone Is Carrying Something", "A Man Who Has Outlived His Era", "Let It Pass Through You", "What Doesn't Last Is More Important Than You Think", "A Chest Full of Stacked Asteroids" and "A Way of Keeping Yourself Alive"
ChatGPT response: (I feel validated - ChatGPT is a good judge of character!)
Based on those essays, John P. Weiss comes across as a deeply reflective, emotionally perceptive, and quietly philosophical man—someone who has spent a lot of time observing both himself and others with honesty rather than judgment.
Across the pieces you mentioned, a fairly consistent portrait emerges:
1. Compassionate observer of human struggle
In “Everyone Is Carrying Something,” he shows a strong awareness that people are burdened in ways we can’t always see. This suggests he’s empathetic and slow to judge—someone who assumes depth and pain rather than surface simplicity.
2. A man slightly out of step with modern life
“A Man Who Has Outlived His Era” paints him as someone who feels misaligned with contemporary culture—less interested in speed, noise, or superficial success, and more drawn to meaning, craftsmanship, and introspection. He likely values older ideals like patience, sincerity, and inner life.
3. Emotionally honest, but not self-indulgent
In “Let It Pass Through You,” he advocates feeling emotions fully without clinging to them. That points to a kind of practiced emotional discipline—he’s not detached, but he resists being ruled by every feeling.
4. Aware of impermanence and its quiet importance
“What Doesn’t Last Is More Important Than You Think” suggests he pays attention to fleeting moments—conversations, moods, seasons of life. He seems to believe meaning is often found in what disappears, not what endures.
5. Introspective, with a sense of inner weight
The metaphor in “A Chest Full of Stacked Asteroids” hints at accumulated emotional experiences—memories, regrets, realizations. He appears to carry his past consciously, trying to understand it rather than escape it.
6. Committed to inner survival and resilience
In “A Way of Keeping Yourself Alive,” “alive” seems psychological or spiritual, not just physical. He’s concerned with how to stay awake, aware, and human in a world that can dull or fragment people.
Overall:
He comes across as a thoughtful, introspective, somewhat melancholic but ultimately grounded man—someone who values awareness over distraction, depth over performance, and acceptance over control. There’s a quiet resilience in him: he doesn’t deny pain or confusion, but he’s learned how to live alongside them without being consumed.
If you had to sum him up in a line:
He’s the kind of person who pays attention—to suffering, to time, to inner life—and believes that attention itself is a form of wisdom.
I've known that for several years now, from the comments of your readers and now from a fully informed artificial thinker.
Mike—Thanks for sharing my work, and for the AI analysis. Twenty six years of law enforcement experience, witnessing people at their worst and best, as well as books and daily noticing, all inform my work.
A nice telling of a meaningful tale. Being told my father was not going to live too much longer, my wife and I went east to visit. We took him, and a wheelchair, from the VA Hospital, and took a drive in some of the prettier parts around Buffalo, NY. Going for such drives with my parents and sister was a fond and permanent memory of my childhood; something inexpensive to do, together, in the fresh air. We brought a picnic of sorts and found a pretty spot to hang out for a while, pushing him a way in the wheelchair to get to a nice picnic table and view. The next night my wife made a delicious dinner of meatloaf (one of his favorites), and I made the whipped potatoes. It was a pleasant, slow, conversational evening. I remember these couple of days with a smile and with tears. The moments of those days were rather mundane, but full of connection and unspoken love. My family was not very verbal or expressive of such feelings, but they were, and are, still true and in my mind and soul. I hope he felt our care and love as much as we wanted him to feel ours for him. Now I try to express care and thanks often. Gratitude is important and letting the world know you feel it does change one, and the world, I feel. It's rather much about Love, after all.
John-What beautiful remembrances. I have no doubt your father loved every minute. My father was a stoic, so I can relate. He was not one for I love yous and such. Didn’t need to. His actions, sacrifices, and unspoken steady love said it all.
"This much I know is true. The time you give to others is never wasted. It is not only a gift to them. It is a way of keeping yourself alive in the deeper sense." I agree. Compassion is so very important and we show it in no better way than giving of ourselves to another, our time, our attention. You did a wonderful thing for your grandmother and yourself by spending time with her and taking her on that train ride. I'm sure she appreciated it and your taking the time to spend with her, as she did with you so many years ago. As my wife often says, "What goes around comes around." Wonderful story well told, John. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks, Bob. I remember once my mom couldn’t pick me up after school and asked my grandmother Ruth to get me. Her old clunky station wagon showed up at the school. She waved from the driver’s seat, cigarette in her mouth. Took me for an ice cream on the way home. Your wife is right, what goes around comes around.
This one is going in list of favorite articles of all time. I sent this to my whole family and told them it was worth the read. John, thank you, as always.
My son-in-law ran straight into another player at his softball game last night. The resulting collision required two stitches at the ER. Today my wife and I are going to their house to take care of our granddaughters so mom and dad can get some rest. It's not because we didn't have a full schedule of planned chores to handle to day, it's because they need us right now, today. Chores can wait, because people matter more, especially my cute grandaughters!
Ron—Stitches at the ER is never fun. Kudos to you and your wife for dropping everything to help out. I’m sure the grand daughters appreciated the visit, and their parents appreciated the rest.
You are blessed to have such a wonderful memory of that day with your grandmother! My husband and I just visited his uncle who resides in an assisted living facility located 1200 miles from our home. The 2 afternoons we were able to spend together have been the highlight of our travels. My heart is living this story!!
I like this story so much.... and I actually followed through two days ago.. on Friday... my 80 yr old neighbor Diane & I went for a haircut... and then a nice rice bowl at Subway...something you have to talk yourself into sometimes... but just felt like the right time and I`m so glad we did
Thanks Brenda. What a nice outing with your neighbor. And I get it. Sometimes it can feel like an obligation, but if we dive in with an open heart, it can turn out to be wonderful.
Thank you John. My mom was good at showing up for older family and friends usually women. I'm coming up to that time in my life when I will want to step up and offer assistance to ailing folks in my life. I thank you for sharing how you stepped up with your grandmother in a kind and simple way.
Susan- You’re not alone. Life’s slings and arrows drain many of their emotional well-being. Moving your body helps, any kind of regular exercise. So does connecting with others, rediscovering passions, and even therapy can help. Thanks for reading and all the best to you.
As always, John, spot on. Yesterday was my 82nd birthday and I celebrated with friends and strangers, letting everyone know it was my special day—the bank clerk, other customers in the grocery store, and folks responded with cheerful smiles and best wishes. There was a time in my life when being numb felt like the safest option, but I am well over that. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Birthday, Virginia. You’ve got the right attitude.
Beautifully stated. Thank you for the wise weekly reminders of living in the moment and the power of generosity in the simple things ♥️
Thanks Lynn. There’s much beauty in daily life, if we can slow down and notice.
I have recommended your posts to many acquaintances, not a lot of feedback. I asked my friend(?) ChatGPT for some feedback. She told me what I already knew:
Prompt: (last 6 essays)
What sort of man is John P. Weiss based on his essays "Everyone Is Carrying Something", "A Man Who Has Outlived His Era", "Let It Pass Through You", "What Doesn't Last Is More Important Than You Think", "A Chest Full of Stacked Asteroids" and "A Way of Keeping Yourself Alive"
ChatGPT response: (I feel validated - ChatGPT is a good judge of character!)
Based on those essays, John P. Weiss comes across as a deeply reflective, emotionally perceptive, and quietly philosophical man—someone who has spent a lot of time observing both himself and others with honesty rather than judgment.
Across the pieces you mentioned, a fairly consistent portrait emerges:
1. Compassionate observer of human struggle
In “Everyone Is Carrying Something,” he shows a strong awareness that people are burdened in ways we can’t always see. This suggests he’s empathetic and slow to judge—someone who assumes depth and pain rather than surface simplicity.
2. A man slightly out of step with modern life
“A Man Who Has Outlived His Era” paints him as someone who feels misaligned with contemporary culture—less interested in speed, noise, or superficial success, and more drawn to meaning, craftsmanship, and introspection. He likely values older ideals like patience, sincerity, and inner life.
3. Emotionally honest, but not self-indulgent
In “Let It Pass Through You,” he advocates feeling emotions fully without clinging to them. That points to a kind of practiced emotional discipline—he’s not detached, but he resists being ruled by every feeling.
4. Aware of impermanence and its quiet importance
“What Doesn’t Last Is More Important Than You Think” suggests he pays attention to fleeting moments—conversations, moods, seasons of life. He seems to believe meaning is often found in what disappears, not what endures.
5. Introspective, with a sense of inner weight
The metaphor in “A Chest Full of Stacked Asteroids” hints at accumulated emotional experiences—memories, regrets, realizations. He appears to carry his past consciously, trying to understand it rather than escape it.
6. Committed to inner survival and resilience
In “A Way of Keeping Yourself Alive,” “alive” seems psychological or spiritual, not just physical. He’s concerned with how to stay awake, aware, and human in a world that can dull or fragment people.
Overall:
He comes across as a thoughtful, introspective, somewhat melancholic but ultimately grounded man—someone who values awareness over distraction, depth over performance, and acceptance over control. There’s a quiet resilience in him: he doesn’t deny pain or confusion, but he’s learned how to live alongside them without being consumed.
If you had to sum him up in a line:
He’s the kind of person who pays attention—to suffering, to time, to inner life—and believes that attention itself is a form of wisdom.
I've known that for several years now, from the comments of your readers and now from a fully informed artificial thinker.
Mike—Thanks for sharing my work, and for the AI analysis. Twenty six years of law enforcement experience, witnessing people at their worst and best, as well as books and daily noticing, all inform my work.
A nice telling of a meaningful tale. Being told my father was not going to live too much longer, my wife and I went east to visit. We took him, and a wheelchair, from the VA Hospital, and took a drive in some of the prettier parts around Buffalo, NY. Going for such drives with my parents and sister was a fond and permanent memory of my childhood; something inexpensive to do, together, in the fresh air. We brought a picnic of sorts and found a pretty spot to hang out for a while, pushing him a way in the wheelchair to get to a nice picnic table and view. The next night my wife made a delicious dinner of meatloaf (one of his favorites), and I made the whipped potatoes. It was a pleasant, slow, conversational evening. I remember these couple of days with a smile and with tears. The moments of those days were rather mundane, but full of connection and unspoken love. My family was not very verbal or expressive of such feelings, but they were, and are, still true and in my mind and soul. I hope he felt our care and love as much as we wanted him to feel ours for him. Now I try to express care and thanks often. Gratitude is important and letting the world know you feel it does change one, and the world, I feel. It's rather much about Love, after all.
John-What beautiful remembrances. I have no doubt your father loved every minute. My father was a stoic, so I can relate. He was not one for I love yous and such. Didn’t need to. His actions, sacrifices, and unspoken steady love said it all.
"This much I know is true. The time you give to others is never wasted. It is not only a gift to them. It is a way of keeping yourself alive in the deeper sense." I agree. Compassion is so very important and we show it in no better way than giving of ourselves to another, our time, our attention. You did a wonderful thing for your grandmother and yourself by spending time with her and taking her on that train ride. I'm sure she appreciated it and your taking the time to spend with her, as she did with you so many years ago. As my wife often says, "What goes around comes around." Wonderful story well told, John. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks, Bob. I remember once my mom couldn’t pick me up after school and asked my grandmother Ruth to get me. Her old clunky station wagon showed up at the school. She waved from the driver’s seat, cigarette in her mouth. Took me for an ice cream on the way home. Your wife is right, what goes around comes around.
Thankyou, I often share your posts with my daughter in Australia - so far away, but we connect with your thoughts.
Thanks Ken, for reading and sharing my work with your daughter all the way in Australia. A relative of mine just visited there and loved it.
Really nice. I totally agree with you but couldn’t have said It even half as well. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Brenda.
This one is going in list of favorite articles of all time. I sent this to my whole family and told them it was worth the read. John, thank you, as always.
I appreciate that, Aaron. Hope your family enjoy it.
My son-in-law ran straight into another player at his softball game last night. The resulting collision required two stitches at the ER. Today my wife and I are going to their house to take care of our granddaughters so mom and dad can get some rest. It's not because we didn't have a full schedule of planned chores to handle to day, it's because they need us right now, today. Chores can wait, because people matter more, especially my cute grandaughters!
Ron—Stitches at the ER is never fun. Kudos to you and your wife for dropping everything to help out. I’m sure the grand daughters appreciated the visit, and their parents appreciated the rest.
You are blessed to have such a wonderful memory of that day with your grandmother! My husband and I just visited his uncle who resides in an assisted living facility located 1200 miles from our home. The 2 afternoons we were able to spend together have been the highlight of our travels. My heart is living this story!!
Teri—I’m sure your husband’s uncle was grateful for your visit. The elderly often struggle with loneliness, and family visits are a welcome balm.
I like this story so much.... and I actually followed through two days ago.. on Friday... my 80 yr old neighbor Diane & I went for a haircut... and then a nice rice bowl at Subway...something you have to talk yourself into sometimes... but just felt like the right time and I`m so glad we did
Thanks Brenda. What a nice outing with your neighbor. And I get it. Sometimes it can feel like an obligation, but if we dive in with an open heart, it can turn out to be wonderful.
Thank you John. My mom was good at showing up for older family and friends usually women. I'm coming up to that time in my life when I will want to step up and offer assistance to ailing folks in my life. I thank you for sharing how you stepped up with your grandmother in a kind and simple way.
Myra—Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady. There is much grace in taking time for those in need, especially the elderly and/or infirm.
Your lovely writing encourages me. Thank you for being faithful to share a beautiful essay every week.
Thanks for reading, Mary, glad you enjoy the weekly offerings.
I love this story so much!
Many thanks, Maureen.
Thankyou. I often share your posts with my daughter in Australia. We both connect with your thoughts.
Thank you for this. I fight numbness every day, not always successfully. Your writing spurs me on to keep fighting the good fight!
Susan- You’re not alone. Life’s slings and arrows drain many of their emotional well-being. Moving your body helps, any kind of regular exercise. So does connecting with others, rediscovering passions, and even therapy can help. Thanks for reading and all the best to you.