Funny how something unrelated can wake up our filing cabinets inside our heads! Yesterday I saw the obituary from a former neighbour back in Belgium, and all of a sudden loads of memories came floating.. yes we all carry suitcases of luggage, but thankfully, we have a choice and can pick out the nice ones, while putting aside the painful ones. Just like you did with Skipper. Instead of concentrating on the disabled boy, you saw the teacher gently adjust to give the child a chance. Thankfully there still are teachers able to do this - and people like you who report on the good side of life, while there is so much horror going on. thank you.
I love your metaphors, Ingrid: "Filing cabinets inside our heads" and "we all carry suitcases of luggage...we have a choice and can pick out the nice ones." May we all pick out the nice ones!
the suitcases come from an old joke. Several people have died and are waiting at the gates of heaven for ST. Peter to let them in. A small criminal, but good at heart, watches as all of a sudden a big woman cuts in and shouts, let me go first, I got a suitcase of good works. She stands in front of ST. Peter who, gently nods his head... no. The man sighs, and humbly aproaches, regretting his sins, and is let in. I have no idea where this story comes from, but as so many, it came drifting up LOL.
Beautiful! There is so much to be gained by simply PAYING ATTENTION! Thanks for reminding us that there are many beautiful people in the world like that baseball coach and people who are suffering. We can all do better!
John you’re keeping the almost forgotten art of observation alive. And your thoughtful connections and journeys that come from your observations always offer a bit of old fashioned wisdom and insight. Thanks. I wonder how many people seated around you waiting in the airport were actually looking around, observing and thinking like you, or were they all locked onto their phones away in their internal world?
Thanks, Alan. I'm sure there were some folks in the airport people watching. Maybe ruminating about life, or exploring old memories. But mostly, everyone was glued to their phones.
Yeah we’re all guilty of it I know, but it comes at a cost. We lose the opportunity to see and learn from the world around us and we don’t interact with other people around us, even if it’s just to hi and give a smile to a stranger. Sometimes I think we’ve got to stop and look around and let the world in a bit more, it helps put things into perspective. It lets us think and see some of the bigger picture. You saw the lady and the wheelchair and your empathy shows. We all have baggage we carry, but I can guarantee there are others around us with bigger, heavier suitcases to carry than ours. Your message and observation teaches us to be grateful for what we have. Once we are locked onto our phone, we lose sight of the big picture, and our problems often appear and seem bigger than they actually are. It’s not reality.
Yes. The grace of noticing, without judgement, evaluation or disdain gives life a depth and resonance that's priceless. Thanks for the poignant reminder.
Thank you, Brenda. Skipper was such a sweet kid. I have not idea where life took him after our school days, but I hope it contained more joy than sorrow.
Yes, we all carry some burden, like the lady pushing the wheelchair or Skipper. It may not be physically evident, as you note, but we all carry a burden. I'm a Christian just returned from the noon-time Lenten service at our church. There we are encouraged to leave our burdens and let the Lord carry them for us. What a relief! Afterward, we enjoy a nice lunch and chat with friends and other attendees. Then I came home and read your wonderful essay and accompanying photo. Perfect! It helps to be reminded to see, really see others and appreciate that they are likely carrying burdens that we are unaware of. Thanks for the reminder to treat others kindly, as Mr. Denman treated Skipper.
Thank you you sparked something today after I read this and again took a moment to post on my blog, referencing yours, but in a different more raw way. Anyways, I absolutely love your writing.
Your writing today parallels a recent practice around the word “contemplation” that Richard Rudd has introduced me to John. Sometimes it looks and feels as though we’re losing our way, particularly with the technological and information overload that abounds. And then suddenly, evidence of what I’ve come to identify as “heart and soul energy” arrives in your post. I continue to find myself in awe of, and amazed by, how the universe conspires to affirm that “Perfectly on time gifted moments” are available to all of us if we can just take a few moments to pause, breathe and say thank you.
Inspiring as always! Thank you!!!
You're welcome, Gayle. Thanks for reading.
Funny how something unrelated can wake up our filing cabinets inside our heads! Yesterday I saw the obituary from a former neighbour back in Belgium, and all of a sudden loads of memories came floating.. yes we all carry suitcases of luggage, but thankfully, we have a choice and can pick out the nice ones, while putting aside the painful ones. Just like you did with Skipper. Instead of concentrating on the disabled boy, you saw the teacher gently adjust to give the child a chance. Thankfully there still are teachers able to do this - and people like you who report on the good side of life, while there is so much horror going on. thank you.
I love your metaphors, Ingrid: "Filing cabinets inside our heads" and "we all carry suitcases of luggage...we have a choice and can pick out the nice ones." May we all pick out the nice ones!
the suitcases come from an old joke. Several people have died and are waiting at the gates of heaven for ST. Peter to let them in. A small criminal, but good at heart, watches as all of a sudden a big woman cuts in and shouts, let me go first, I got a suitcase of good works. She stands in front of ST. Peter who, gently nods his head... no. The man sighs, and humbly aproaches, regretting his sins, and is let in. I have no idea where this story comes from, but as so many, it came drifting up LOL.
Beautiful! There is so much to be gained by simply PAYING ATTENTION! Thanks for reminding us that there are many beautiful people in the world like that baseball coach and people who are suffering. We can all do better!
"We can all do better!" Absolutely, Sharon. Thanks for your comment.
John you’re keeping the almost forgotten art of observation alive. And your thoughtful connections and journeys that come from your observations always offer a bit of old fashioned wisdom and insight. Thanks. I wonder how many people seated around you waiting in the airport were actually looking around, observing and thinking like you, or were they all locked onto their phones away in their internal world?
Thanks, Alan. I'm sure there were some folks in the airport people watching. Maybe ruminating about life, or exploring old memories. But mostly, everyone was glued to their phones.
Yeah we’re all guilty of it I know, but it comes at a cost. We lose the opportunity to see and learn from the world around us and we don’t interact with other people around us, even if it’s just to hi and give a smile to a stranger. Sometimes I think we’ve got to stop and look around and let the world in a bit more, it helps put things into perspective. It lets us think and see some of the bigger picture. You saw the lady and the wheelchair and your empathy shows. We all have baggage we carry, but I can guarantee there are others around us with bigger, heavier suitcases to carry than ours. Your message and observation teaches us to be grateful for what we have. Once we are locked onto our phone, we lose sight of the big picture, and our problems often appear and seem bigger than they actually are. It’s not reality.
Yes. The grace of noticing, without judgement, evaluation or disdain gives life a depth and resonance that's priceless. Thanks for the poignant reminder.
Well put, Robert. Thanks for reading.
The world needs more Denmans...
Agreed. Thanks for reading, Paul.
I like the way this story feels... especially the story about Skipper
Thank you, Brenda. Skipper was such a sweet kid. I have not idea where life took him after our school days, but I hope it contained more joy than sorrow.
Beautifully expressed.... you demonstrate the Buddhist concept of "dana" so simply... generosity of spirit. Your insights are so giving. Thank you.
Thank you, Grace. My parents taught me generosity of spirit. And my grandmothers, so I was blessed with good teachers.
Heartwarming and thought provoking essay! Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Sandra.
Yes, we all carry some burden, like the lady pushing the wheelchair or Skipper. It may not be physically evident, as you note, but we all carry a burden. I'm a Christian just returned from the noon-time Lenten service at our church. There we are encouraged to leave our burdens and let the Lord carry them for us. What a relief! Afterward, we enjoy a nice lunch and chat with friends and other attendees. Then I came home and read your wonderful essay and accompanying photo. Perfect! It helps to be reminded to see, really see others and appreciate that they are likely carrying burdens that we are unaware of. Thanks for the reminder to treat others kindly, as Mr. Denman treated Skipper.
So true.....this makes me realize even more how sad it is that some people are so addicted to their phone that they miss real life!
Thank you you sparked something today after I read this and again took a moment to post on my blog, referencing yours, but in a different more raw way. Anyways, I absolutely love your writing.
https://profgenovesebasilheretic.substack.com/p/the-weight-of-weightlessness?r=1lq6r&utm_medium=ios
Your writing today parallels a recent practice around the word “contemplation” that Richard Rudd has introduced me to John. Sometimes it looks and feels as though we’re losing our way, particularly with the technological and information overload that abounds. And then suddenly, evidence of what I’ve come to identify as “heart and soul energy” arrives in your post. I continue to find myself in awe of, and amazed by, how the universe conspires to affirm that “Perfectly on time gifted moments” are available to all of us if we can just take a few moments to pause, breathe and say thank you.
That's a beautiful one, John, the scars reflect one's journey in life, perhaps these difficulties make one immune to the external world...