I once was part of a small advanced study group. Near the end of our weeks together, the leader gave each of us a number of lined 3x 5 cards(equal to the number of us in the group) for each of us to write something positive that we had noticed about each of the other members. One noticed my giving nature, one, some leadership quality that they admired, or that I was a good listener. Professionally I was an RN, and a minister so those are expected qualities, but some noticed traits that I had not yet recognized in myself. After 40 years, it’s still a blessing to pull out those cards.
Your posts seem to notice the best in others and bring out the best in others. It reminds me of a quote by James Truslow Adams: “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.”
I’m thinking of providing 3x5 cards at Thanksgiving for our group of retired friends who will eat together.
How I look forward to your weekly letter. I always know it will be uplifting.
Thank you, Mary, I think the 3x5 card idea is wonderful, as well as the insight from James Truslow Adams. People are complex. Good parts, and bad. Thanks for reading and the kind words.
This piece reminds me of a verse in Hebrews, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." If we slow down long enough and engage with the world instead of our phones we will see opportunities all around us - sometimes we will be ministering angels, other times angels will minister to us.
Your writing is like therapy for me. I resonate so much with your writing, but today it is like an arrow. Your insights, experiences shared, are so helpful to me. I hope this awakens me to be more aware of my surroundings and pay attention.
Glad it’s helpful, Dennis. I think for all of us this business of being present, having gratitude, noticing, and finding empathy for others is a lifelong practice. Some days we succeed more than others—but it’s worth the effort.
Wonderful essay and message. I am a retired funeral director and embalmer and so relate to your experiences from your police work. I carry a lot of complicated memories from my 25+ years in deathcare and sometimes find it difficult to see beauty and hope in this world. Your weekly stories reconciling your past professional life with your present search for the goodness in people inspires me to do the same. Thank you.
As a retired funeral director, are you familiar with the books and poetry of Thomas Lynch? He was in the same profession as you and I’ve enjoyed some of his books. Thanks for reading and yes, look for the good in people. Sometimes it’s hiding, but it’s still there in many.
I did read "The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade" many years ago, but once I became immersed in my profession I sought out lighter reading choices. As you well know, police work is closely related to the funeral industry; it becomes/consumes your life.
oh wow... you so deal with that end of Life.... the bodies.. the stories..
but I bet some of them still speak to you... and after 25 yrs you probably know ... what a very personal & intimate job
I wish Death was more of a celebration... we all know our time is just a blip on the radar.. and Death is a doorway back home..our true home ...yet we struggle so hard to hold on
Yes, I still have clear recollections of my work, some incredibly fulfilling and others too awful to contemplate. These memories have definitely altered how I view life. You are correct about our time on earth and life's transience: I saw examples of this everyday.
just like you said police work & funeral industry are closely related in that you see the best & worse of humanity .. I hope you are able to put some of those memories to rest .... from what you written... you sound like you made peace with it... but you must have PTSD...there are things people should never see...... I hear paramedics are having to take leave of work because of what they are witnessing on our hwys up north with the pileups involving transports
Yes, I did see people at the absolute worst times of their life, but it was immensely rewarding to guide them through their grieving journey. And yes, I do wrestle with the amount of suffering I witnessed, from both the deceased and those they left behind. I am beyond fortunate that my husband and I live way out in the country; mother nature is profoundly healing.
again..Thankyou so much for opening & sharing..not the most enjoyable topic to revisit..... I too am very blessed to live in the country...actually it`s country surrounded by city... as the city won`t run sewer & water under the river...so we have been spared...
Thank you. I've already shared this one once. I'm up in the wee hours so it's easier to read than articulate rn. Your piece brings back memories & stirs further thoughts. Sometimes I've shot B&W film and it seems, even as an untrained layperson, to bring out things that color cannot. We can't all be Ansel Adams, but we don't need to be either. And then there's this compassionate Everyman aspect. Keep bringing these reminders.
Wouldn't mind the occasional cartoon though... are you doing any any more?
Thanks, Elizabeth. I agree about black and white photos, they have a timeless elegance and vintage aesthetic. As for cartoons, we’ll see. When I moved away from the personal development essays toward literary musings, the cartoons felt out of place and gimmicky. They pair well with self-help essays and lighter reflections, but I think elegant monochromatic photos work better with literary and serious writing. Thanks for reading.
John, thank you for this wonderful story! You brighten my day every time with your insightfulness! I appreciate you and what you do. Continue to write ✍️ and to take pictures 📸 📷 You are compassionate and I am thankful 🙏 for your work!
Chuckled when I read you statement, of how you feel cozy at home. Lately I had been thinking of going to church somewhere, about the only place to meet people in this small place. I was pondering which one, when I saw the apple trees in bloom behind my yard (in the woods, where I talk to God). This was probably the answer - no need for men made buildings, the church decorated itself. The next day we had a frost but the blossoms did not suffer, and some are still on the trees. Another Sustacker, MickeyZ, does what you do - go into town and take photos, sometimes centered around a colour, a letter, a subject. It is amazing what goes on in cities!
For many, nature is their church. There is such beauty and peace to be found there. I attend a Catholic Church on Sundays, as that was the tradition I was raised with. Although I don’t socialize much at church. I go more for the homilies, personal reflection, and spiritual edification. Thanks for reading, Ingrid.
Thanks Brenda. My old blog editor was clunky and time consuming, as was integrating it with my Flowdesk newsletter service. And I was sick of the bots and spam. Substack’s integrated blog and newsletter solves all that and saves me enormous time. Substack’s comment system, with its profile logins and emails, drives me a little crazy, but I know that’s how they deter spam. On the positive, Substack is made for writers, there’s a robust community here, and one’s work can be seen by more people.
Thanks, Brenda. Nicole and I just watched City of Angels again a few nights ago. We’ve given up on Cable TV with its infernal, loud, endless commercials and uninspiring movies. We created a bookshelf of our favorite movies on DVD and watch them…commercial free. But mostly I prefer good books, which are also commercial free.
the library here has a couple of free apps with films of different genres. the app whose name i remember is called Kanopy. every month or so i love to watch my favorite movie of all time - "Perfect Days" directed by Wim Wenders in 2023 with
Koji Yakusho. and lots of old music from the 60's & 70's in the soundtrack. fantastic!
Perfect Days is a favorite film of my wife and me. I love the zen like calm of the main character, and his humility, love and books, music, and his black and white photography.
I once was part of a small advanced study group. Near the end of our weeks together, the leader gave each of us a number of lined 3x 5 cards(equal to the number of us in the group) for each of us to write something positive that we had noticed about each of the other members. One noticed my giving nature, one, some leadership quality that they admired, or that I was a good listener. Professionally I was an RN, and a minister so those are expected qualities, but some noticed traits that I had not yet recognized in myself. After 40 years, it’s still a blessing to pull out those cards.
Your posts seem to notice the best in others and bring out the best in others. It reminds me of a quote by James Truslow Adams: “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.”
I’m thinking of providing 3x5 cards at Thanksgiving for our group of retired friends who will eat together.
How I look forward to your weekly letter. I always know it will be uplifting.
Thank you, Mary, I think the 3x5 card idea is wonderful, as well as the insight from James Truslow Adams. People are complex. Good parts, and bad. Thanks for reading and the kind words.
Thank you for this piece. It was a gem of an article 🙏
Thanks Steve, glad you liked it.
This piece reminds me of a verse in Hebrews, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." If we slow down long enough and engage with the world instead of our phones we will see opportunities all around us - sometimes we will be ministering angels, other times angels will minister to us.
I’ve always loved that quote from Hebrews, Ron. Thank you.
Your writing is like therapy for me. I resonate so much with your writing, but today it is like an arrow. Your insights, experiences shared, are so helpful to me. I hope this awakens me to be more aware of my surroundings and pay attention.
Glad it’s helpful, Dennis. I think for all of us this business of being present, having gratitude, noticing, and finding empathy for others is a lifelong practice. Some days we succeed more than others—but it’s worth the effort.
Wonderful essay and message. I am a retired funeral director and embalmer and so relate to your experiences from your police work. I carry a lot of complicated memories from my 25+ years in deathcare and sometimes find it difficult to see beauty and hope in this world. Your weekly stories reconciling your past professional life with your present search for the goodness in people inspires me to do the same. Thank you.
As a retired funeral director, are you familiar with the books and poetry of Thomas Lynch? He was in the same profession as you and I’ve enjoyed some of his books. Thanks for reading and yes, look for the good in people. Sometimes it’s hiding, but it’s still there in many.
I did read "The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade" many years ago, but once I became immersed in my profession I sought out lighter reading choices. As you well know, police work is closely related to the funeral industry; it becomes/consumes your life.
oh wow... you so deal with that end of Life.... the bodies.. the stories..
but I bet some of them still speak to you... and after 25 yrs you probably know ... what a very personal & intimate job
I wish Death was more of a celebration... we all know our time is just a blip on the radar.. and Death is a doorway back home..our true home ...yet we struggle so hard to hold on
Yes, I still have clear recollections of my work, some incredibly fulfilling and others too awful to contemplate. These memories have definitely altered how I view life. You are correct about our time on earth and life's transience: I saw examples of this everyday.
just like you said police work & funeral industry are closely related in that you see the best & worse of humanity .. I hope you are able to put some of those memories to rest .... from what you written... you sound like you made peace with it... but you must have PTSD...there are things people should never see...... I hear paramedics are having to take leave of work because of what they are witnessing on our hwys up north with the pileups involving transports
Yes, I did see people at the absolute worst times of their life, but it was immensely rewarding to guide them through their grieving journey. And yes, I do wrestle with the amount of suffering I witnessed, from both the deceased and those they left behind. I am beyond fortunate that my husband and I live way out in the country; mother nature is profoundly healing.
again..Thankyou so much for opening & sharing..not the most enjoyable topic to revisit..... I too am very blessed to live in the country...actually it`s country surrounded by city... as the city won`t run sewer & water under the river...so we have been spared...
Enjoyed talking to you : ))) take care
Thanks for writing and moving to Sunstack. I am always encouraged by both your reflections and photography.
Thanks Chayse, I’m hoping that my new “Weiss Journal” site on Substack resonates. Thanks for the kind words.
Always look forward to and enjoy your narratives! They are very thought provoking and interesting.
Thanks Gayle, I try to share my best thoughts and writing.
Thank you. I've already shared this one once. I'm up in the wee hours so it's easier to read than articulate rn. Your piece brings back memories & stirs further thoughts. Sometimes I've shot B&W film and it seems, even as an untrained layperson, to bring out things that color cannot. We can't all be Ansel Adams, but we don't need to be either. And then there's this compassionate Everyman aspect. Keep bringing these reminders.
Wouldn't mind the occasional cartoon though... are you doing any any more?
Thanks, Elizabeth. I agree about black and white photos, they have a timeless elegance and vintage aesthetic. As for cartoons, we’ll see. When I moved away from the personal development essays toward literary musings, the cartoons felt out of place and gimmicky. They pair well with self-help essays and lighter reflections, but I think elegant monochromatic photos work better with literary and serious writing. Thanks for reading.
Hello,
I always appreciate your pieces. They open a window to a different perspective for me and open my heart. Grazie!
Thanks, FiGi, I appreciate that.
I love your writing.
Thank you, Kirsti, I try to share my best work.
Thank you John Weiss. I needed this.
You’re welcome, Angie.
John, thank you for this wonderful story! You brighten my day every time with your insightfulness! I appreciate you and what you do. Continue to write ✍️ and to take pictures 📸 📷 You are compassionate and I am thankful 🙏 for your work!
Thank you, Debbie, I appreciate it.
A lovely piece.
Thanks, Frank.
Chuckled when I read you statement, of how you feel cozy at home. Lately I had been thinking of going to church somewhere, about the only place to meet people in this small place. I was pondering which one, when I saw the apple trees in bloom behind my yard (in the woods, where I talk to God). This was probably the answer - no need for men made buildings, the church decorated itself. The next day we had a frost but the blossoms did not suffer, and some are still on the trees. Another Sustacker, MickeyZ, does what you do - go into town and take photos, sometimes centered around a colour, a letter, a subject. It is amazing what goes on in cities!
For many, nature is their church. There is such beauty and peace to be found there. I attend a Catholic Church on Sundays, as that was the tradition I was raised with. Although I don’t socialize much at church. I go more for the homilies, personal reflection, and spiritual edification. Thanks for reading, Ingrid.
I like this new format John... good idea switching over
Thanks Brenda. My old blog editor was clunky and time consuming, as was integrating it with my Flowdesk newsletter service. And I was sick of the bots and spam. Substack’s integrated blog and newsletter solves all that and saves me enormous time. Substack’s comment system, with its profile logins and emails, drives me a little crazy, but I know that’s how they deter spam. On the positive, Substack is made for writers, there’s a robust community here, and one’s work can be seen by more people.
heard a lot of good things about Subtract ..
Great story John .... `lov it for the message ...so important
and I think I watched that movie too 100 x`s : )))
Thanks, Brenda. Nicole and I just watched City of Angels again a few nights ago. We’ve given up on Cable TV with its infernal, loud, endless commercials and uninspiring movies. We created a bookshelf of our favorite movies on DVD and watch them…commercial free. But mostly I prefer good books, which are also commercial free.
the library here has a couple of free apps with films of different genres. the app whose name i remember is called Kanopy. every month or so i love to watch my favorite movie of all time - "Perfect Days" directed by Wim Wenders in 2023 with
Koji Yakusho. and lots of old music from the 60's & 70's in the soundtrack. fantastic!
Perfect Days is a favorite film of my wife and me. I love the zen like calm of the main character, and his humility, love and books, music, and his black and white photography.
oh yes and the plants he cares for in his spare room.
awesome ... I gave up Shaw / Rogers too.. insane $$$ and watch free utube .... ( just mute the commercials )