Category Archives: Inspiration

The Road to Diamond, Day199: Fatherhood at 37

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, Education, Family, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 15, 2025- In less than a month, Aram will be the same age that I was when he was born. There is a significance to this, which I cannot as yet divulge, but it is quite prescient. That age seems to be a call to maturity, in a very practical way. Aram has entered the field for which he has prepared, and is off to a good start. I rose to a solid position,in South Korea, around the time of his birth, and would have remained, but for family complications here in the U.S. I landed on my feet, once back here, but that is another story.

I was decidedly a late bloomer. My son does not have to be. He has long been recognized for leadership skills and has a solid work ethic. He is more grounded than I was, at that age. A number of mentors, both familial and professional, have helped in that regard. He is wise enough to seek our collective counsel, and to listen to the best of the advice given. I am confident in his future.

In our society that is at once aloof and indulgent, the skills that a person needs to succeed require a lot of self-discipline, of proactivity. There is a need for flexibility and for being able to find resources that make up for what government and industry may not offer, in the way of doing one’s job. Being able to see beyond make-work tasks, some of which are designed to salve the egos of higher-ups, is crucial. The superfluous still needs to get done, but even the most self-absorbed of corporate or public officials will appreciate a self-starter on their staff. One can always grouse, afterward, but the tasks will not go away on their own.

Fatherhood has some of the same aspects. One cannot argue, successfully with a toddler, or to a lesser extent, with a teenager. The hard work still needs to get done, though, and chances are the finished product will be a solid member of society, if the father (along with the mother) does not back away from core principles. As with teaching, the reward may not be seen until later, but the wait is worth it.

These are my thoughts, as my son actively considers becoming a father, in his own right.

The Road to Diamond, Day 198: The Weight of Duty

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Historical, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 14, 2025- Flag Day has come and gone-and over a million people flew our nation’s colours. The 250th Birthday of the United States Army has been observed-peacefully, with no strange command to turn on the American people. It was very unlikely to have happened, but there were those who expressed a worry about it. “No Kings Day” came and went-with a minor incident in Virginia, and one act of domestic terror,in Minnesota, which will be handled by law enforcement, including the U.S.Department of Justice. People across the political spectrum were able to express their opinions, with minimal confrontation. That is the spirit of our country, and it is alive and well.

Th president, in a moment of candor, told an interviewer that he doesn’t feel like a king, and that he is “going through hell to get anything done.” He should never feel like a king, nor should any future president. A president should feel respected, but not regal.

When I was a building principal, there were those students and parents who revered me and what I was doing. There were also those who despised me and opposed just about anything I was proposing. Both were heard, and some of what my opponents said made sense and was incorporated into our programs. That is the weight of duty-knowing that one will never please the masses, but that there are hard decisions that must be made, within the bounds of one’s authority. A good leader never tries to exceed those bounds, but knows how to accomplish things towards the public weal, as one understands it.

The enormity of the United States government, indeed the size of most governments in large and complex countries, implies that mistakes will be made, but also that the nation will survive, so long as there is not over-centralization. “No Kings” is more than likely going to remain a state of affairs. Even the most rigid of politicians could not hope to contain our rowdy, outspoken populace for much more than an off-year election cycle, if even that long. Thank God for small favours.

The Road to Diamond, Day 195: Many Moving Parts

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 11, 2025- My A/C unit was not installed today. It was scheduled, but stuff happened. It may be installed this summer, or may not. No matter- I have lived, quite nicely, with ceiling fans and a window box cooler in my bedroom, for fourteen years now. There are many moving parts to getting things done.

A team of twenty-five people got together, this afternoon, and made 1,000 packets of information for home-bound residents of our “metro” area. These include flyers on fire safety, establishing links to EMS, Life Alert and protection from scams. There are about 25 folders in each packet. Many moving parts put many moving parts into a useful compendium.

My schedule for the next six months also has many moving parts. I have described these in some detail, in earlier posts, and so will not elicit more yawns today. It’s just how life is panning out.

At this evening’s dinner, the matter of courtesy towards servers in public spaces came up. I was raised to treat people who wait on tables, clean buildings, cut hair, tend bar, act as park rangers or steward planes and trains with the utmost courtesy. My server, Seneca, mentioned that there are way too many people who forget their manners, especially on weekends. She will never have to worry about that with me. Servers, especially the young, mean a great deal to me and their self-confidence, alone, is worthy of encouragement. I know there are many moving parts to any sustained social situation, and that is precisely why courtesy, taking a step back, is so important.

The Road to Diamond, Day 194: On Silent Wings

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Posted by on in animal and plant life, children, collaborating, Community, impediments, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

June 10, 2025- At the close of an online meeting of friends, marking the Strawberry Moon, one sister lauded a young man who had traveled to the border of Tibet and had laid a vase in the ground. This practice of interring ceramic vases in significant places has gone on for nearly a decade, inspired by the words of a Nepalese monk. The vases are found all over the globe.

The sister spoke of an owl, which graces the skies of her home in Alberta, “flying on silent wings”, and likened the young man’s journey to that of the great raptor-quiet, graceful and with mission.

There are many purposeful journeys being undertaken now. Across the globe, children looking to be born make their way towards the light, in their mother’s safe and loving wombs. The women themselves walk the hard road towards delivery, in most cases supported by loving companions. Those of us who are past the child bearing or child rearing age walk the path of self-reliance, of self-healing, for as long as our minds and hearts allow. Youths who are not yet ready to assume the mantle of adulthood make their way through the morass of discovery.

No matter how we walk, ride or fly; whether we are silent, or noisome, the journey continues. Sometime, it is in fits and starts. Other days, it is smooth and steady. There are those who press on, ever forward. Others, longing for a past that was seldom as idyllic as they imagine, push backwards. To me, those who, like myself, recall a rather happy and fulfilling childhood and adolescence, are not fearful of change. Those whose memories are dark and terrifying want a reset, if for no other reason than to experience some light in their life, which they can associate with childhood innocence, even as their bodies are aging. Then, too, there are those who seek stasis, a period of entropy. Both in physical and metaphysical terms, these are bound to face disappointment. In both the visible and invisible realms of the Universe, nothing stands still.

So it continues, the flight on silent wings.

The Road to Diamond, Day 193: Power

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, distraction issues, Education, Historical, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 9, 2025- In the series,Marco Polo, Kublai Khan gives the air of an omnipotent ruler-acknowledging the legacy of his grandfather, Chingiz, while retaining for himself the aura of consummate masculinity. He notes that Marco’s father is rather derelict towards his son, while Kublai himself is actively involved in preparing his eldest son for an eventual seat on the throne. He therefore elects to take on Marco as a scion project, of sorts, assigning his corps of experts each a skill in which to train the young “Latin”. Even the concubines are given the task of challenging Marco’s sense of chastity, which Kublai expects him to retain.

Kublai has trained himself in the ways of power, and shows just how exhilarating, and exhausting, it can be. His power is both internal and external. Omnipotence, however, he has not. Gradually, Marco Polo comes to recognize the Great Khan’s limits and measures his own actions accordingly.

In historical reality, Kublai Khan had several rivals, and like virtually every other ruler of China, always had to be on his guard. There were occasions for brutal punishment of his nemeses, and times when it was best to placate them.

Each of us has moments when we feel in control of all we survey, and times when we feel impotent-in several areas of life. I have long accepted the challenges of maturity, including the realization that someday will find me in another realm. In the meantime, however, the tasks in front of me call for openness to new practices-dietary, social, technological and intellectual. Tasks which I am being asked to consider, this summer, will involve a measure of flexibility-particularly when two rather different tasks must be accomplished, on the same day.

Power is imbued from the Divine, yet almost always seems to emanate from within. Therein is what leads to a false sense of omnipotence, for so many people. I’m grateful, eternally, for the wisdom to know the difference.

The Road to Diamond, Day 192: Own Inner Voice Speaks

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Family, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

June 8, 2025- The message was crystal clear, this morning: “You need no coffee right now. Water is more urgent.” It was certainly a no-brainer; it’s hot, for the next several days. This, however, is a long-term notion. I can, and will, drastically cut back on coffee consumption (no more 3-4 cups a day), and when visiting lovely cafes, can order items such as “Golden Milk”, fruity coolers or chai, especially during our lengthy heat cycle. (It’s not just here in Arizona. Both places that are potentially alternate residences-North Texas and the Philippines, lend themselves well to consumption of cool beverages. Europe (September) will also have a plethora of healthy beverages, besides great coffee-and tea.

I have often relied on spirit guides, and the loving advice of friends and family, in both health-related matters and planning activities or travel. In planning changes to my diet, the past day or so, my own inner voice took charge. So, cool water or shakes will be at my side, while I read the morning paper.

Meals are always smaller in the summer. Breakfast, except for the Post on Sunday, is fairly small. Lunch is a plateful of nuts and crunchy (the traditional meaning of the word) mini-pretzels. Dinner is a modest portion of something healthful, though not often vegetarian or vegan. There is no going back to heavy.

I owe it to my little family, to someone else who I love very much and to so many, both here and across the globe, who have been so kind and devoted to my well-being, to cultivate and listen to the inner voice that wants me to stay the course, for another 25 years at least.

Raise a glass of cucumber or melon water, or a cup of coolness, to the faithful inner voice!

The Road to Diamond, Day 190: Ever Connected

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Family, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

June 6, 2025- As I sat this morning, contemplating what to do, as a hiking plan was interrupted by unforeseen circumstances, messages came to me from the single most important soul in my life, thus far. I was to firm up both short-term and long-range plans, for service in Prescott and Bellemont and for visiting friends in Europe, come September.

Forty-three years have gone by, since Penny and I committed to each other. That commitment endured a number of challenges, most seriously her hereditary disease, which dogged her all her life, but came on strongest in the 2000s, and eventually took her life. Those close to me know that she and I went through this hellish time together-and I did not flinch.

A friend of Kathy’s and mine, who also lives in the Philippines, wrote that the need of any woman is for her man to stand by her, and not use her as a plaything. Nothing is truer. My primary interest in Kathy is that she realizes her dreams and her own life plan. We both must tend to our respective families first, and if it comes to pass that we have time together, that will be gravy.

Getting back to the promptings of the spirit mentioned above, I have a few days at the turnover between June and July to devote to a group at Bellemont. There will be a lot of Red Cross work, both in person and online, the next two weeks. Slow Food, the Farmers Market and Solid Rock soup kitchen will continue to figure in the mix, throughout the summer.

I will fulfill promises made in 2016 and again last year, to visit friends in Sweden, Croatia and Great Britain, in September, with an initial stop in Iceland. There may be other places during and right after these visits. I have been told to stick to a one-day-at-a-time mentality, and so it will be.

In the end, today was a re-assuring day and a fair number of things were resolved-just no hike. I am ever grateful to all the people in my life, especially to the women, both living and in the ethereal world.

The Road to Diamond, Day 189: The Jacket

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 5, 2025- Over the past decade + of my work with the Red Cross, I have had the pleasure-and sometimes the challenge, of working with an often intense but generally loving man, a few years my senior. He has enjoyed covering the night shift at shelters, as long as his wife of 50 years has been by his side. He has enjoyed farm vacations, in his native state, in the upper Midwest. Most of all, he has enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing terrified, disconsolate people feel safe, while they are away from their homes during a disaster.

J has had to bow out of the work we have been doing together, these past twelve years, due to a slowly consuming disease. He is at the stage of looking back on his exemplary life, has had quality time with each of his children and some of those in his home state, whom he has known since they were kids. He and his wife have celebrated their wedding anniversary, with a chauffeured ride to/from a fine dining establishment. He is at peace.

When my time comes, I can only hope to have half as many memories as J has, and be at a modicum of the peace he seems to feel. I will, of course, be at his, and his wife’s disposal, during the rest of his earthly life, as will several of our co-workers, the members of our Red Cross family. Most importantly, though, I will wear the jacket he gave me a while back, and will wear the wisdom he imparted to me, inside.

The Road to Diamond, Day 185: Heads or Tails?

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Posted by on in Assistance, Community, Family, Inspiration, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

June 1, 2025- I received a notice from the airline that I’ve been using most often ,these past four years, that my accumulated miles will expire in six months. I have plans to use them, and to add to them, three months from now. Where exactly will depend on a couple of family-related matters that will take clearer shape, in the next month or two. I may be needed at that point in time, or the matter will wait until later in the Fall.

There is an energy in June that says: “Hold off; rest; take care of small, procedural matters and day-to-day interactions. This month, you probably won’t need to go far afield. ” I like that, actually. It will be enough to stand my ground, regarding July, and others’ demands and expectations for that month. It will be enough to plan a bit for September and October. It will be more than enough, still, to resolve the important, when the most important looms over it.

Much of what goes on in life is a flip of the coin. I can only hope that those for whom the toss does not go in their favour will understand that this is not personal. Family is most important; then come those extended family who deeply touch my heart; then comes the community that I have carefully chosen to serve. I realize this is all rather nebulous, but here we are. A lot of moving pieces need to be helped to find their places.

The Road to Diamond, Day 184: Age Doesn’t Matter

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Posted by on in collaborating, Community, Entertainment, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

May 31, 2025- Today was the birthday of one of my favourite Arizona musicians. Jessica Fleet turned ? years of age. She’s ageless, so it matters not what the number is. Jess and her partner, Bill Stoller, with their three or four accompanists, form Juniper Djinn-a spin-off of a Bisbee band called Barn Swallows. Swallows ceased operations about three years ago, with Juniper coming forward as a moving Preservation Hall of the great acoustic music of the 1920s and ’30s. Juniper goes to New Orleans, regularly, but mostly they are in Bisbee, or moving about Arizona.

When I focus on another person’s birthday, my tendency is to look in the mirror-and see a relentlessly maturing face. So far, there is no haggardness, a welcome respite for one who is 74.5. Age here doesn’t matter.

Many people seem to be sick and tired of May. The monthly arts and nature newspaper, 5 Senses, has already put out its June edition, about 4-5 days earlier than usual. Some of my associates are already planning for July. Of course, in Prescott that can’t be helped, since there is a major Frontier Days festival, along with the town’s signature Rodeo, associated with Independence Day. I am more in day-to-day mode, these next three months. May, for me, has been a good month-and I look forward to more goodness, and hopefully, few if any fires. The prime focus will be encouraging people to sign up as volunteers, across northern Arizona, in the event of sheltering needs.

Farmers Market has an energetic new manager, with whom I was grateful to work for the first time, this afternoon. The breakdown seemed much more organized, and in the heat of summer that’s a big deal. We were finished about 45 minutes earlier than previously, even with a busier market. Next weekend, due to a couple of afternoon engagements, I will show up for the market set-up, at 6:30 a.m. My tasks are to be simpler then, put out traffic cones and signs.

May is now done. Jessica is another year stronger, and the world is still making its way towards harmony and radiance. I am glad to have a part in some of it.