Christmas trees are out at Costco! Now, that is time moving too fast!
Thinking about the recent death of Queen Elizabeth ll at 96 years of age (more about that next week) has me counting the years. At soon to be 71 years old, I wonder how long I will live. Probably not more than 20 more years, if that long. (Although we really do not know, do we?) I remember the last 20 years as if they were yesterday. On this side of those 20 years, they seem so recent. 20 years ago was before I had any grandchildren. It was right after daughter Tara’s wedding, and before we did a major renovation on our home. I remember that time with fond memories. It seems impossible that 20 years have passed since then. But they have. And the next 20 will probably pass even quicker.
Mike with daughter Chatham and our newest grandchild, Hayden Elise, born 8/15/22.Grandson Drew (4.5 yrs), granddaughter Hayden (1 month) and Nana, 70! Our oldest granddaughter, Mary Grace (17) and our youngest granddaughter, Hayden (1 month.) Granddaughter Elsie, 15.
We obviously do not know how long we will live. Unless we have a serious illness that we assume will end in death, we often act as if we will live forever. That is, until someone we know who we did not expect to die does. I had that experience this week. I read on Facebook about the passing of someone I knew, a mom like me with children and grandchildren. I had not seen her lately, although I kept up with her through (of course) Facebook. She was the mother of one of my daughter Tara’s best friends when she was in elementary school. Rest In Peace, Celeste.
Out to dinner at Skull Creek Boathouse during our summer 2022 family trip to Hilton Head.Granddaughter Virginia and friend Alice out for lunch at City Club Raleigh. Imagine my surprise when Jeff Vojta, CEO of my favorite coffee, Stockton Graham in Raleigh, came into Northrop Mall in Southport, NC. Daughter Tara worked for him at Classic Coffees when she was 17, and said it was the best job she ever had, because he made it FUN!
I do not want these thoughts to be read as morbid. We all know that death is a part of life and that none of us outlives our time. What we do not know is how long our time will be. What we do know is that we can do our part to stay healthy physically, emotionally, and mentally. We can eat healthy food, exercise to stay limber, get enough good sleep, and keep our stress at a manageable level. We can avoid unhealthy habits, such as (especially excess) alcohol consumption. We can read to keep our minds active. We can spend time with those we love. We can focus on the positive in our life and do our best to rid ourselves of the negative. While we do not have any control over the length of our life, we can certainly influence it. Many diseases are due to or worsened by unhealthy lifestyles. Let’s be wise enough to do our part to remain as healthy as we can for as long as we can.
Long ago I recommended that we should not try to figure it all out, (whatever “all” is varies) or we will be immobilized since we can’t figure it all out, and probably if we try, we will not get anything done. Recently I have heard similar advice from two different people, worded a little differently.
As long as we take action. The combination of thinking and doing is powerful.
The first person who I heard talk about this is Brianna West on a podcast, “101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think,” which is also a book by the same title. West says, “Focus on the next right step.” (A necessary disclaimer. I love this work, but I do not appreciate the occasional use of profanity.) This is also discussed in an article in Joshua Becker’s September 2022 digital magazine, Simplify, an article by Leo Babauta. In Babauta’s article, “How Healthy Habits Spark Healthy Success,” he states, “Just take the next step.” Although these two are similar, Babauta’s word “take” is more action-oriented than West’s “focus on.” West’s “Focus on the next right step” places importance on “right.” I recommend we combine these two versions and “Take the next right step.”
We change the world by changing ourselves, by becoming our best selves.
Too often we are trying to figure out all of the steps involved in an action, when if we just take the next step, the rest of what we need to know and do will become clear. We need to trust the process and move forward by taking the next right step. We can think of the next right step as the most logical step. We can also think of it as the step we know we should take, even when we can’t figure out the steps after that.
Taking the next step helps things work out for our best.
This way of thinking and behaving, taking the next right step when we don’t have a clear sense of what should or will come after that step, requires trust and faith. Faith that the unfolding of those next steps will occur. Trust in the process.
It won’t be long until baby Hayden is taking steps! Her brother Drew is enamored with her.
Given the rapid pace and unpredictability of change, being able and willing to take action when we can’t see clearly past the next step requires courage. Courage that we will have what we need when we need it; maybe not before, but at the moment we need it. Courage that we will be able to deal with ambiguity. Courage that we are up for the challenge.
Is there a message for you in this? Is there something you have been resisting doing because you can’t clearly see all of the steps in the process? Are you trying to figure it all out before taking the next step?
Are you able to trust in yourself enough to move forward, take the next right step, and watch the others unfold?
Fall has not technically arrived yet, although in some ways it feels like it since Starbucks has released its every year eagerly awaited Pumpkin drinks. With this weekend being the last holiday of the summer season and most students already back in school, it will soon be time to get into a Fall mindset. Also, once Labor Day weekend has passed, there are only a few weeks until several holidays are upon us. September allows us to ease into all of that while enjoying the beauty of the Fall foliage. What can we do to prepare for the busyness that will soon be upon us?
Let’s ease into fall. Let’s give ourselves the time and space to relax and enjoy the beauty all around us before we prepare for winter. Even so, there are some things that we can do and do leisurely. We can make lists of the things we want to accomplish in September. If I do not write it down, it often does not get done. I sometimes think I can keep enough in my head, but that does not work as well as making a list, making sure to check it often, and crossing off tasks once they are completed. It is so easy for the days, months, and even years to slip away, and for us to not have a good sense of what was accomplished. Let’s change that in September. Now, for some specifics.
A spirit of gratitude is important.
We can begin to change out our clothes, putting away the summer clothes that will not be needed for a while. In doing so, we should decide what we did not wear enough to justify keeping, repair what needs to be repaired, and inventory what we need before doing any shopping. It is possible that we already have enough clothes that we do not need to purchase any more. Once we are in stores, however, if we have not inventoried our clothes, we can forget what we have.
Daughter Tara planted these beautiful flowers in our flower boxes.
Another worthwhile task is to clean out our kitchen cabinets, getting rid of what we do not use, or that we have too much of. I am not a good example of this. I have so many multiples of kitchen items and have a hard time letting go of any. I actually do use a lot of what I have, but not nearly as much as my cabinets house. Bowls are a good example. I have more bowls than I could use if I entertained weekly or even daily, and of course, I don’t do either! I have some bowls that I have never used, yet I have given them prime real estate, and continue to pile more things in the cabinets around them. It is time to purge.
NCSU’s Howling Cows coming in to be fed.
There is also the issue of linen closets. I have bed and bath linens that I never use yet keep stacked in closets. We, all of us, really only need two sets of bed linens per bed and two sets of bath linens per person. Since we have family that lives out of town and comes to visit several times a year, I need to keep more bath linens for those times, but not all that I have. Some of our excess comes from beach property we no longer own, so it is time to let go of those.
Our family enjoying ice cream at NCSU’s Howling Cow Dairy Education and Creamery.
A worthwhile task for me is to clean out my attics. I do not know most of what is really stored in them, but it is time to find out. Now, this will be emotional, and harder for me than cleaning out the kitchen cabinets and linen closets. I know there will be items from our children’s early years there in them that I do not want to part with, and that the almost 45 and 47-year-old “children” do not want. Not the Madame Alexander dolls, not the schoolwork papers, not the toys. Some of you have already been through this, and I should have as well. Any words of wisdom that you have for this will be appreciated.
Well, if I do all of this in September, September will not be relaxing at all! I am tired just thinking about it!
How about you? What do you want your September to include? At the end of the month, what would you like to have done? What will success feel like and look like for you?
The importance of kindness has been a common theme lately, probably since Covid. While kindness has always been important, I think it has become more so recently. There are signs of the focus on kindness everywhere. Examples are signs on restaurant doors, kindness written on t-shirts of servers in restaurants, and many other examples of this. I wonder, do we have a similar definition of kindness? Do most of us place the same priority on kindness as others? Important questions.
Our kind server at Rusty Hooks Restaurant in Southport. All of the staff wear these shirts, with the Rusty Hooks logo on the back.
I googled “kindness,” and found this definition: “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” It was also stated that kindness is more than being nice. While I would not have thought of “friendly” and “kindness” as the same, I can understand the connection, and I do believe that being generous and considerate are examples of kindness. There are many other examples. Other words used to describe kindness are compassion, courtesy, concern, gentleness, goodness, gracious, helpfulness, loving, neighborly, patience, thoughtfulness, understanding, and unselfishness. There are many other words used for kindness also.
It isn’t just about us, it is also about others.
An exercise that is sometimes recommended for increased self-awareness is to fast forward to our eulogy. What would others say about us? While we still have time, we might choose to improve in areas where we think we need improvement. Kindness might be one of those.
Years ago, I needed improvement in the area of kindness. I was sometimes described as “intimidating.” I do not see “intimidating” on the list of kindness behaviors! I decided to improve in the areas that others saw as negative, and that gave the impression that I was intimidating. While I am sure that there are times that I revert to being intimidating, I do not think it is common behavior.
I have had several expressions of kindness given to me lately. One was just last night at a restaurant we go to fairly often, Sawmill Tap Room. I had ordered a salad and did not finish it, so I asked for a “to go” box. The waiter brought me some extra salad dressing and a “go” cup of iced tea. That is an example of kindness. He didn’t have to, but he had a giving spirit.
Also, a friend sent me a gift of a journal, lovely napkins, and a Starbucks gift card, with a sweet note, as appreciation for something I did for her. In all of the years that I have known her, she has always given a gift of appreciation for anything done for her. I wish I could say the same.
Another friend recently gave me a gift of my favorite tea, which is Harrods from London. This was not found in a local store. She had to take her time to order it, and have it shipped. Since tea is my drink of choice, and Harrods is my favorite, this was so much appreciated.
A card I will keep and treasure forever.
I felt like Cinderella recently when I was given a very special gift of a pair of shoes. Someone I have known for many years, who has become a friend recently, knew that I wanted those shoes, and that I had decided that they were not affordable for me at this time. She wrote me the sweetest note about how much she appreciated me throughout the years, and said, “with this gift, allow me to show my appreciation.” Wow! I was so touched by her act of generosity and kindness. I believe that this totally selfless gift is one of the best examples of kindness ever shown to me. I want to consider how I can pay it forward.
One way in which we can all show kindness to others is through tipping more than is considered “required.” While tipping may be controversial, it is a part of our American culture, and has become expected. Since staff in restaurants are often working without enough help, those of us benefiting from their service can show our appreciation by tipping more than we would otherwise. Yes, money is tight for many of us, but if we can afford to eat out, we should show some kindness to those who are serving us. How much more, you might ask? That is a personal decision. Just more.
All gifts of kindness are not tangible gifts. How we treat others is also how we show kindness. Or not.
Here are a few ways to show kindness. Let’s give others a pass, and not wear our feelings on our shoulders. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is forget slights, manage our expectations, and appreciate others for who they are, ignoring when they disappoint us. This is hard for me, but that means it is something I need to work on.
Let me end this focus on kindness by thanking my readers for your support. I write what I think is needed, for me and others. I so appreciate others reading my musings.
Sometimes life gives us more disappointment than we are almost able to bear. Of course, there is plenty of joy also, and I do not ever forget that. That fact does not help, however, when I am having a pity party. I had one of those days this week, not helped at all by a gloomy weather day. Since I am by nature an optimistic person, those days do not throw me very often. This week, however, it did. I had a hard time pulling myself out of it. The purpose of sharing this with my readers is not to garner sympathy, but to relay what helped me get through it.
First of all, what does not help? When I am down, it does not help me for friends to try to help me focus on the positive. I know the positive. Nor does it help me for others to point out that this will pass, for I know that also, of course. It does not help me for others to tell funny stories or talk about what is going on with them. If I have been open enough to bear my heart with you, be caring enough to hang in there and do just a couple of simple things.
My beverage of choice is half-and-half iced tea.
Ask me, “How can I help?” And listen to my answer. Be willing to stay in conversation with me unless you have an urgent need to be elsewhere. Don’t be prescriptive and tell me what I need to do to pull myself out of it. Please, I ask my friends to be able to walk through this with me. If you are truly my friend, you know I will not stay down long. Longer this time than most times, but still not long.
A good and nutritious meal nourishes me holistically.
Do you know what you need the most from your friends and loved ones when you are feeling depleted? It is important to know what we need and to be able to ask for it if it is not offered, recognizing that in the asking, the other person may get defensive. We need to know ourselves well enough to be able to gauge how honest we can be about these things with others. With some people, we can have an open conversation that is safe, and yet not be able to have these conversations with others. What we do not need is to get into a conflict when we are trying to get support.
A good resource for us is Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages. When we need something from others, we should remember their dominant love language, or we may ask for it in a way that will assure we will not get what we need.
This love message from my 10-year-old granddaughter, Virginia, was left in my car by her, where it now stays so I can see it often.
What helped me to pull myself out of this mood this week? Getting busy physically, and getting out of my head. Also, thinking about how I could help others, and reaching out to them. Doing something for someone else always helps me focus less on myself. I needed to focus less on myself to get through that day. I walked some and read some. No, the problems creating the disappointments did not magically disappear, but my mood lifted, and I was able to deal with them in a healthier way.
An observation, not about this day of mine this week, but a general observation. I have noticed that many people are more self-absorbed lately than ever before. There does not seem to be enough caring about what other people are going through. Not enough tangible ways that people are reaching out and helping others in need. I am sure this is true about me as well as others. I think we need to be aware of this and find ways to begin to come together more. Let’s not blame it on our divisive political climate, for that is too easy. If we show more caring to others, it is possible there will be less division in general.
Of course, the birth of our latest grandchild, Hayden Elise, daughter of our youngest daughter, Chatham, and son-in-law, Johnathan, was a bright spot in the week.
I care less about your political party affiliation than I do your human affiliation. Let’s reach out and touch someone in a manner that is most meaningful to them. If we don’t know how, we can begin with a conversation and see where it takes us.
Given the stressors many people are experiencing these days, the potential for conflict between people is ever-present. Even with good intentions, it is easy to get into conflict with others. We need to be careful to not involve ourselves in disagreements when we are not directly involved, not when we are bystanders with an opinion about what is going on or being said. I am reminded of the quote, “Stay in Your Own Lane.” Other ways to word this are, “Not My Pig, Not My Farm.” Also, “Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys.”
A dear speaker friend, Elizabeth Jeffries, made the following statement many years ago, about the responsibility of speakers. “As a speaker, my responsibility is to comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comforted.” Most likely my readers fall into one of these categories, either needing to be disturbed or needing to be comforted. Hopefully, the ideas below will be helpful.
When hearing a conversation/conflict between others, stay out of it if it doesn’t concern you. This includes keeping your opinion to yourself unless someone asks your opinion, then be very careful how you word your answer. It does not matter how strongly you feel about what is being said, if you are not a part of the conversation, stay out of it.
2. If you observe a conflict between two people, stay out of it. If you jump into it, you can be assumed to be taking sides, which is not a place you want to be.
3. If you ask someone’s opinion, listen to their answer without reacting, getting defensive, or aggressive. Even when you are hearing something that you do not agree with or that is hurtful. If you asked their opinion and they give you an answer, you do damage when you exhibit these behaviors. You do not have to agree with them, and their opinion may in fact be wrong. But that is not the point. The point is you asked, and they answered. Assume they are honestly answering your question, with no agenda other than that.
The Crepe Myrtles are gorgeous in Raleigh, prettier than I think they have ever been. Or am I seeing them through different eyes?
4. When having a disagreement with another person, keep your cool and act like a reasonable adult. Do not create a scene. It matters not if you think you are justified in your behavior. Act like an adult in control of your behavior.
5. Do your very best to not feel or act defensively. Remember Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements. Agreement #2 is: “Don’t Take Anything Personally.” Agreement #3 is: “Don’t Make Assumptions.” Living by these 2 agreements can keep us out of a lot of trouble.
6. Regardless of who is most in the wrong when a conflict has occurred, the responsibility to make peace falls on the one who is able to. Even if she is the one who has been wronged. Even when what was done or said is not fair. Even when every fiber in you wants to hold on to it. Even when you know you will not soon forget the hurt. Even when doing so gives you no guarantee of being able to repair the damage that was done. Relationships are complex and complicated. People are at different stages of emotional maturity and mental stability. If you are able to reach out and begin to repair the damage, do it. Just because you can. Because everyone can’t.
This applies to relationships as well as other things.A delicious Cappuccino at Jubala in Lafayette Village in Raleigh.
Where are you in this? Are you comforted by the points made, or are you disturbed by them? Do you think that if you model this behavior, you might have less conflict with others?
As often happens, I write for myself as much as for others. This one certainly falls in that category.
“You do a lot more good as the leader of a pack than you do as a lone wolf.” These words were spoken by Dr. Jason Bull on one of the last shows of this series, Bull. I have been catching up on Bull episodes while helping a friend recover from surgery. Unfortunately, Bull ended with the last season, which I regret, since I love the show. I missed most of the last season, so I am playing catch up.
Dr. Jason Bull
What does this quote mean? What is the difference between the leader of a pack and a lone wolf? Well, hopefully, you know, and hopefully you find yourself as the leader of a pack and not a lone wolf. When Bull made this statement, he had been operating as a lone wolf, making unilateral decisions that affected others without getting their involvement or buy-in. Sure, he could do that, for he was the BOSS, the owner of the firm. But in doing so he ran off his star staff person, who was as important to the firm and its work, if not more so, than Bull. Some of you know what I mean, for you have worked with (“with” is a better word than “for,” although lone wolfs would think and would say, “worked for me.”)
And it probably never will be the same again!
In case you haven’t noticed, staff have had the upper hand since COVID. There are staff shortages everywhere, and that is affecting how we live and what we are able to buy, get, and have. It behooves management to do everything they can to keep the staff they do have happy. I am hearing too many disgruntled people who are at the verge of quitting, and unnecessarily so. Not because of money, not even because of lack of opportunity, not even because they do not like the work. What they do not like, in fact, abhor, is the politics! What is “politics,” you might ask? Haven’t we always had politics at work? What is different now?
These signs are everywhere.
“Politics” includes not involving staff in decision making, such as changing rules and policies without involving them, or worse yet, without even letting them know until they get caught in the change! “Politics” is not letting the staff know how important they are to the business, and how much the company and management appreciate them, that they are the necessary component of the company being able to stay in business. There is so much more, but that may suffice for now.
If you are in management, take heed. Don’t be foolish and let another staff person walk out the door for something you have the control to change. Understand that they can do without you, but you cannot do without them.
Enough Said!
If you are staff, give management and the company the opportunity to change what they need to change, before you take your toys elsewhere, thinking the grass will be greener elsewhere; it often isn’t. Don’t be impulsive. Show respect. The same is true for management.
In spite of everything that bothers us, we need to enjoy the natural beauty all around us.
Someone wise (attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt) once said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Nothing represents southern hospitality more than food and fellowship. I have had a lot of both lately. As I thought about this week’s blog, it occurred to me that we all may need a reminder of the importance of reaching out and touching others with food and other ways we show neighbors and friends that we care.
One of the lovely tables at the baby shower.Chatham, Johnathan, and Drew will soon welcome baby Hayden Elise.
Our family has had two events recently. The first was a baby shower hosted by my cousin Paula and her daughter Bridget for our youngest daughter, Chatham. Chatham and family, including husband Johnathan and son, Drew will welcome baby girl, Hayden Elise, to the family the week of August 15th. Paula and Bridget hosted a lovely shower with delicious food. While it would have been acceptable to some to have Costco hors d’oeuvres and pastries for the shower, Paula and Bridget (with the assistance of sous chefs friend Beth and our granddaughter, Mary Grace) prepared a lovely dinner. The star of the dinner was a delicious Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole. I made a Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole many years ago, but lost track of the recipe. While this is probably not the exact same recipe I had years ago, it is similar. I am so glad this recipe was resurrected by the shower hosts. Do give this recipe a try, and you will be glad that you did.
Bridget’s artistic ability resulted in beautiful touches at the shower.You might want to double this recipe, and share it with a friend or neighbor! The Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole is the star of the meal, served with new potatoes, peas, and salad.
The other event has been the surgery and recovery of good family friend Maureen, known to us as MoMo. MoMo had a rotator cuff repair a week ago, and I have been her main caretaker. What that means is I have prepared her meals and have been her “wheels” while she has been unable to drive. She and I have both enjoyed the time this has given us to be together without all of the rushings around that seems to take so much of our time. MoMo requested the Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole recipe for one of her meals. We have also enjoyed BLTs with fresh tomatoes and maple bacon on sourdough bread for several days for lunch.
This recipe, from my favorite cookbook, Even More Special, the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties of Durham, NC cookbook, is the best recipe for Asparagus. MoMo enjoyed a dinner of delicious baked salmon, baked asparagus, rice, and fresh corn on the cob.
The best and easiest salmon recipe.
One of MoMo’s neighbors brought her (us!) delicious spaghetti, salad, and mini chocolate chip banana muffins one evening. That was such a lovely gesture. I think many of us have gotten away from reaching out to our neighbors and friends when they have health issues or surgery, and I encourage us to get back to that. We should not be too busy to do so. Some of MoMo’s other friends brought her lunch of BLTs one day, (that is where our idea of having BLTs for lunch came from!) and other friends took her out for dinner once she was ready to venture out. These acts of hospitality mean so much when we are unable to cook and care for ourselves.
We need each other!
Apologies extended, if needed, to others outside of the South, for referring to these acts of kindness as “southern hospitality.” There are certainly many people outside of the South who show acts of kindness referred to here as “southern hospitality.” I will grant those people the designation of southerners, without the negative baggage that goes with it!
While cleaning out recently, I rediscovered Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning. Although I have rarely reread books, I decided this one should be. I wasn’t exactly sure what message I needed to find in rereading this book, but I have learned to follow the path, and see where it leads.
The sun setting over Villa Rica, GA.
Hopefully, you are familiar with Frankl’s story. He was a long-time prisoner in horrific concentration camps, whose father, mother, brother, and wife, all of his family but his sister, perished in the camps. He consistently suffered from hunger, cold, and brutality, yet he found life worth preserving, not choosing suicide as many others did.
Love, love, love this!
I am in awe of Frankl’s ability to find meaning in such dire circumstances in the concentration camps. Frankl was able to find moments of comfort through images of loved ones, by religion, and even by the comfort of nature, such as trees or sunsets. But those alone were not sufficient for Frankl to find meaning in his suffering. Frankl found that he was able to survive in spite of extreme indignities by finding meaning in his suffering, often quoting Nietzsche, “He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.” Frankl believed in existentialism, the central theme of which is: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering. If there is a purpose in life at all, there must be a purpose in suffering and dying.” Each person must find that purpose for himself, and must accept the responsibility to live his/her life consistent with that purpose.
Purpose defined another way.I didn’t read much to laugh about in Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning, but plenty to think, cry, and cheer about.
If Frankl, in spite of, or maybe because of, his extreme and brutal treatment and suffering was able to find meaning in those experiences, why not us? As bad as we think we have it or had it, our experiences cannot begin to compare.
Most of us will never have problems the magnitude of Frankl’s, yet at times we do have problems that shake us at the core. How do we find meaning in our circumstances? How do we find the purpose in our suffering and live our lives consistent with that purpose?
Two periods in history of unthinkable discrimination were aimed at Jews and Blacks.
I am not sure that I know. But I am sure Frankl’s message is timely for me at this point in my life. I will follow the path and see where it leads.
I spent three days in Atlanta at the Gift Market this week, sourcing items for my antiques and gifts business which is located in Southport, NC. This is a very part-time business, although I have had it for more than thirty years. I decided to go to the market this year to see what’s new, and to gauge what is selling. I was overwhelmed by all that is available. Whether you have a business like this or not, if you can, go to the Atlanta Gift Market once, and see where all the gift shops source their merchandise. You will never want to pay retail ever again.
My book published in 2017 about my year of very limited spending.
The showrooms were full of beautiful items, everything imaginable. Since I have a need for beauty, not just a want, I was in my element. I thoroughly enjoyed the hours spent looking at beautiful items, many of which were also functional. There were items at every price point. I bought from some vendors I have shopped with previously and also bought a couple of new lines.
Some of the treasures in my shop in Southport, NC.
Mike accompanied me to Atlanta, although he did not go to the show. We stayed in a hotel at Centennial Park, which was less than a ten-minute walk to the showrooms. Since I love to walk, I was glad to be able to do so. Although I enjoyed the exercise of the walks to and from the show, I did not enjoy some of the scenery.
One of the many showrooms at the Atlanta Gift Market.
Atlanta is no different than many cities these days, especially these days, with more homeless people than ever before. Although some of those living on the streets seemed to be zoned out, most that I interfaced with were respectful. I only felt afraid once. Some did ask for money, but they did not push when money was not given. My predominant thought about them was “there but for the grace.”
It was impossible for me to miss the juxtaposition of the opulence of many of the showrooms and the lack of even basic human needs being met in the men (all that I saw were men) living on the streets. At times when I was in the Atlanta Gift Market, enjoying the merchandise in the showrooms, the men I saw on the streets flashed through my mind. I even had the occasional thought that the merchandise in the showrooms was so artificial, and the needs of the men on the streets so real.
My favorite book by John Grisham about homelessness.
How are we to deal with the homeless problem? What is the right thing to do about giving money, or not? I am never sure. I did give one man $5 for his assistance with parking, and he remarked, “The homeless have something to offer after all!”
Of the many items for sale at the gift market, I think the two items that were most prevalent are hand towels and candles.
I think it is fine to enjoy the beauty all around us, and all of it certainly is not just found in showrooms. There is plenty of beauty in nature, and we should not be so lost in our devices that we miss it. But while we are enjoying the beauty, we should not lose sight of those we pass who seem to have lost not just the beauty of possessions, but who are living without even the basics of shelter and food. How can we allow basic human needs of some to not be met while so many are living in excess?
The beauty of truth should be a part of making everything around us beautiful.
I do not have the answers to these questions. But asking the questions is a start.
It's In The Sauce! 