Dear Friend,
You are a human being, yes? Well, me, too. And along the pathway of our day to day-ing, as you know, there can be obstacles, do you agree? And still, we often feel surprised when obstacles pop up. We suddenly have to reroute our ‘normal,’ we have to pivot, learn new ways, and endure change(s). Especially when a loved one is hurting, we rally around them, try to give them hope, want them to feel better… because we care.
Discomfort comes in many forms, so does strength and resilience… how do YOU make it through the tough patches? How do YOU comfort your loved ones?
Human beings often invent work arounds when confronted with obstacles. As change makes its shifts in our lives, we each face changes differently. Some simply turn their frown upside down. Some look for distractions. Others find comfort in helping others or talking with friends and family… getting out in nature, spending time in meditation, prayer… or doing something creative.
In my letter / blog last week, #36: watch out, I talked a bit about Time and asked you whether you felt that you were punctual or not... I received a reply from our friend, Dr. Robert Shuman. With his permission, I am sharing his letter here:
“I don’t know what makes some of us always late, and others punctual. I have a good friend who is always on time, and insists that others be, too. He is a miserable, caustic jerk in normal company (but a great neurobiologist and an absolute delight to work with on projects). I am known as “The late Dr. S.” I am always and perpetually late, no matter what appointment I have. I worked on this failing for decades, with no “success”. Now, in my 80[, I think I know why I am happy although always late. When getting ready to depart for an appointment, I think of several small tasks which I really should do first, and I always optimistically think “it will only take a minute”. One small task reminds me of another, and before I leave (tardily) for my appointment I have solved a myriad of little things which are important for my peace of mind and/or for those whom I love and surround me. So I arrive a bit late because I started late, but with a sense of accomplishment of things promised which are now done and which matter to me and mine.
Paradoxically, I arrive late because I care!”
Our thanks to Dr. Robert Shuman for being willing to share his thoughtful letter with all of us! Readers of Tracks by the Post do seem to be kind and caring people.
Frank and I feel very grateful to know that YOU are there, checking in, and we want you to know that we also keep YOU in our Daily Thanksgivings!
Well, I’m happy to say that I’m writing to you from the table / desk in our trailer! We are excited to be actualizing this little rolling ‘home.’
I needed to be with family earlier today so I am posting this letter / blog MUCH later than usual. As always, thank you so much for being here to read Tracks by the Post.
By the way, did you know that tomorrow is National Play Dough Day? What? No play dough on hand with which to celebrate? You can prepare some for yourself and enjoy! Here’s a recipe that is supposed to be ‘the world’s best homemade play dough’ and it’s similar to one that I’ve made before. Not a ‘salt-dough’.
Please Write if you’d like to tell me about your work arounds… or to give me a new play dough recipe… or anything you might wish to talk about, I love to hear from you!
And if you have a letter, a story or an idea that you’d be willing to share on my website, please just let me know.
Wishing you a beautiful week ahead.
Gently Be,
Leslie and Frank
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