Inspiration Friday 2024.08.09

Inspiration: Happy Friday!
Today is the 222nd Day of 2024.

We have $222,000.00 today.
10% savings = $22,200.00
40% taxes = $88,800.00: This week I am expressing gratitude for these tax dollars being spent to support the Uncompahgre National Forest. It is in the state of Colorado. The Uncompahgre National Forest was established in 1905. Then in 1973 administratively combined with the Grand Mesa and Gunnison National Forests. You will find among other wonders the Uncompahgre Plateau, Uncompahgre Gorge and three wilderness areas to explore. Learn more here.

How will you be spending the remaining $111,000.00 today?

HERE IS MY PLAN: Slow Down Be Present

“We’re a species that rushes through everything, then complains that time flies.” – Steve Maraboli

How are you showing up in the world?

There is a sweet anticipation generated when opening a beloved book. My love affair with reading began as a child. I grew up in an era before computers, cell phones, and on demand television options. The public library was a preferred place to spend hours each summer. I remember walking 45 minutes down a bike path with both neighborhood friends and an entourage of our siblings to this hallowed sanctuary of knowledge.  To this day I can visualize the librarian putting a finger to her lips as we boisterously scattered into the quiet zone. Every year my goal was to read more books than in the previous summer. This annual ritual often began by rereading a few of my favorite stories before moving on to new adventures. Sometimes I would start with Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry, or A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. When was the last time you reread a favorite book? Author Debbie Franks wrote: “There is space on everyone’s bookshelves for books you have outgrown but cannot give away. They hold your youth between their pages, like flowers pressed on a half-forgotten summer’ day.” Imagine visiting familiar places, meeting up with old friends on the pages of a book, and disconnecting from the endless bombardment of technology. Books can assist people to fuel their curiosity, develop passions, and notice more life moments. The public library of my youth inspired my desire to be a better human. I read and donate books on a regular basis. How are you showing up in the world?

$100.00: Self-care. These dollars are funding a book hunting adventure. I will wander through used bookstores or a few Estate sales on my quest to find discarded favorites; or perhaps I will find new books that inspire my curiosity to venture into their pages. And I love that!

$0: Priceless: Conscious Conversations

“The great benefit of slowing down is reclaiming the time and tranquility to make meaningful connections–with people, with culture, with work, with nature, with our own bodies and minds.” – Carl Honore

I invite you to consider creating time to read and have more conscious conversations where you share stories that nudge you to be a better human. For example, on Facebook, a software engineer named Kavidu Theekshana posted a story he read about humanity. Then he invited his followers to send the story to their friends. Today I am sharing that story with you. The intention is to raise our awareness and compassion for others. What if we can?

“I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes, I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift, I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks, or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm, and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’

‘Oh, you’re such a good boy,’ she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’

‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.

‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.’

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’.

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, reaching for her purse.

‘Nothing,’ I said.

‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.

‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

At the bottom of this great story was a request to forward this – I deleted that request because if you have read to this point, you won’t have to be asked to pass it along you just will…

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance……….

How often do you put time and energy into meaningful connections? What was the last conscious conversation you had with family or friends? Sometimes you must drop your guard to allow your heart to breathe. Slow down and be present today.

$14,900.00:  These dollars are supporting the National Book Foundation’s educational program BookUp. “The BookUp project connects middle and high school students with local authors and runs free reading groups designed to improve participants’ social, emotional, and literacy skills.” Learn more about the National Book Foundation here.

$95,000.00:  These dollars are contributing to the purchase of books for the local grade school libraries. I am also sponsoring a reading challenge for the entire School Districts 5th graders. The 5th grade class that reads the most books by October 31st, this year, will have $5000 to spend on books that they can keep. How many books can you read by the end of October?   How open are you to living in a better world in 2024?

Respond to life with love. Repeat. What would it take?

$1000.00: for a date with my husband that includes continuing to watch the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. We are looking forward to enjoying the closing ceremonies of these Olympic Games this weekend in the comfort of our home. How loved can you stand it?

FLOW FIVE FRIDAY: Current “real” life expressions of gratitude, love, and contribution to wellbeing.

$5.00: this week’s five-dollar bill was placed inside a library book called Five O’clock Charlie by Marguerite Henry and illustrated by Wesley Dennis. I am choosing to be the energy of what works in life.

Five increments of time: This week I called and chatted with a friend in Connecticut. It was delightful and refreshing to slow down and connect as we shared our life updates. Being there; how does it get better than that? How are you “Flowing Five” this week?

Well-Being: Something that I am doing or not doing for self-care in real time. I am taking a chair yoga class. What are you doing or not doing for self-care?

Planet Awareness: Contributing to the health of Earth.

This is a hot summer in the United States. Did you know that according to research from Colorado University, we can contribute to lowering the heat of Earth by participating in Meatless Mondays for a year.  It takes more water to raise meat sources than it does plant-based food items. How many people can be meatless on Mondays? What are you doing for the health of our planet?

Hold Space or Contribute to a Friends Life Intention:

This week I am supporting my friend Tara who is challenging herself to have a meaningful connection daily with each of her children during the month of August. One of her living intentions is to be a loving mother who shows up for her children throughout their lifetime supporting them without interfering in their journey. One way that you can help support Tara’s living intention is to create a meaningful connection with someone who matters in your life today.

Choose joy. Be kind. Love others and strive to be a better human. What would it take?

Choose to feel good. Be Joy. 
Practice gratitude. Amplify Kindness. Expand Generosity. 
Ask, Receive, and Give with More Ease. 
Respond to life with Love.

PS: If you have been playing with me for several years, below are the current daily deposits in other years Vibrational Accounts:

2014 today is the 3866th day giving us $3,866,000.00 to spend
2015 today is the 3519thday giving us $3,519,000.00 to spend
2016 today is the 3137th day giving us $3,137,000.00 to spend
2017 today is the 2775th day giving us $2,775,000.00 to spend
2018 today is the 2412thday giving us $2,412,000.00 to spend
2019 today is the 2047th day giving us $2,047,000.00 to spend
2020 today is the 1682nd day giving us $1,682,000.00 to spend
2021 today is the 1447th day giving us $1,447,000.00 to spend
2022 today is the 950th day giving us $950,000.00 to spend
2023 today is the 591st day giving us $591,000.00 to spend