New Beginning, Sweet Baby James, Why the Long Face?
Good Morning from Prince Edward Island, the refuge in the sea, so far.
Put the kettle on; it is time for a cuppa of something good.
I hope everyone is feeling ok today. There is a lot of angst with COVID-19 as it rolls out across the world.
This week, I read, Coronavirus offers "a blank page for a new beginning." Li Edelkoort is a trend forecaster who shared her perspective in this article. It is an interesting perspective. I loved reading the comments, as well.
Amongst several predictions, Edelkoort shared "the virus was causing a "quarantine of consumption" and would have a profound cultural and economic impact.
People would have to get used to living with fewer possessions and travelling less, she said, as the virus disrupts global supply chains and transportation networks."
While thinking about self-quarantine, I found the ideal place for Shirley, me and our family to go. Now if we can just get there. Take a peek. Anyone else care to go?
Be informed. Try this interesting interactive chart by Nicholas Kristof and Stewart Thompson of the New York Times. Give it a try here.
I know everything is "virus" these days but there are things we can do to increase our peace of mind.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ― Mother Theresa
Some intentional living ideas might be
- Go for a long walk, listen to sounds, notice the number of colours you see. Describe the colours and sounds in a journal.
- Take yourself for a one on one to your favourite coffee/tea shop.
- Put away the technology for a day.
- Buy yourself or someone else some flowers.
- Find some children to read to them.
- Buy a bird feeder and fill it up, might take a day or two before they show up, but there is fun in the anticipation as well.
Or do like my friend, Peter Rukavina shares in his blog post, aptly called Coping.
Speaking of the birds, part of my Saturday routine is to fill the feeders. It's Ok to feed wild birds, here are some tips to doing it the right way.
It warmed my heart to read this Washington Post story by Cathy Free. It is about a boy who asked his dad to help the homeless. Chase Hansen was four years old when he first noticed a homeless person while he was shopping at an outdoor mall in Salt Lake City with his dad.
"Chase looked at me and said, 'Dad, who are these people? Why don't they have a place to stay?'" recalled John Hansen, 44. "After I explained that they had run into hard times and were homeless, I knew that we were looking at an educational opportunity. My son wanted to help them." Now, father and son take them out to lunch each week. Read More Here.
“A community is like a ship, everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.” – Henrik Ibsen
After putting up the story last week of how the song, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, came to be, many of you shared memories in the comment section or sent an email to me. Thank you.
I purchased my second album when I was 14, Sweet Baby James by James Taylor. I wore the album out. We loved seeing James Taylor in concert on the Island a few years back. It was a beautiful experience and James Taylor is a lovely human.
This week, I share a video that I enjoyed watching a few times. Too much fun.
As I write this, I have been listening to Chang-Yong Shin's album Beethoven, Liszt & Chopin: Piano Works. Great energy. Take a listen here.
I am enjoying reading: Teaching By Heart by Thomas J. DeLong
Teaching by Heart summarizes the author's key insights gained from more than forty years of teaching and managing. It illustrates how teachers can both lift people up and let them down. It proposes that the best teachers are also leaders, and the best leaders are also teachers.
In examining how to lead and teach, renowned Harvard Business School professor Thomas J. DeLong takes the reader inside his own head and heart. He notes that, as teachers, we often focus more on our inadequacies and missteps than on our strengths and unique talents. He explains why this is so by dissecting and analyzing his own experiences--using himself as a case study.
Today is Millie's last official puppy training class. Like school for me, we did not do our homework. Consequently, we will spend the rest of our days learning things the hard way. LOL
Have a wonderful weekend, and if you have been blessed, be a blessing.
With lots of love from Prince Edward Island!
Sincerely,
Bruce & Millie
ps.
"My ancestry goes back all the way to Alexander the Great," said Christine. She then turned to Miriam and asked, "How far back does your family go?"
"I don't know," replied Miriam, "all of our records were lost in the flood."
Her husband overheard this and rolled his eyes and headed to the barn.
He walks into the stable and up to a horse, then says, "Why the long face?"
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