“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.â€
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.â€
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Universe,
It is me again, your old pal Jack. I am following up on the note that I sent you in early November. Remember, I said that I am a semi-skeptic but that I am opening myself up to possibilities and opportunities. I suggested that if you wanted me to respond faster to your messages you should be more clear in what you say and how you say it.
Well, I still stand by that. I fancy myself a writer who dreams of one day earning the title of wordsmith so it is important to me to try to be precise with words. And by precise I mean to have the ability to make them dance, sing and shuffle on command. By precise I mean to have a strong enough command to say nothing when I mean something and something when I mean nothing.
Anyway universe things are beginning to move and I am sort of excited. I hear chains rattling and the creaks and squeaks of things shifting and I know that changes are on their way. Got to tell you that I am a mix of scared, proud and excited about some of these things.
I am proud because some of it was tough. You sent a few dragons and demons this way but didn’t bother to include a sword, shield or holy water. You forced me to deal with these beasties by using my own ingenuity and resourcefulness. In a few cases that mean that I had to take a beating and you know that is never much fun.
It sucks being smacked in the face and though I give as good as I get it is not the sort of physical horseplay that I prefer. Doesn’t mean that I shy away from it but the best part of being 40 something is that I don’t need to prove a damn thing to anyone other than myself. I mention this only because it felt like a couple of those situations played out in the public arena and I don’t know why that was.
This is where good communication comes in handy. Did I misunderstand what I was supposed to do or did the 230 pounds of five year old take over. Beats me, but I am sure you will let me know.
So universe, I have to tell you that my fear is really more of the good kind of excitement. I have this ticklish feeling in my feet and butterflies in my stomach. It is the kind of thing that makes me a little crazy. It reminds me of those days on the swim team when I would start getting prepped for my races.
I would find a quiet place in the bleachers and put on my Walkman and try to chill out, but sometimes that adrenalin would make my heart race and I would picture myself slicing through the water. The best moments always came when that surge hit while I was standing on the blocks, because when the gun went off I really did fly…
So universe I asked you for a bunch of things and it looks like you are delivering on them, at least I hope you are. I have three that are particularly important but I won’t mention them here but I think you know what they are.
But I will say ask that you give me a hand with the kids. They are good children but sometimes I think that they got a triple dose of my stubbornness and an extra shot of know-it-all. If you could help clear the wax out of their ears so that they understand that sometimes it is smarter to listen than to learn by doing I would appreciate it.
And universe let’s take a look at 2012 and review a few other things.
1) I am working out daily. The weights, treadmill and I are in synch but the diet isn’t quite what it could be. I recognize that my metabolism isn’t willing to pretend that we’re 18 anymore but I could use a hand here. Do I really have to give up carbs or can we negotiate terms that would be agreeable to both of us.
2) It would be great if you could give me more time to write and work on this book that we know I have in me. I don’t need much time at all to write these posts, but I need a few minutes to write the book. I want to take bits and pieces of the fragments and then weave them together into something that is bigger than they are alone. Here, I’ll share some links.
Living My Dreams
Wind and Waves
An Uncertain Certainty
Chasing Ghosts Isn’t Profitable
Anyway universe, it is after midnight and these kinder who call me abba expect me to have some time to play with them tomorrow so I think that sleep is going to be needed sooner than later.
I have a lot more to say and much more to share with you. Can’t wait to see if I what I have been told will happen really does and am ready to embrace all that comes my way.
2012 is going to be something special. What do you think?
The problem with the universe isn’t whether or not it listens, but if or when it will act. Sometimes I think the Universe is just too darn busy listening when it ought to be getting up off its duff and doing something…namely for me.
I look forward to seeing what this year brings for you, Jack. I look forward someday to being one of the little people who knew you when.
Well Chloe I made a deal with the universe in which I agreed not to mock, beat and or slap around its heavenly ass provided it adopted a time frame that worked with my own.
I think that it agreed to my terms but I don’t know for certain…yet. Stick around and you’ll hear. 🙂
2012 is going to be special. I know it, like deep down in my bones. So I’m all over that and offer my support in whatever way I can!
As for the kids’ attitude…hate to say it but maybe the apple doesn’t fall so far from the tree or as my sister says, “Payback’s a bitch.”
Hi Sandi,
I think that you are right, 2012 is going to be special. I appreciate the offer of assistance and would be pleased to do the same.
You are right about the kids, it is payback. Oh well. 🙂
Absolutely my friend; 2012 is going to be some kind of awesome. Clarity and prosperity, that’s what we will have.
The question is, did you shave that ape fur when you swam? Speedos are cool, huh?……not for me……I didn’t know the potato was supposed to go in the front.
Sounds like you have some excitement and enthusiasm brewing; I look forward to following your progress and we can all say ‘we knew you when’.
Talk to you soon.
Back in the swim team days I only shaved when we hit league and city finals.
Speedos had their moments. When you are a teenage boy and your girlfriend came to cheer you on you made a point to wear your parka.
But it did help you learn to how to focus on lots of other things.
With a bit of luck, a dash of hope and some effort I’ll be seeing some big changes soon. We shall see.
Be well.
Making words dance, sing and shuffle on command is something you have experience with, Jack. Hopefully the universe recognizes that…
Happy New Year Week!
Happy New Year Joe to you and yours. Let’s make 2012 ours.
I have every faith that the universe is listening. I talk to it all the time and the muses seem to send me nice little phrases that bring me joy and wonder. Keep writing and talking, you will be fine.
I hope that the muses continue to send you those little phrases because the joy and wonder that comes from that is spectacular.
Forward progress for all of us- onward and upward.
I hope the Universe listens, Jack!
Well Hook I expect the universe will or I shall grab by the short hairs and give it a good shake. 😉
Good to see you here.
Agreed! By April or so it should mainly be sorted.
I have been having some mighty testy dragons thrown in my path lately, too. Interesting.
April works, but I won’t complain if it happens sooner.
FWIW, I am thinking about making myself available for hire as a roaming Dragonslayer. Just need to work on the laser beam eyes. 🙂
Jack you are one wicked writer my friend and I’m sure you’re going to have an awesome 2012. by the way, could we be related? my kids also have way too much stubbornness and swear they know as much as the universe. even the 2 year old is like that.
Hi Vanita,
We certainly could be related. My kids reflect my own stubborn nature far too accurately. 😉
2012 is going to be good and not just for me.