Every moment of each day we are alive is a miracle. It doesn't matter if the sun is bright and happy or if a down pour of rain is falling on my head, I appreciate it. Today was sunny until the afternoon and then a typhoon came in strong. It's amazing because in the park that afternoon everything was happy go lucky.
The seniors were playing "Go" and "Jangi" and enjoying the afternoon. They meet here everyday in the park spending the whole day in a game as onlookers are amazed at the moves they make. This oriental chess is not an athletic game but a game of the mind. The game of "Go" is too puzzling for me to master but Jangi is surprisingly similar to western chess.
Both games are good to sharpen the brain and also put a smile on your face. Some of these guys have been meeting in the same place for over forty years. It's an addictive game, but it is also a tactile game that requires the brain and the fingers to work together. I just passed by secretly. I envy them and would like to get out of the house to play a game or two.
I'm not ready for that stage of life yet, but I would like to break the pattern. What if I just took a couple hours off to do something crazy that I never did before? I know for these elderly gentlemen Jangi is an ordinary way of life, but for me it is new.
What if I joined in their game of chess even though I stink at it? I don't think they would laugh at me. I think they would be happy to see an American speak to them in their own language and play the game they love. Next time I will spend ten minutes and say hello and watch.
We make so many plans and say when this and this will happen when I do this and this and then I will be able to... WTFudge ice cream.
We are living now!! There is no telling how long we will live or even if we can be here to make a post on a blog.
Every life on earth is precious yet ephemeral, fleeting. When people meet me and find out my age they are shocked and say, "Oh, I thought you were like 15 years younger." I don't act my age and I don't look my age and I'm glad that I don't. I'm glad I'm a kid forever young and full of humor and hope and idealistic.
My life is like the mayfly born today without any promise of seeing another sunrise. What gives me or any of one us a right to be here any minute longer than we are to be? Are we entitled to collect something from this world? None of us are taking it with us when we are gone. Can you say you really own the land you walk on or own the air you breath or own the treasures in your vaults? Is this body you worked so hard to take care of really going to get you a few more days of happiness on earth? What about the crypto you stored up and staked in paper wallets? What are they in a fire or if they are thrown in a land field of rubbish? Can you distinguish your treasure from the decaying waste of the world?
The one thing we can do in this life time is to find a friend, a disciple, a son or a daughter and teach them well. Find one person you really trust and teach them the secrets of life one to one. Let one precious person know where your keys are. Let them know where you post and how. Let them know how to find their own niche and love them with all your heart. Enjoy the show everyday while you got it because one day the curtain will close.
In the meantime enjoy creation all around you. It's amazing. These two ducks here were having a great day. They knew the typhoon was coming but just keep swimming. When we came over the bridge they came closer to us as if they expected us to feed them. The fish did the same thing. Perhaps somebody decided to share their lunch with these feathered friends before we got there.
Maybe the birds knew the storm was coming, but we had no idea what a whopper of a storm was on its way that afternoon. We wanted to ride bikes but after a few drops of rain the winds picked up and we decided to head for home.
It was a good thing we did come home. The rain was extreme. At home we took a measuring cup and measured 250 ml per hour. That little stream with the ducks was now flooded. We had no idea the storm would hit this bad.
Would you know my name?
If I saw you in heaven
Would it be the same?
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand?
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand?
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way
Through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven
Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please
Beyond the door
There's peace, I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven
Would you know my name?
If I saw you in heaven
Would you be the same?
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
For the ones I love.
You kick ass!!
