Weight milestone: Welcome to the 180s, and one less belt notch.
How’s this e-mail, which I received from a class colleague today, for a funk remover:
Dear John, (I get these “Dear John” letters all the time. What’s up with that? Oh. “But you are, Blanche; you are!”)
While you have your 11 commandments (refers to 11 commandments of success included in my work e-mail signature), I have my own constitution… committed to memory. It is with the following that I live my life. On this Easter weekend, a time when I often think about those members of my family that are long gone in body and always close in spirit, I have decided to share with you a piece of writing that I hold very dear to my heart. I feel blessed to have found you in this world as you have a youthful energy that radiates a balance and strength that you do not find in many. I feel lucky to consider you a friend, and will celebrate your successes always. (Keep me posted, as I’m sure the laundry list of accomplishments both spiritual, personal, and private will continue to grow daily.) With no further ado, I send you the writings of Max Erhmann’s Desiderata circa 1927.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in this noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
This Easter, I will be thanking my God for sending you to me to remind me that freedom is a state of being and not a state of mind.
With love,
Amelia
Thank you, Amelia. My heart is full.
Easter is another one of those annoying annual events that keeps changing dates. I have now Palm Piloted that one through 2009 as well. Sometimes in March, sometimes in April. Easter Schmeaster!
I took a two-hour nap, and got up at 10:30PM. I checked my voice mail messages on my cell, and had a message from Steve: “Happy Anniversary, Honey! It’s Maundy Thursday.” We met on Maundy Thursday, we both believe in 2001. Remembering it still brings a smile to me face. We were both friends of Will, and Will was meeting him out that night, and I joined them. Will called him beforehand, and he was in the shower. Will handed me the phone, and said, “Here, meet Steve.” From the gitgo, we talked dirty to each other, and then really hit it off, much to Will’s chagrin, when we later met at Flex. The rest, as they say, his herstory.
Out, I met
Mary K Mart hosted the show, which always makes for a better show. It was super, super, super crowded in there — more evidence of more people off tomorrow for the holiday. I’m not bitter that I’m not off tomorrow. No, not me.