Geography Bias

Geography Bias

These are the lessons that we should be teaching our smallest children.

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The Ritual of Habit

As autumn turns I have noticed one of the comforts of drinking coffee. Or rather, I have noticed the lack of such comforts having given up not just the habit of coffee but all caffeine. It was a simple comfort, a ritual. A steaming cup of hot liquid clutched on a cold morning. Warmth to off-set the chill.

Then I rediscovered Tea. Yeah, yeah, alright, Herb Tea. Specifically caffeine-free herbal brews. Those strange concoctions that my on-again-off-again vegan friend used to insist I try. Flowers and rose hips and Chamomile and ... I dutifully complied. There might have been one or perhaps two ulterior motives that turned me from the dark roast side, if only temporarily.

The flavors of those days return. The luxurious times. Soaking in the exuberance of youth. A time of innocence, warmth and comfort.

Warmth to off-set the chill.

I lost a Charm

Charms and Talismans are empowered by our investment in them.  We choose to, in turn, try to possess both the object and the empowerment we attribute to them.

I lost a Charm.  It seems like a week ago, maybe longer.  The power that I had given the charm was a small portion of my Joy.  The little piece of Joy that I lost was akin to the feeling of surprise and elation that a small child has seeing "magic" for the first time.  Two weeks earlier or so I lost a Talisman.  I had empowered it as a symbol, a vessel that would hold the record of personal times.  I thought of it as a snapshot of my personal history, just a few frames.  Yet it was a physical symbol.  And it was mine.

I had just gone through a sufficient amount of "Acceptance" - the last level of grief - to even consider writing the obituary for Thelonious "Chip" Munk.  I would, of course, focus on the circle of life.  The inevitability of death, following birth.  I would also reminisce about being a small boy at the grand parent's cottage hand feeding peanuts to a chipmunk.

Knowing that small rodent-like creatures do not fare well in areas frequented by predators, it was easier to accept the loss of Thelonious.  Losing, or perhaps just misplacing, the small black notebook that contained recipes, old Gin Rummy scores, future dreams, and a High School Nerd had-to-have; a circular slide rule in its own pocket protector.  Even though I have not seen it longer than Thelonious I still insist on carrying it around with me.  I am ever watchful out of the corner of my eye to spot the worn plastic seams the tiny 6-ring binder.

In each case I am still trying to possess the Charm and the Talisman.  

So I didn't expect how wonderful ... and how very bittersweet ... it would be, after more than a week, to see Thelonious perched on the porch railing waiting for the peanut pile to be replenished.  It was very enjoyable to see her/him alive. But it was contrary to my Acceptance (rationale) of my loss.

When I saw Thelonious on the rail I recognized my desire to possess my Charm.

I do not need to invest in Thelonious.  I do not need to empower Thelonious.  She/He is discreetly perfect  in their own right.

When I saw Thelonious on the rail I recognized my desire to possess my Talisman.  Then I recognized that my Talisman was possessing my desire.  Why do I invest in any object that possesses me?  Why do I empower any object?   I recognize my desire to possess my little black notebook.  I recognize my little black notebook is possessing my desire.

let things be lost

let things be

things be

be

peace