Well, this is disappointing. Once again, I looked up the special significance of March 24. This is what I got: Independent Accommodation Day · Purim · Commonwealth Covenant Day · Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice · Flatmates Day · Holika Dahana. The one I did not understand was Holika Dahana, which turns out to be a Hindu holiday where people build bonfires to celebrate the destruction of an demon.
All of that is interesting but I had not heard of any of them, so I will have to wing it (again).
The Vernal Equinox was just a few days ago, but here in San Diego, it remains cold to me (high in the 50s). Isn’t it supposed to be Spring? Now I know those of you who live at higher latitudes think I am crazy. I still remember when I worked in St. Joseph, Missouri in the late 70s and early 80s. When the daily high was going to be 50 degrees or more, we all wore short sleeve shirts for the first time since the snow and ice melted. Of course, I was a much younger man 40 years ago. My blood thinning began when I relocated from Missouri to Southern California, back in the days when this state was governed well. That seems like ancient times now.
There are benefits to aging, although sometimes they seem few and far between. The ability to retire with savings and Social Security is also great, especially if you have suffered with terrible bosses. I am certain most of us can relate to that. My life is much simpler now. Every day for 47 years, I woke at 6AM (in whatever country I was located at the time) to get ready for work. When overseas, the days would stretch well into the evenings as the big bosses wanted to celebrate that day’s meetings with fancy dinners and cocktails. Since that was usually France, Australia, or Brazil, I had no problem with that. Nowadays, I generally wake when my eyes open, usually around 7:30 or 8:00. I honestly do not miss traveling around the globe. I do cherish the memories of all the cruises my wife and I took (a few with the children in tow). My favorite was the trans-Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego (14 days). I think about another cruise from time to time, but it no longer excites me. I am not sure where I would want to go.
While traveling has lost most of its luster, I know I can continue to travel in the stories I tell. I have imagined creatures that thrive on gas giant planets like Jupiter. I created a Society of Humanity in the Andromeda Galaxy, and speculated about the future of humanity in several books, notably the Revolution Series. As I write, I put myself into those stories and feel as though I truly lived there. I created fantasy worlds where other forms of life rule, and others where living brains control massive spaceships seeking to convert all life to their cause.
For now, that is good enough for me. I look at my past and can see how far I have progressed. Moving forward is the best way to live life. Whatever happened yesterday is the past. The future is up to each of us, either through our actions, inaction, or the tales we tell. Now, I will settle for being a storyteller. That has motivated me since I was a child. My love for telling stories has not waned. I hope you find your niche and can do your best to fill it. That is all any of us can do. I wish you all the best!
Please take a few minutes out of your day to check out the posts by the other Rave Reviews Book Club authors who accompany me on this thirty day blog posting challenge. Click the link below to see what they have been up to. Thanks for your attention!
Hi, Karl,
It is always good when you can look back at your past and see that you have grown or improved. The indication that you have become a better person by adjusting to your changes is motivation to continue moving forward.
Wishing you a lovely day.
Shalom shalom
Pat, I believe that we must learn from the mistakes of our past. And I have made many. Being retired also gives me more time to think of the kind of person I want to be. We can all do better, and that is the gift of each new day. Again, I loved your music on the latest post.
Hi, Karl,
Life is an evolution of sorts, isn’t it? We live through phases that, when looking back, seem as if they should have been impossible, considering the phase we’re in now. I like this phase of life better than the others.
Like you, I’ve traveled a lot, and still enjoy cruising with my husband. We’re happy cruising to places we’ve already visited, which cuts down on frenetic activity during the few hours we have on shore. We do a little shopping now, and spend the rest of the time aboard the ship, which has plenty of activities and always-safe food and drink.
Most of my activity these days occurs in my head and spills out into stories. It’s a good place to be. Continue writing your imaginative and inspiring stories, Karl.
Blessings,
Patty
Hi Karl,
I don’t have much to say as you have said it all. Just running late and stopping by.