Sharing is one of the finer pleasures life has to offer.
Sharing
There are countless clues that lead to us to surmise the fact that man has been on earth for a very long time. Proof of his existence is found in every aspect of research, from hieroglyphics written on cave walls to secrets hidden in the depths of the ocean, or embossed in desert sands and fossilized in mountain stone. Throughout history, man has always looked for ways to let others know that he was once here on earth.
What I’m curious about is how YOU want to be remembered. What type of lasting impressions do you want to leave? What will your legacy be? How will others know that you too were here?
For some, their legacy is fulfilled with their children and their families. For others, there is the hope to do something profound, to find fame as an artist, mathematician, scientist, inventor, or movie star. Inherently, and for whatever the reason, everyone desires to make some sort of a lasting, meaningful impression to record the simple fact “they” too, were here. For me, the legacy I hope to leave is tied to character and characterized as self-esteem; as to each, the path we know as life manipulates the manner and circumstance of our deeds. It allows most an overabundant opportunity to chance accomplishments on an unfathomable scale. I for one believe that the moral and ethical quality of those deeds is more worthy a testament to one’s life than the deed itself.
Today, we reside in the age of technological miracles, which avails us a huge assortment of ways to confirm our existence. Technology allows us a sagacious, almost effortless method of preserving and corroborating the fact that we too once walked the earth; and it does so in a manner far more astute than ancient hieroglyphics or hardened remains. In this day and age comes numerous scientific and industrial advances and each of them are at our disposal. They make possible, a simple and almost effortless template to corroborate and obtain eternal recognition. When you feel the need to “let it out,” whether it’s a pet peeve, a moment of giddiness, whimsicality or wit, or perhaps your spirit has been escalated by a thought, dream, or some other pleasantry that so fills you emotionally you think you’re going to bursting…share it. In this way, for as long as memory exists, you will be a part of that recollection. In moments of solitude, at family gatherings, when today adds itself to the memoirs of unique yesterdays and tomorrow becomes today, the tangible proofs of your being will be renewed.
YOU, as a person are a special individual, a singular, one of a kind human being who is and always will be in a constant state of growth and learning. As such, you will, no doubt make errors in judgment (everybody does) and you have to accept that about yourself. The beauty and truth of life can aptly be credited in one word to ‘fate’. Fate can deal you a different hand at anytime. Whether you’re flying high above the clouds on a sudden blast of benevolent wind or burrowing in the extreme depths of life’s abyss; learn from the experience… list the event in the journal of your past and then move on.
Memories accumulate consistently with the passing of time. They, being our greatest treasures, are well protected, documented, and carefully stored in a vault hidden somewhere within the vast chasm of self. In the confines of our minds, our past life dwells. Here, love and laughter deserve precedence to everything else for they are “keys” that unlock the way to happiness and lead us to contentment in life. Then at our leisure, on special occasions, or whenever there is a need, we can draw upon that warehouse of what was to replenish warmth and goodness once more.
Wherever we may travel, regardless of how far, this house of treasure lies quietly, awaiting our call. Its inventory constantly increasing as it blends the old with the new. It’s there for us to build on, to encourage our growth, and to remind us who we are. A distinctive characteristic of memories is the knowledge that with every tomorrow, we will be adding more. Sharing…one of the greater joys in life positively enforces every treasured moment by compounding its worth. Sharing can even make painful experiences bearable…allowing us to heal. Through “sharing” we can boast, inform, make jest, educate, signify, or merely pass the time. Whatever the circumstance or situation, there is no better way to document the fact that “we are here for a purpose and yes,” it does matter. by : Paul Ciccone, Jr.
All material is copyright by the individual authors. All other material on this web site, unless otherwise noted, is Copyright 2008 by Tuttimalia PublishingHumor
Earthly treasures, being susceptible to corrosion eventually wear out; or as it happens in some cases are taken from us. NONE lasts forever. Even our health will eventually fail us. If truly wise, we would build our happiness on things of an intangible nature and prioritize them before all others. Humor, when accepted in good taste is one of the most rewarding of such intangibles. It is a priceless commodity of unlimited power that helps us face life optimistically. Considered one of the very first medications ever discovered, laughter has been helping humans cope with life’s predicaments even before people had the ability to converse in a language. Looking at life’s situations with a sense of humor, and being able to laugh at them renders a beneficial perspective that keeps things in balance, especially when the trauma and troubles of living seem more prevalent than the joys. When we were kids, it just seemed to come naturally but society is bent on programming adults to take life seriously; hence, as adults we become cautious, even hesitant to laugh.
Statistics has it that good humor not only reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves the immune system…it simply makes us feel better. This “band-aid” for difficult times is the magnet that attracts the positives of our experiences. It is more contagious than a yawn and needs to be a regular part of every life simply because life’s pleasures are echoed with every “ho ho ho”.
Understand however, that humor is much more than laughter and that it has two faces. One is extremely beneficial or healthful. This amiable side stimulates wit, merriment, and pleasantries while inducing closeness and intimacy. The other is the sarcastic, detrimental, and/or hurtful visage that promotes prejudice and animosity by poking fun at ethnicity, circumstance, or people. This aspect of humor is neither therapeutic nor condoned for it gives rise to adversity, perhaps even contempt.
Laughing with others is an icebreaker, laughing at others is an icemaker! Admittedly, there are times when life presents major challenges and we need to act clearly, but behaving responsibly and efficiently doesn’t preclude humor and light-heartedness. In fact, taking a flexible, upbeat approach will not only improve our attitude towards life, it is crucial to self-development. Laughter, play, spontaneity, and improvisation are integral aspects of being human, healthy, happy, and successful. The beneficial type of humor is a power source of healing that comes to us without prescription. It knows no cultural boundaries, no specific language and has no restrictions on how or when to use (you cannot overdose). Laughter is not considered an aphrodisiac, yet when taken regularly it will enhance desire far more than any existing hormone treatment. As a tranquilizer, good humor it is rightfully rated at the top of all medications formulated to dispel feelings of anger and aggression. We all know the feeling of relief we get when someone in a group makes a ludicrous, bizarre, or otherwise zany comment during a tense situation.
Having the ability to perceive and express a sense of what’s clever or amusing is as necessary to our health as daily meals. Our fears dissipate and our excitement for living heightens; then, almost without knowing it, we achieve a positive attitude. In much the same way blooming flowers add beauty and fragrance to life, so too does good humor. Fundamentally, the condition of amusement doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of “jokes,” although it occasionally manifests itself in them. Humor and laughter are contiguous medicines that are readily available and free of charge (there are no upfront or hidden fees nor are they regulated by any government or insurance policies)!
Everyone ought to keep a constant supply on hand and readily accessible. By the way, it’s safe to remove the childproof cap because neither humor nor laughter is considered dangerous to children, nor will they reach an expiration date…they just don’t ever go “bad!”
Excerpt from the chapter “Humor” in OH Brother…
Are You a Cell Phone Junkie
I would be one of the first to admit that mobile phones have proven to be a PLUS in an emergency–it’s hard to beat the convenience of a cell phone (charged and with a paid up account) in such situations when help is needed and needed right now. However, it is my personal opinion that the inception of portable, pocket sized telephones that serve as mini entertainment centers was purposed more to satisfy the vanity of mankind than it was that of necessity and their usefulness therefore seems superfluous.
Please, accept in advance my apology to all cell phone users (those junkies of chit chat) who may find this article offensive. But I am tired, no…I am sick and tired of being an unwilling bystander made eavesdropper. I can’t stand cell phone users who inconsiderately draw me into meaningless chats or conversations that do not concern me nor demand my interest. Honestly, I detest the whole idea of people talking on them anywhere and anytime they feel like it just because they can. The many pointless calls made publicly, squander the time and money of everyone involved for they impose on the privacy of the nearby and contribute an atmosphere of uneasiness to all within earshot. Yet they persist.
Admit it; the majority of cell calls are of a frivolous, trivial, and inconsequential nature–”Hi! I’m at the mall, just checking in, I’m on my way, will be there soon, or I’ll get back to you!” Yet every day, more and more people are strapping cell phones to some part of their anatomy and conspicuously wrapping earphones to the side of their heads.Even worse are those daring driving to endanger individuals who take their eyes from the road and hands from the wheel to dial a number. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen them either, because they are everywhere…at every mall, park, stop sign, and intersection. Anywhere people stand in line or gather, there is someone with a cell infringing on somebody else’s right “not to hear”. It’s not as though one chooses to listen either, not the way many cell users brazenly volume up the jest of their chats to overpower the background of noise evident with any crowd.
Perhaps, to you I seem old fashioned…a crabby old man who is a bit too critical of the device…well, maybe I am–because in actuality it isn’t the cell phone, is it? It is a society that lacks any sense of “etiquette” for their use. Too many people these days have negligible manners to begin with anyhow and now they have a toy which not only allows them to be truly rude, offensive, and inconsiderate…it encourages them to!
Old is Just Old
To paraphrase Sophie Tucker: “I’ve been young and I’ve been old. Young is best. Screw old”.
Being OLD and growing OLD is NOT the same thing! The ugly truth is they’re not even close to being the same. It wasn’t all that long ago when old people were scattered little patches on the family quilt. Today senior citizens are everywhere. You see them picking their way along the sidewalks in your neighborhood by twos, threes, and fours. They infest the malls, edge stubbornly up and down grocery-store aisles, and uncannily always manage to be in someone’s way. They ride the buses, taking forever to step in; search their pockets or purses for the supposedly lost token that’s already in their hand; then plop into a seat as though they had just finished running the Boston Marathon. Then there are those who still think they can drive; the owners of great-wheeled barges who strap themselves in, chins up, aloof from everything and cruise unconsciously at their slower, stately pace –horns and curses be damned. Their one distinguishing feature–they are all old!
After reading numerous articles and hearing more and more lies, propaganda, myths — that imply being old is great; I have come to the dazzling and somewhat irrefutable conclusion…Anyone who says old is gold is either demented, a mindless optimist, under forty, or doing a study on aging. The senior years are golden years, right. Come off it–THEY SUCK! Take it from one who knows (I have been growing old for more than six decades)…and I can tell you this: being OLD sucks. There is but “fool’s gold” to be had, for those who discover their Golden Years.
To want, to desire is characteristic of all humans, regardless of which life cycle they are classified; it is part of our nature, just as growing old is. Ah, to have achieved the milestone of old age…here is where aging has every advantage. Understandably, the young have but few youthful memories with which to gild their lives; and they do not own a monopoly on the illusions of discovery. Endorsed with wisdom, aged people base their hopes on what is rational and attainable. Old Fogies (like me) have no more need for building castles in the air. Instead, we tend to clear off the debt of earthly habitations so we can spend the proceeds on pleasure; and holding no illusion of waiting for the winds of good fortune to waft us off to Elysian Fields and sublime heights, we choose putting spade to ground and turn the earth. Then in an all out effort seed and fertilize our gardens, hoping for a plentiful harvest. One rung at a time, we ascend ladders of our own making; and if we break or miss a step on the way to the top…well, that’s what living is about.
If we are to shun dangerous coasts upon sailing the turbulent seas of life…we must first learn to properly chart and compass. We need be prepared for unfriendly winds and foul weather, know how to reef our sails, and just as importantly…when to stay in safe harbor. Then, assuming from each experience we attain a little more knowledge of human and mother nature, we will one day learn how to control ourselves, to manage children, be compassionate, treat acquaintances with consideration, and our equals with proper respect. The cost of wisdom is not cheap and it never, ever goes on sale. A lifetime of doing is the only way I know for any one of us to savor life’s real worth.
Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something
Right now, as I am writing this snippet, my MIND is having lots of FUN toying with words. However, the specific parts of my body that are unhappy being held captive by what they consider an insignificant tale are becoming an increasing source of frustration.
Allow me to explain. Given the fact that my handwriting is an atrocious insult to the art of penmanship, I find typing a very real advantage in that it allows me to read what it is I have written. On the other hand, my fingers are too short to reach every key on this keypad comfortably and they are definitely too stubby to strike them accurately. The result is many needless mistakes and corrections that would not occur if I were using a pad and pencil. Then there is the added irritation of sitting for a time too long, when my legs have a tendency to go limp and the small of my back begins to ache. All this usually takes place just about the same time my butt decides it has been sat upon long enough and accentuates its discomfort by refusing to sit still. Stretching, changing positions, and leaning back helps temporarily to alleviate aching muscles but eventually discomfort overtakes desire; compelling me to get myself up and out of this chair to give this aged body a break. That’s the precise time my train of thought is flung out the window. No longer having the ability to concentrate, combined with bodily aches makes for disappointment in not completing a goal. Nevertheless, being in one position too long, even when doing something you truly enjoy, is not good for anyone.
Both mind and muscle thrive on activity, hence we need to move our bodies and stretch our minds regularly to avoid sluggishness and giving “dull” a prominent part in our daily routines. Stagnation can turn an otherwise eventful life stale, even foul in that it brings personal growth to a halt. Physical and mental motions combined are requisites to continued personal growth. In taking action, we prevent falling into slumps, deter depression, and encourage excitement in our lives. There is always some choice or some action, however small or insignificant it may seem, that can help push aside those roadblocks of doing nothing and clear the way to moving ahead.
Regardless of the situation, stagnation can be avoided simply by taking action, by doing something…anything at all. It doesn’t matter what that doing is so long as it involves doing!
Copyright by Tuttimalia Publishing
