FootprintsintheWind.com

A giving in receiving
grace in being cared for:
our presence softly

:- Doug.

There is a world of difference between fallings short and falling shorts.

:- Doug.

We forgive ourselves when we say we have fallen short of our own dreams and aspirations and we accept ourselves as valuable anyway. At one with ourselves we are reconciled to ourselves.

:- Doug.

A new reality it is when to people our daring invitation is “go deeply;” it breaks in upon us saying the older “tell them what you want them to do” is not ultimately enough.

:- Doug.

Nothing is final, always more to make.

:- Doug.

Wet is wet is beyond giving up: it is trying again mightily, again every day, giving out our best. Loving in the face of life as it comes at us.

:- Doug.

I want only to give some love.

:- Doug.

Are there consequences to telling a story?

:- Doug.

Alive, we are being
So why speak of a “way” of being?

:- Doug.

Life is a matter of throwing in what you can fashion. Then doing it all over again tomorrow. And when one can no longer fashion anything, then just being where you are. Being. Is the mystery.

:- Doug.

For whom might you choose to be an elder? For what?

:- Doug.

I brought questions!

:- Doug.

Elders have increasing dignity and worth, something important to contribute even when we can no longer contribute.

:- Doug.

Expansion and shrinking
accompany life’s respirations

:- Doug.

Mysticism meets meaninglessness
and faces that which holds both
that and meaning…as well as the mystic
in a healthy skepticism
of freshening eyes

:- Doug.

Our universe is a large swirling living mass—throw in all you’ve got to give!

:- Doug.

Every day you are getting closer to your death. But does it frighten you? It may even be easier to ponder than previously. But real grief and fear is in the death of your dreams! Can you apply what helps with one to the other?

:- Doug.

The death of a dream is perhaps to be mourned more than the death of a human. O mourn well! Fear both deaths and walk on.

:- Doug.

Human stupidity and cupidity know no limits. Love anyway. Speak up.

:- Doug.

Let’s exercise our fear, sorrow, pain, and vision.

:- Doug.

Do you fear you won’t measure up as an elder? Well you won’t. But you will do better than the one who won’t talk with that one’s grandchildren. You will have raised the quantity of eldering in the world one drop. All of us make a puddle. So what? Wet is wet.

:- Doug.

What we do in this life is the work of life. Though in our minds we can do more, this is what we did, and it suffices. We suffice. The horror, the falling short, the hugs sometimes—this is taking life seriously: being in it. Bringing to bear just a little more of ourselves. Do you fear that your contribution doesn’t meet your own standards? Then fear mightily and go out anyway.

:- Doug.

We have to take in that we have immense capacities and also that we mostly only use the least of them. Then every day we can try and we can cry, thus proving humanity for another turn.

:- Doug.