Tag: connecting

A little Thoreau

The post reflects on the beauty and significance of each morning, emphasizing the opportunity for renewal and presence. It highlights a memorable sunrise in New Mexico, encouraging a focus on the present rather than the past. The author also quotes Thoreau, reinforcing the idea of awakening to new possibilities each day.

Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and may I say innocence, with Nature herself. -Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854.

Not sure how you approach the morning, but let me share mornings from where I watch. I’ve seen sunrise in New Mexico that just confidently welcome the day. A bright array of colors starts slowly peeking over the horizon. It is such a spectacle of visual elements that missing it would seemingly deprive you of the blessings from God.

Sunrise in New Mexico. November 29, 2024, 6:23 AM.

Sunrise in New Mexico on November 29, 2024 was one that just made me see even more evidence of the start of the day. The series of events that must occur. Surely this can be our best invitation to welcome and start the day.

Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me. – Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854

As the day begins anew with the rising of the sun, and the setting of the moon, there should be, I believe, a likened event where each day is a new opportunity, I could easily dwell on the past; what worked, what didn’t, opportunities taken, and missed. As a Christian, my focus should not be my past, but my present – what am I doing now. Not what I plan to do later.

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854.

We know that daybreak occurs. Ready or not, the sun also rises. To wake each day, to reawake day after day; as the sun rises so to do we.

( Sunset follows in the next post )

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So much to say, but …

Never could have seen or imagined things occurring here, and now. It was just yesterday. Maybe this past weekend. Time just blurred.

I have worked for many employers over many years. From a local grocery store, newspaper delivery, fast food chains, local restaurants I have seen many jobs come and go. Some were short-term and others were longer; employment depended at times on the bosses, scheduling and personal goals.

Serving my country a Soldier in the United States Army helped me understand and serve with duty and honor. Living overseas gave me opportunities to learn, immerse in local cultures, holidays, food and appreciate differences rather than denounce them. I served with a wide swath of American society. No one was better than anyone. No assignment or task was assigned by some nefarious means. We served together.

We all took the same oath. to serve the country, and follow the orders of an office, and not a party or person. This was the start of learning how to serve. And this soon became a part of me.

Being employed in universities affirmed the role of service. Lastly as Dean of the University Library service was keenly a part of my tenure. As I served on several organizations I found more comments as I encouraged others in their employment. Helping and simply listening were commonplace with me and were important for so much.

And that brings me to the current topic. I have never asked political stance, religious affiliation or loyalty to a person. I am not comfortable being asked nor will I answer the same. This day loyalty, or more specifically fealty, is infused in the news of the day.

Let me state that I am a Christian, knowing that judgment belongs to God alone. Not choosing to sound off-putting, I have friends who have been marginalized or dismissed and persecuted for their beliefs, parents, social status, orientation and any petty distinction.

Some of the connections to the hostile, the decisive, and the marginalized must be re-examined. This may be a time to make a disconnect and connect elsewhere.

Books to read

I am about halfway through Megan Kate Nelson’s “The Three-Cornered War”. A wonderfully written history of the Union Army, the Confederate Army, and Native Tribes in the Southwest, and the battles to claim the West. Exceptional and detailed primary sources, endnotes all linking the past together.

After setting through Oklahoma History in the 1970’s and later learning how the history taught in High School omitted events, it would not surprise me to learn the same happened in New Mexico.

Far too often in recent and current times some seek to revise history, and erase historical events and people. It is the story of time, place and people.

Something to think about

At the recent Veteran’s Day parade, something that made sense immediately was given to me. I didn’t have to stop and think a lot about it.

When a flag is retired it is done so with dignity and solemnity. Some have seen the retirement with the local American Legion or the Boy Scouts performing this ceremony.

I was presented with two of these. If you have served this nation you will know how the phrase “You are not forgotten” resonates. If you have not served, talk with a Veteran in your neighborhood or your town. Sometimes it is simply recognizing someone. Listening to them and inviting them to share helps a Veteran know that they are not forgotten.