Essence
The strongest lesson I’ve learned as a journal keeper is that each day contains an essence. Sometimes that essence is obvious and other times extremely subtle. Regardless, it’s there. I’ve spent the past few weeks immersed in a disciplined exercise of documenting the essence of each day, but only by way of a single sentence - capturing the essence in essence. Perhaps this succinctness harkens to a favored quote by a favorite president: “The most valuable of talents is never using two words when one will do.” (Thomas Jefferson)
What follows are a few public-worthy excerpts...
Friday
After a long day which included a round trip to Charlottesville, empty nesting has recommenced, bring deeper relaxations and quieter times back into my life… but also those wake-you-from-your-sleep primal worries about things beyond your control.
Sunday
Not every day needs to contain thrills - like nailing a good speech or driving an SUV up a mountain - but how frequent do these highs need to occur to sustain a content existence?
Wednesday
After finishing off a fine meal and a fine imported red ale I settled into my fine leather lounger to squirmily watch a fine movie about a man who had to cut off his arm to stay alive.
Sunday
Today’s second reading, paraphrased and quite appropriate in today’s informationally overloaded society, stated: …it’s not what you let in that defiles you; it’s what you let out. (Mark 7:15)
Thursday
Couldn’t say no to the long time business associate who called inviting me to her private dinner party later this month at Cowboy Stadium in the private suite of owner Jerry Jones.
Friday
A Cabernet Franc was the pairing suggestion I purchased after describing to a local vintner the stewed cabbage casserole we’d be serving to our vegetarian, wine-loving dinner guest.
Sunday
On our way to the gym I say to my wife "my trusty old white hat has attained legendary status now that it’s been worn on more runs, hikes, and workouts than any other I’ve ever owned, and has even been atop a Colorado 14er".
Friday
Yesterday while driving along a country road I flashed my lights to warn a passing driver of a roadside deer ahead, and today - what goes around comes around - at the very same spot someone flashed me.
Saturday
From atop Mt. Marshall in Shenandoah National Park, I gaze out over the undulations of Virginia knowing that in less than 21 hours I’ll be halfway across the country in the flat prairielands of central Texas.
Sunday
As I wait for the rain delay to end, I feel completely anonymous sitting nearly alone in the upper deck of Texas Rangers stadium - a feeling well worth the $187 spent on a ticket, parking pass, rental car, GPS, lukewarm nachos, and souvenir cup of Budweiser.
Monday
Regrettably, I had to walk out on Aron Ralston’s captivating presentation due to a schedule conflict, but then later our paths crossed in the atrium where we exchanged a left-handed shake.
Tuesday
I’m very fortunate in that over the past ten years my employment has afforded all-expense-paid trips to Dallas, Virginia Beach, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, San Diego, La Jolla, Omaha, Lake Geneva, Columbia, three Springfields, Branson, White Sulphur Springs, Hot Springs, Nemacolin, Cambridge, London, Vail, Key Largo, Capitol Hill, Winston-Salem, Las Vegas, Grantville, Moundsville, Orlando, Savannah, Baltimore, Williamsburg, Stamford, Nashville and over the past few days, Dallas again.
