This is truly moving, Bret - and a lot more profound than you’re giving yourself credit for! ❤️ Waving at you and sending good vibes from my own canoe!! XOXO - M
Martin Buber opens his classic *I and Thou* with "in the beginning was relationship." And life continues with the self-conscious I being related to countless others. Some have the gift of seeing their physical surroundings, nature, society, family, friends, government as more or less significant. Buber says that the most valued others are treated as "thous," for whom "I" care deeply, and who treat "me" likewise. When we treat a wider range of others as thous, we expand our souls, caring for humans, animals, plants and non-sentient things as kin. Works of art and the effects of natural processes stir us to love in response. For many, the freedom to love is supreme among experiences shared by beings of intelligence and emotion. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, which I see as a gesture of love. A spiritual master I admire says, "Peace and all good."
You are one of those people, Bret, that I would like to call friend. Of course, we've barely met, if at all. But I think we stand astride the same railroad tracks and our journey is the archetypal one that many people make: we want to be a force for good, as our friend John once said. That's enough, isn't it? I read your essays to the very end, which says a lot about what I find in your writings.
You are gold to me Bret. And no need to be humble. After 70 plus years of life you've earned your wisdom. I should know. I have traveled down the river along side of you for 30 years! xoxo
Howard Meyer (my real name but also with various aliases)
This is truly moving, Bret - and a lot more profound than you’re giving yourself credit for! ❤️ Waving at you and sending good vibes from my own canoe!! XOXO - M
I enjoyed your philosophical ramblings for the aged and the young who want a little advice!
Martin Buber opens his classic *I and Thou* with "in the beginning was relationship." And life continues with the self-conscious I being related to countless others. Some have the gift of seeing their physical surroundings, nature, society, family, friends, government as more or less significant. Buber says that the most valued others are treated as "thous," for whom "I" care deeply, and who treat "me" likewise. When we treat a wider range of others as thous, we expand our souls, caring for humans, animals, plants and non-sentient things as kin. Works of art and the effects of natural processes stir us to love in response. For many, the freedom to love is supreme among experiences shared by beings of intelligence and emotion. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, which I see as a gesture of love. A spiritual master I admire says, "Peace and all good."
You are one of those people, Bret, that I would like to call friend. Of course, we've barely met, if at all. But I think we stand astride the same railroad tracks and our journey is the archetypal one that many people make: we want to be a force for good, as our friend John once said. That's enough, isn't it? I read your essays to the very end, which says a lot about what I find in your writings.
Thank you, Arthur. I appreciate your kind words more than you can imagine.
Thank you Bret, that's both very moving and extremely good advice.
An analogy I can easily identify with. We are so fortunate to have had a river to paddle within. For some, life is a cesspool.
Amen. I live in gratitude.
You are gold to me Bret. And no need to be humble. After 70 plus years of life you've earned your wisdom. I should know. I have traveled down the river along side of you for 30 years! xoxo
Howard Meyer (my real name but also with various aliases)
And you've been a most welcome companion my friend.