Me: I never liked Beauty and the Beast. He held her hostage.

Maggie: But she fell in love with him. Stockholm Syndrome.

Me: Exactly.

#maggie #lovewins

Do you know what one of the best feelings is?

The feeling that someone will love, support, and encourage you no matter what while you’re off chasing some crazy dream. That they got your back when you’re panning for gold under a starry Californian sky or planning a tater-tot party for two hundred.

Here’s a simple story because those are the best for emphasizing a point.

One time I entered some dumb contest to win tickets to a StarTalk show in the Bronx.^[1] It was on like a Thursday, six months away. I told someone my plot for adventure on the high seas and what I heard in return was:

You’re not going to be able to go. How would you get there?

I didn’t really care about actually going.

I care about dreaming because it makes me feel good, that I’m not letting life just pass me by while I’m sitting on the couch watching Bill and Ted and eating burnt grilled cheese.

And I also care about how people make me feel.

Any book is an important achievement, and you’ve put your heart and soul into this.

Pat someone on the back after they’ve busted their ass and you’ll have a best friend for life. Go out of your way for people and you’ll change how they feel about their place in the world. I missed that spiritual clue for the better part of my life.

Because it’s not about dreams coming true. Most don’t. It’s about the journey, of course. It’s about sailing those high seas with people that see the stars in our eyes and the wind in our hearts.

Sharing the ups and downs, the ebbs and flows with someone who cheers us on while we cheer them on with whatever^[2] their dreams and pursuits are.

When we love and enjoy regardless of what happens, life is magically voluptuous.

And then dreams we never knew were coming come true.

#photos #flowers #lovewins

1. If I would’ve won a ticket to that Bronx show I would’ve just kept it. Then I could say, “and then there was that one time I was the glorious winner of a golden StarTalk ticket. But I didn’t go because I don’t like talking to people.” ↑

2. Dreams have to be within reason of course, especially if there’s money involved. I daydream all the time but I also tinker with realism and know when to quit. ↑

Audio (MP3): 20190216 - Perpetuate the truth of love

Video (MP4): 20190216 - Perpetuate the truth of love

And then there was that one time that Jimi told me “love is an action.”

Another one of those conversations that changed everything.

When two people first meet they feel a certain kind of love, a romantic high that’s unparalleled. We’re on top of the world and nothing can touch us. And then as the relationship goes on that high fades because they always do.

And many a good people have said that the love is gone from their marriage or relationship or whatever. Unfortunately, that’s how love works. There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s not that we didn’t do something right. It’s because romantic love, in the beginning, is designed to stimulate us into loving action.

“Here’s how good life can be with another.”

Life gives us a golden ticket. If I just put that golden ticket into my pocket it’ll lose its luster. It’ll get crumpled. Love’s an amusement park full of thrills and chills so I need to get my ass out there, run away with a beautiful girl, and ride the rides.

Because If I’m not feeling loving all I need to do is act lovingly.

Read more →

A few months back I subscribed to TIME magazine on a whim. It wasn’t because I’m a big fan. I don’t visit their website or follow them on any social media.

Regardless, I’ve enjoyed reading the issues. Overall TIME is a well balanced and fair publication with a good mix of current events, politics, technology, entertainment, etc.

This afternoon I was reading the article, The Internet Can Make Us Feel Awful. The author quoted the book, Dignity, by Donna Hicks:

love is attention

This is why I read magazines, why I read newspapers: spiritual insights. For someone who’s struggle with relationships as much as I have, struggled with what I’m supposed to do, this line clarified so much. So much.

#photos #writtenword #lovewins

And then there was that one time Sara and I were at Lake Michigan last June 26, 2017. Another couple standing by the lake farther down from us in an oh so picturesque moment. I snapped their photo because the sunset, the lake, the lovebirds, it was all too beautiful not to.

Then Sara went over and asked if they’d like the picture. They agreed, somewhat suspiciously so then I sent them a text with the picture.

The phone number they gave never responded and frankly, I was a little disappointed that I didn’t even get a “thank you” response.

And that was the end of the story.

But then it wasn’t.

I saved the text message month over month and planned to message them again on June 26, 2018. I have a hard time remembering what the date is but on the 28th my duty called.

I took a screenshot of our original one-sided text conversation and sent them a little note.

I was pretty pleased with their response. 💛

I don’t like talking to strangers or people in general but sometimes life taps me on the shoulder and I’m always grateful when I pay attention.

And I’m even more grateful that Sara reached out to these two.

Because #lovewins

#photos #sunsets