Siggy's Blurbs: Siggy's Edge of Country …

What would I care about if I go after my wife?  I can’t take my things with me.  I know from dust I come and from dust I return.  So what do I want to leave someone after I die–not much.  The only thing I care about and hope I can leave in good hands is my journals and poetry.  I would like to think at least a poem or two or three would outlive me.  Money can’t buy happiness.  Bill Gates, at one point, was the richest man in the world.  So what does he do but pour billions in a foundation so, maybe, he can make a difference.  Each person wonders if he/she will leave any kind of legacy.  And there are multiple ways of doing that.  It could be the memories your children have of you who in turn impact others.  Memories of you may not die so quickly.  Sometimes anyway.  Many people when they approach the end of their life wonder about the legacy they will leave behind.  At least I do.

Tags: Bill Gates, billions, can't take things with you, death, end of life, foundation, from dust to dust, journals, make a difference, money can't buy happiness, my wife, poem, poetry, rich, your children's memories of you, your legacy
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There are two ways to face your life: either with fear or courage. Yes, there are evil forces out there and if you give in to fear and paranoia, you become paralyzed.

You have so much in your control. Exert what is in your personal sphere. Change what you can and live as if you can make a difference. And you can. And will.

Act as if you can change the world and that tiny mustard seed you possess will grow mighty and conquer armies. Every movement started with one person.

Never give up the power of one. You can move mountains if you believe what you can do is important. Don’t lose yourself in power but believe you make a difference in other people’s lives.

If you view the powers out there, you may get discouraged. Do the small things the Lord is prompting you to do. Kindness and humility can melt icy exteriors.

Always start at home. Love your family and those around you. You may never know how someone you encouraged will move a mountain. Love always starts at home.

Tags: believe what you can do is important, change the world, change what you can, do the small things, do what is in your control, encourage people, face your life with courage, God, humility, kindness, love, love those around you, love your family, make a difference, move mountains, mustard seed, start at home, the Lord, the power of one person, you can make a difference
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Take the time to learn other peoples’ names.  It always makes a difference.  Others want to be called by their proper names.  It always makes a difference.

So ask the names of people you have frequent contact with.  Do not hesitate to ask their names again and again until theirs are fixed in your mind.  Others always appreciate that.

Then you can gradually become more personal with them.  It might take awhile but you will learn about them quicker if you (first) went to the trouble of (first) learning their correct name.  It always starts there.

Tags: appreciate, ask the names of people, learn about other people, learn other people's names, make a difference, more personal, your name
Posted in knowledge&learning, life, relationships, time, wisdom | 2 Comments »

My Eulogy

Writing our own eulogy is our latest exercise in our small writing group “Inklings”.  I really am balking at doing this exercise.  I am finding this to be a very difficult thing to do.

I guess I am afraid my life has been in vain–just an exercise in futility.  My life is an illusion.  I like to think I matter to others but maybe I don’t.  Maybe the only person I make a difference to is my wife (and no one beyond that).

I write about things that matter to me and maybe that is an exercise in futility, too.  I really don’t know.  I am afraid to write my eulogy.  I can not listen to my own eulogy although if I could I am not sure I would want to.

I am not sure anyone would come to my funeral.  I’d like to think at least one person namely my wife and two kids who are young adults would notice my passing.

Anyway, it has taken me several paragraphs to get here.  Despite my reluctance I will attempt to write my eulogy.

I like to think that after I die some of my words I have written (thousands) would inspire someone out there.  I would like to think I have earned the respect of people and would be considered a kind person.  And maybe I do not deserve that reputation although I would like to think I have.

I like to believe there would be a celebration of a life well spent.  That most of the memories I left behind would be good ones.

I do not know whether I will live to the day that I will have grandchildren.  It still may happen.  If so, I hope I will leave them a legacy behind–something for them to aspire to.  I want others to believe never to give up no matter how difficult your situation has become.  Perhaps my struggle with my bipolar illness will give others hope if they had to deal with a mental illness.  There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

I want others to laugh at some of the words I have written.  Humor is important.  One should never forget to laugh at oneself.  Never take yourself too important.  I hope others will occasionally come across some of my humorous poetry and laugh.

May I have imparted to my children how beautiful this world really is.  A sense of wonder is a legacy I would be proud to have imparted.

Maybe I can sum up in one sentence the legacy I would hope I have imparted to others:  to be able to laugh, to see the beauty in the commonplace, to never give up whatever your difficulties and to learn to love those around you.

If that is part of the memories most of the people who I have left behind have of me I would be proud and would feel my life has been well spent.

Tags: afraid my life is in vain, afraid to write eulogy, aspire to, beautiful world, beauty in the commonplace, bipolar illness, celebration, difficult situation, difficult to write, earn respect, exercise in futility, give others hope, grandchildren, humor is important, humorous poetry, Inklings, kind person, laugh, laugh at oneself, leave good memories behind, life an illusion, life well spent, light at end of tunnel, love those around you, make a difference, matter to others, my eulogy, my funeral, my legacy, my wife, never give up, notice my passing, proud of my legacy, reputation, sense of wonder, two kids, write about what matters to me, write to inspire someone, writing group
Posted in balance, beauty, children, death, God, humor, knowledge&learning, life, love, marriage, nature, relationships, seasons, time, wisdom, writing, your job/mission/profession | 2 Comments »

If you want to cheat death, don’t worry about your life.  Take the place in the universe God Has given you.

Do what you are commanded to do, what the tiny voice inside of you is directing you to do.

Consequences always exist.  Do not be concerned about them.  Sure, take reasonable precautions, but do not let them shackle you.  Your place in the universes is unraveling.  Do not be afraid.

Follow your heart.  Sometimes it may deceive you but always return to the best life has to offer you.  Do not look at other people’s progress.  Looks are always deceiving.

Vibrate to the pulse of your universe.  It is your place.  Do not be concerned of your significance.  When you are fulfilling only the role, the place put on the earth for you there is never shame.

Too many people are trapped by the expectations of others.  Meet yours first and remember each one of us is important to the Almighty.  That is hard to fathom but fulfill the path He is laying out for you.  It is uniquely yours.  And the more you follow it the more your ripples can change the universes.  One person can change the world.  You have to believe you are here for a purpose.  You may not know it but believe you can make a difference.

To believe otherwise is to lead a life of despair.  Act as if you matter.  And you will.

Tags: change the world, death, despair, follow His path, follow your heart, God, here for a purpose, important to the Almighty, life, life of despair, living, make a difference, The Almighty, tiny voice inside you, trapped in expectations of others, you matter, your place in the universe
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Saturday, February 14, 2009, 7:13 am
You Can Change the World

Life is very precious.  Every day.  Yes, we can squander some time.  And that is okay.  But if you live as if your life does not matter, it is a life of despair.  You have to feel what you do matters and you can change the world.  It does not revolve around you.  Nevertheless you have to feel you make a difference in someone’s life otherwise it is a squandered life.  All we have to do is look around at the lives God put next to you.  There are always needs out there and hurting people.  You have to figure out how you can reach out to these people your lives are intertwined with.  You just have to open your eyes and listen.  The people are always there.  We were meant to love.  We are wired that way.

Tags: always needs out there, change the world, God, hurting people, life is very precious, love, make a difference, open your eyes and listen, reach out to people, we were meant to love
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