The Paradox of our Time, Mindset, Opportunity, Finding Coins on the Floor

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.”

— Bob Moorehead (Words Aptly Spoken)

Well, well, well, here we are, a country without a leader. Who will be in command? Tune in tomorrow to get the final results. Are you sick of politics? #metoo, let’s focus on another part of life.

Did COVID disappear last night? I think you might see this little virus lose its importance over the coming weeks. I dreamt of writing last night; I was coy, touches of humor if you will, I can’t remember what I was writing, but I was using a pencil to complete a masterpiece. Maybe if I went old school, I could come up with better soup?

Nah, I’ll keep typing; I type like a girl; my handwriting skills are not well, and signing my name is an artistic expression instead of actual letters.  As I’ve shared before, I have minimal skills.  

We worked at home until 10:30; we headed down the hill and met a friend at the Cherry Cricket. The Cherry Cricket is an iconic bar in Cherry Creek. We met my friend Adams; he was sharing tales of Barbie Bowling back in the day. A time when patrons would bring their Barbie dressed as biker babes and then roll bowling balls, knocking them down. He said some folks got upset at the mistreatment of the Barbies. I love how people look for things that might offend; my God, folks, grow up.

Adams is a smart man; he deleted social media off his phone over five years ago. He was an early adopter; I followed suit 10/1 this year; life is better not being “social.” I’ll still drop my soup every morning, it’s a platform that allows for publication, but you’ll not see any other posts; I’ll keep my irresponsible life to myself. You can follow my Queen if you like; I’ll appear in her feed now and then, but I have a real-life to lead; my ether life has ended.

We left that face to face meeting and went and picked up some items for our home remodel. Our contractor is making the project fun; the bunk room is well underway—cheers to our new home. We met a friend and client for martinis at Simm’s, another iconic spot in Denver, this one much closer to our home. It’s the perfect meeting spot for us, halfway from our home and our Denver clients; the view is spectacular.    

We headed home and met the kids; we dined, my daughter made some gnarly tacos. I was suspicious at first, but the kid hit a home run. Carly Gail is a creative chef like her mother. We settled in the bean bags, watched the results roll in, and went to bed.

Our puppy did not get us up every hour on the hour; we got a good night of sleep; we are learning how to care for this creature; Jenny asked yesterday, “what the hell did we do?” I laughed, we are happy with our decision, but damn she is a lot of work.  

I now find my days split between in-person and virtual meetings. Usually, I run virtual until 10:00 or so and then head down the hill to meet two or three folks.  It’s a nice balance of connections. Today is a virtual day, although I plan to run down the mountain and get in a hike with my Queen. Work hard; play harder.

My team is meeting for a carrier connection. Since COVID, we have been meeting with our partners monthly to check in and keep abreast of their changes and find ways to help our partners grow. This morning one of our former interns, now with a carrier, is leading the meeting. He’s touting their worker’s compensation wins. 

I’m getting a notice on my phone that Exposure Notifications Available. Get information on possible exposure of COVID-19 by CO Department of Public Health and Environment. No, thank you, government entity; I don’t want you tracking my whereabouts. I’ll keep my location sacred; I wonder how many folks plug into this 1984 like application.  It is truly a Brave New World; Aldous would be proud.  Where is my SOMA!

We’ve planned our return trip to Indiana. We will return the Friday after Thanksgiving. We will take three days and enjoy the journey back home. We have a crate for the pup; we will use FURKOT and find pet-friendly VRBO’s. My Queen and I have decided that we do not like to be apart, we want to spend every waking moment with each other, rarely are we apart, it works for us, we are in love. It’s the two of us against the rest of you.

We are aligned on life; we see the world in the same frame, noting the nuance and uniqueness of the world we live in. It’s weird living in 2020; I believe this is a refreshing year for the rest of our lives; we will look back in the future and say, “do you remember 2020?” It’s a year that tests each person. It’s an experiment to see who can thrive and who acts like a turtle and retreating to their shell.   

For us, it’s a thriving time. Look for opportunities that didn’t exist last year and won’t live in the future. There is money lying on the floor in every corner. Some of us are getting off our ass and picking up the coins while others complain bitch, and moan about their plight in this world.

I’m an optimist; I see the blue skies daily, live in a community of like-minded folks, and found Galt’s Gulch. I was asked what drew us to CO; was it the lifestyle, the people, the opportunity, and I said “yes.” It’s all of those things. CO is a special place, as is our other home Indiana. Both have their benefits; both are now home.   Be good, thrive, survive, and quit your bitching and moaning, it’s one of the most incredible times to be alive, and I think many are wasting this precious time.

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.”

— Bob Moorehead (Words Aptly Spoken)