Recent Updates Page 61

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 2:49 pm on December 29, 2020
Tags: , dad, , , , , , , , , , ,   

Loss

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Happens
To us all
Even when
We’d rather

Forestall

The pain, and
Grief
From coming

Close

At heart, we hold
Those dear,
And, when there’s

A suddenance
To the loss,
We fall backward
And out of

Cadence

With our normal
Rhythm
Of life, not because
We’re made of strife

Rather, because
We’re a part of this
Very life,
Which contains

Both,
Misery and joy,
And, yes, we do
Employ them both, and

It’s okay to feel them

As needed,
Even prescriptive
When hidden

And, now I’m

At your hospital bed,
Awaiting your return

Hoping and praying

That it’s not
Your turn, yet
Knowing it’s likely

As we can see
The signs
Written
Upon

The wall of your life,

Nay, our life,
Together

Because, yes, we
Were friends, and
Strangers in some ways

Until the very end

And in coping
I try to understand
Why it happened

So fast, and am
Reminded it’s
Not mine to pretend

To know
The answers
My friend

I called you
My dad,
And, did until
The end

With that last
Kiss upon you
Forehead,
I rendered the loss

Of my father, and
Dearest friend

#poetry, #dad, #emotions, #greif, #heart, #joy, #life, #loss, #love, #misery, #pain, #poem, #poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 7:19 pm on December 28, 2020
Tags: , , companion, dog, , , , , wdys#62   

Companion

Image credit; Rhaúl V. Alva @ Unsplash

There you are,
All decked out,
Ready as always

For the festivities

Set out,
And all about
Us

As we travel, you,
And I,

Toward another year,
But, first,

Christmas is here,
And we’ll celebrate
Together,
No matter the weather,

Because
You’re always there,
My friend,
On which I can rely

Even when
I’m not feeling
All that well,

And I sigh

In frustration, you
Come, and check
On me,

Nuzzling your head
Against my hand,
Waiting

For the mood

To change from
Bad to good,

And what
do you know?

The mood shifts,
Because you are swift
In your ways,
Knowing just what’s

Needed
To change the tide

It’s always the same
With you and I,

Let’s just say it’s so,

You’re my companion
My hero, best friend
And champion

In response to the WDYS #62 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.

#poetry, #animals, #companion, #dog, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #wdys62

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 11:57 am on December 28, 2020
Tags: , carefree, , foreveryoung, , , play, , ,   

Play

Photo by Chester Ho on Unsplash

Times
At play, gone by
Without a whisper

Of an oft remembered
Whimper,

As we long
For the days
Of play
When we were

Carefree and
At once

Unafraid

Of all
That surrounded
Us

In touch with
Our true selves
Without
The baggage

That comes with age

Yet,
We can remove
What’s in our parcel
And let go

Of those unneeded

Scruples, and mis
Understandings
Made along the way, and

Create a day
Where we are light,
With delight,
And

Able to revel
In the play
Of life
With

Fancy,

Just like when
We were little

Running,
And jumping,
Not a care in the world

For we didn’t know
About cares

Why would
We dare?

When you are young
You are focused
On creating
Beauty

With every finger
Touched

By Presence

And, guess what?

You can play
That way
Today

Even with
The age, which

Is upon
Our collective face

For inside,
You are still
Young, my friend

So take the day
And play
Away

#poetry, #carefree, #childhood, #foreveryoung, #life, #love, #play, #poem, #poems, #presence

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 6:52 pm on December 27, 2020
Tags: , , , , , , holidays, , , newyear, , , , , , ,   

A Blogger’s Diary 12/27/20: On Writing, Goal-Setting, Systems, and the Holidays

Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

Well, this past week, I had an insight about writing. An insight that was derived from some of the blogs I follow. Yes, some of you, so thank you. The insight? Sure.

Namely, to write and schedule posts in advance. I’ve not done something like this on a regular basis, yet I can definitely see the utility, especially when during normal work times, of which this particular time period is not. So?

Well, I’ll get to that in a moment. First, let’s take a look at this week’s writing. Here we go.

Writing

  1. The Framed Window
  2. Focus
  3. Joy
  4. The Sunshine Blogger Award
  5. Swing
  6. Christmas Day
  7. Friends
  8. Flow

Yep, lots of poetry. Fun. And, this week? Sure.

As I was writing about above, I already have two posts scheduled for next weekend. An article on leadership, and one on vulnerability. It’s nice to have those written and scheduled, which will allow me to get back to work on the leadership series, the reflection series, and the social construction series next week. Excited.

Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash

Goal-Setting

I’m present to goal-setting today, as I’ve created a new vision for some of my upcoming engagement on LinkedIn, and have set new goals within that vision. Of course, I’ve also created priorities that are connected to both the long-term, and short-term goals.

If goal-setting is something you’d like to learn more about, you can learn more about how I think about goal-setting in this article, Create A Vision For Your Future Self in 5 Minutes.

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Systems

And, when you have goals that live within your vision, whether that is personal or professional, you need a system to put it into. I’ve written a couple articles about creating systems, and will share my LinkedIn system with you here.

Venngage

There we go. That was fun. I do love venngage. Anyway, here we can see the department priorities, and then one way that I will take action next quarter to create more engagement through LinkedIn (LI). You will see there are some blog series listed, which are not actually a reality yet, however, that’s how goal-setting works.

First you create the vision, then the objectives, then the priorities, and then? Well, you get to work. I am excited about the opportunity to discuss the new series with you in the future.

Okay, let’s turn to holidays, shall we? Good. Here we go.

Photo by Andreas Dress on Unsplash

The Holidays

Wow, what a lovely time of year. I do love the holiday, as I’ve written about before. It’s more the time of year, when we are heading into deeper winter, and I can start to see the spring not far off.

Well, it’s still a ways off at this point, however, in the Pac Northwest, the days start to get noticeably longer in January. And, I do love longer days, and the possibility of more sun as we head towards March.

Though, we had a gorgeously sunny day today. Beautiful.

Though I didn’t travel this holiday, we did Zoom calls, like lots of people, and that was nice. I also spent time with my oldest son, playing frisbee golf in the rain and cold, yet it was so nice to spend time with him. We made a sweet potato and butternut squash chili, and had dark chocolate cranberry bread for dessert.

Yes, of course I made the bread from scratch! I love to cook and bake, which I don’t know that I’ve written about before. Anyway, the bread was delicious.

Alright, that’s all for this entry.

As we approach the New Year, I want to wish you all the best in the coming week, and in the coming year. I am so excited about this next year. Seriously. I am excited to continue to create and write, and continue to engage with your beautiful creations.

Stay healthy and well, and enjoy your week.

#poetry, #bloggers-diary, #blogging, #business, #diary, #goal-setting, #holidays, #leadership, #linkedin, #newyear, #objectives, #poem, #priorities, #systems, #videos, #vision, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 9:36 am on December 27, 2020
Tags: , , , , , ,   

Flow

Photo by Mark Basarab on Unsplash

Comes and goes
A memory of a moment
When time stood still, and
Each step looked the same

As the one before,

Moving from the inside,
Guided by a light that burns
Bright
And never shies away

From the turmoil of this life

For, it’s inside the turmoil
Of life that coexists
A beauty
Beyond comprehension

In fact, language becomes
Hard to manage, yet it’s not
The description that matters

It’s the experience of life,
Each step, one and then the next,
Which catches our fancy,
Staying focused then

Is imperative, as is the connection
Within, which guides the way
As we continue to play
Each scene out

To the end, remembering
All the while, they
Are all connected, just as
We are protected

Even when fear arises

We must continue to
Play our tune, and have faith
In that impulsion, which we
All know, and

May call
Life’s flow

#poetry, #experience, #flow, #life, #love, #poem, #poems

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 12:51 pm on December 26, 2020
Tags: , , , , , ,   

Friends

Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash

I saw you
That first time
From across
The playground,

Though there were
So many people around,

You
Sure did stand out

They called me shy
Back then,
So as our eyes met,
I turned on my heel

In fret

Of the unknown, which
You conjured
In, my, then
Burgeoning

Imagination

And, the anticipation
Of our first real
Meeting, which
Filled me

With so many
Strange
And never
Felt before feelings

Of mystery

Inside my own
Young history

And, when you did
Approach?

I started for the door,
And you captured
My hand, and
Said, don’t

Be afraid, your
Safe with me
In the shade, of

Our first encounter
And, oh, what a joy
I did feel,
As my heart sped,

And then so did
My head

With thoughts of fancy,
And love
At first sight,
You were such a delight-

-ful being, grace and
Composure, a rock on
My shoulder, countenance
And magic

All rolled into one

For I did shelter in your
Embrace,
For many a year,
Through storms and triumphs,

All given with such grace
And composure
Even through
The most

Difficult

Exposure
To pain,

You were always
At my side, rain or
Shine,

I never did fear
You would slide away
Or hide, come what may

Why?

Because you were
The first,
For all the rest
Were measured against,

My true love,
And first real friend

#poetry, #friends, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 8:00 am on December 25, 2020
Tags: , , , , , , ,   

Christmas Day

Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

Like no other
The preparation
Made good, the day
Is finally here,

My dear,

Weeks of anticipation,
Bringing us to this,
The final moment, and

Oh, what frustration
And melancholy
Did I once feel

For most of the duration
Of this last round of
Preparation

No matter, the weeks
Of turmoil, counting each
Paper link in the chain,
Red, and green,

Yes, they did alternate

Each
With the unwritten name,
Of a day
In the month

Unlike yours, of course
Which is, and
Forever will be
The most hallowed of all

The twenty-fifth

And though we may not
Have always had a lot
There was always
Something hidden

Under the tree,
At that one spot, which
Became a memory
Of a mostly unspoken

Love, shared between
Four people, yes,
With their own turmoil
In the air, yet

The love did see
Through the trying
Times, and even, in a way
Brought us closer

At once beyond repair
And wholy complete in
This life-long love affair

A paradox?

I think not, more like
A life lived at both extremes
As we continue to dream
About all of our cares

And desires for a
Brighter world,
Beyond the pain,
And suffering

We can all bear

And on this 25th?

At once,
Please take care
And remember,
You are loved

By many, my dear

Merry Christmas, everyone.

#poetry, #anticipation, #christmas, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #writing

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 1:00 pm on December 24, 2020
Tags: , , freindship, , , , , swing, swinging   

Swing

Photo by Lital Levy on Unsplash

Swing
Back and forth,
And back again
Just like an old friend

Though I don’t partake
Today, my memories are
Filled with blissful days
Made in your tender embrace

When times were tough,
Or a wonder,
There was always
A reason to seek your shelter

Carefree, swinging
In the wind
Worries and fears
Absolutely disappear

Without a trace of
Their presence,
Only ever the wind
Guiding me back

Up again, higher and
Higher, a beauty is calling
Me back in repose, yet
I catch more speed

And, off to the other side
I do go

Racing up towards
The heavens, it’s as if
The sky was pulled down
Just for me, as I sit on your

Lap and feel such glee

Now back towards the
Middle, where it started
When we were kiddos,
And, just then, we get a push

From a friend
That’s not done watching,

And, ditto, for my friend, as
Their now joining in, and

Now we swing together,
Just the three of us, racing
Back and forth, again

And, again, there’s no time
So, let’s begin again

Time has no pulse
In this endeavor,
For it’s all about impulse

As we live our life
With not a care in the world
Only the three of us now,
You, I, and the swing

We now share

#poetry, #childhood, #freindship, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #swing, #swinging

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 8:00 am on December 24, 2020
Tags: cartoons, , , films, languages, leisuretime, , , stress-busters, , thedivine   

The Sunshine Blogger Award

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img-3640.jpg
Corvallis, Oregon Summer 2020

Well, I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a recent nomination for the Sunshine Blogger Award, and, well, I’m quite honored. I would like to thank Krishna, of LIGHT+LOVE 🙂, for the lovely nomination. If you’ve not done so, please visit Krishna’s sight. It is truly of light and love. Thank you again, dear, Krishna.

Alright, so how about some questions. Ready? Good. Here we go.

Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

1. What are your thoughts about Christmas?

As many of you know, I grew up in Los Angeles, and am from a family that did celebrate Christmas every year. It was quite a magical time, the fall season as it moved into Autumn, and then into winter. Which, of course, is always mild in LA. As a matter of fact, last year on Christmas day it was supposed to be over 90 degrees. Very warm indeed for December.

Not so in the Pacific Northwestern part of the United States where I currently live. Nope. Rainy, cold, and, yep, sometimes snow. Like when I was a child, I still do love the holiday season, of which Christmas is one.

2. What are your stress busters?

I have three.

  • Meditation
  • Walking
  • Cardio

As I’ve written about before, meditation is, well, has been for me, transformational in my life. I started three years ago, which at that time was simply called breathing, because I could not sit still long enough to meditate proper. And, you know, like everything, it’s about the practice. Setting your intention to do something, and sticking with it. 5 minutes became 10, and so on to today.

I don’t walk as much in the winter as it is so cold and rainy, yet do try and get out as often as possible. Cardio as often as needed. Simply meaning maybe once or twice a week.

Photo by Mink Mingle on Unsplash

3. How is your relationship with God?

It is excellent. The Divine shows up everywhere today. As I wrote about in one of my recent poems, it is really about connection.

4. How many languages do you understand, and which are they?

English, and I can understand and speak some Spanish. Alas, I have much work to do in this area, and am actually continuing my study of Spanish now.

Photo by Rampal Singh on Unsplash

5. Name your 3 favorite films.

Hm. This one is harder. Alright, I’m going to name three films I enjoy, though I cannot really say if they are my favorites, per say.

  1. On the Basis of Sex
  2. Toy Story
  3. Dangal

6. How have you spent your leisure time?

Most of my leisure time is spent writing. I also work a lot, so with work and writing, there is not a lot of time leftover. However when time is created, I do enjoy walking, playing golf, seeing my two boys, talking with my friends and family, reading, of course, and watching television a little each day.

Photo by Ravi Pinisetti on Unsplash

7. Do you enjoy solitude or do you always need someone to be with you?

I once always needed someone to be with me. Went hand-in-hand with not being able to sit still for more than a few minutes. Not so today. Though on the bell curve, I would place myself on the downslope towards extroversion, I love my introverted self, and have a large inner-life.

8. What do you hold most important in life?

My connection with the Divine and with my community, colleagues, coworkers, family, and friends. Yes, including all of you!

Photo by Chandan Chaurasia on Unsplash

9. What will you do when you feel sad or clueless in life?

I spent a lot of years, most of my adulthood, really, running from my feelings. Not so today. When I am sad, I let the sadness come. If I’m not in a location where that is appropriate, I take the time needed to be with that sadness, or hold it only until I am in a space where I can cry as needed. Feels so much better to cry as needed, than to hold all of that sadness inside.

When I am clueless? Hm. I don’t ever really feel clueless. I am often unsure. I think feeling unsure is very normal. When we are comfortable being unsure, which can be uncomfortable, we are more open to all that life can bring our way. I work on a highly innovative team, and in highly creative spaces, there is a lot of unknown. I find the unknown, yes, at times, uncomfortable, and also quite exquisite

10. Do you believe in miracles? Briefly explain one please.

Oh, yes, for sure. I believe everything I see and feel is a miracle. The world is quite wondrous, beautiful, and amazing. I love all of it. It is a miracle to me as I sit here typing responses to these lovely questions, listening to some wonderful classical music, and the sun, just a moment ago, was shining right on my keyboard and monitor as I continue to write about the Sunshine Blogger Award. Pretty miraculous.

Photo by Rampal Singh on Unsplash

11. Do you love cartoons? Which is your favorite?

I once loved cartoons. I don’t know that I love them today. Not sure I’ve given it much thought. What I can say is that I’m old enough to remember very old cartoons, like the Flintstones and the Jetsons, and when Pixar started making the most amazing 3D cartoons ever. Was astonishing to me at the time. I still find the technology involved in cartoon-making extraordinary.

Alright, there we go. 11 questions, 11 answers. That was fun. Thanks again, Krishna for the lovely nomination.

Now for my nominations. Instead of 11 more, well, I’m going to nominate all of you. Why? Because I truly find you all inspiring. Seriously. As I’ve mentioned many times, I have as much fun reading your blog’s as I do writing mine.

And now? How about a sunshine poem to end this post? Okay, good. Here we go.

Sunshine

Does envelop me
In a cloud of heavenly
Delight, growing up in your
Embrace

Was, and still is,
One of my favorite sights

Dawn breaking with
Such anticipation, of
Your reception to my
Hallowed participation

In your majestic creation,

And, each day
You come again,
Showing me the resilience
Of your aurora

Which casts life-giving
Sustenance
To all of the fauna,
And flora

I greet thee with my thanks,
And welcome you back
Again and again, friend,

For you’re the sun,
Shining bright, and are
Absolutely one of the best
Parts of my life

Have a very sunshiny holiday, everyone.

#cartoons, #christmas, #emotionalintelligence, #films, #languages, #leisuretime, #relationships, #solitude, #stress-busters, #sunshinebloggeraward, #thedivine

Unknown's avatar Jeff Flesch 4:26 pm on December 23, 2020
Tags: , , , , , ,   

Joy

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

I think of you
And smile,
Even if it’s been a while

You’re always awaiting
My return, when lost
And even when I feel
A bit cursed

I don’t have memory
Of your not being there,
Even in the times of my
Greatest despair

A rock, solid and caring
Never taking, only ever
Holding my hand without
Any fanfare

Trust that is deep
As the ocean, and clear
As the sky, on a very bright
And oh so sunny daytime

Love so immense,
I’d never second-guess
What’s coming, especially
When I can feel your forthcoming

Return, as if you ever left

No, that’s my confusion
At best, and,

It’s okay
To sometimes be confused
And unsure,
It happens at times, my friend

In those times, remember
This truth, if I may be so bold,
And convey this last sentiment

Joy is always there,
A part of you and I
On it we can rely

Simply look within,
And remember the feeling
Of joy when often repeating

And bring forth that joy
Thereof, which is always
Within you, my love

#poetry, #joy, #life, #love, #poem, #poems, #writing