Craft Water, Women’s Rights, Killing Babies, Group Text Messages, Fear, Embracing Life

"There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life."
— John Lennon

Hello, how are you? Thanks for stopping by; it’s 6:23 a.m., and I am watching the sunrise from my purple bean bag perch.  The fireplace is to my right, as is my coffee, my ample iced water, and a couple of pieces of Nicorette gum. This is the start of a beautiful day.

We worked from home yesterday, took our pup for a walk, and made a run to get our water testing kit; I’ll start that process tomorrow, and in 30 days, I should have the data I need to replicate our water profile.  I have found a source that will do my canning, so I need to begin work on my can design and think about distribution.  It’s funny how a little idea can consume my active mind; I spend a little time learning about my craft water idea.

As I drove to the water testing company, I listened to my friends at NPR. They were doing an important story on abortion rights and how Roe’s overturn might change society.  Many states are drawing a line in the sand about how they want to manage abortion moving forward. Colorado just passed a law called the Reproductive Health Equity Act.

I agree with a woman’s (what is a woman?) right to have an abortion, and I’m also willing to acknowledge that they are killing a baby when someone has an abortion. My wife and I had a conversation about the issue last night and agree there needs to be a time when the baby does gain the right to life. Fifteen weeks seems reasonable, but I am not a biologist.  It’s a dicey topic and having read the CO bill, the framing of the issue is interesting.  If you take a deep dive into the new legislation upholding a woman’s right to body autonomy, give the “Goog” a keyword search of House Bill 22-1279.

At 4:30, we left to meet our friends Dave, Nicole, Steve, and Corina for dinner. We met at the Bistro; the food and service are always top-notch. During our meal, group text messages were discussed, and I think we all have an exciting take on the “group text” phenomenon.

I’m sure you have been a part of a group text. It’s fun to get a group together to organize an event. Recently one of our group text chat’s had a few folks asking to be removed. They use their phone for work and don’t like the constant buzzing of their phone throughout the day.  I empathize with the sentiment and also the want for communication between friends.

As I am typing these words, one of my groups, a group of fourteen men and a one-woman facilitator.  Occasionally we provide book recommendations, and one group gave a tip. Someone took a photo of the book and shared, “I can’t wait to dive in!” it reminded me that I downloaded the book but have yet to start it; that’s the benefit of a group text; they can help keep you on point.  Are you a fan or an enemy of the group text?

Our friends shared their recent experience at the local Casino as we were dining. We have never been, we don’t gamble, but they shared the food is excellent, the music is outstanding, and the spa is five stars. We agreed to meet our friends Saturday night and give it a shot. I’m taking my wife to the spa on Sunday for her birthday, our weekend of doing nothing turning into a weekend at a resort.

I want to share that the sunrise is fantastic. As I write these words, I am reminded by the rising of a giant ball of fire that something bigger than us is always present. Speaking of a present, my wife just got up, and she and PVHT are heading downstairs; I’ll get my morning kiss, and the day will officially start.

I have an 8:00 a.m. call with various thought leaders worldwide. We focus on fear, what that word means and how it shows up in our everyday lives. I don’t fear much, the loss of a loved one is always present, but it forces me to embrace every waking moment I spend with those I love. How does fear show up in your life, and what are some things you do to help quell the concern?

I covered a lot this morning, a rich, hearty soup that may or may not have you thinking. My mind is clear; time to get to work and slay the dragons that show up. I’ve got lunch with a group of friends, I have some errands to run, and I suspect we will hang out here tonight, just us, some music, wine, and great food. I live a blessed life; I have three beautiful children that are all rock stars, I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and I have the best friends in the universe.

"There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life."
— John Lennon