Do You Live, or Do You Exist?

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
— Oscar Wilde

Good morning from our valley home.  I’m in my purple writing chair; my guitar is to my right, the fireplace is to my left, my Queen is making coffee, and we woke up last night wondering where in the hell we were.  My clock shows 6:18 a.m., which is mountain time, but I’m in eastern; it takes me a couple of days to ease back into each time zone.

It’s my best friend’s birthday, happy birthday GG; I’ll call you later.  We got home after our 6-hour final leg of our coming home tour.  We listened to Green Lights; I think it should be required reading for people 50 and over.  It’s a good tale of how a man became a success but never forgot his roots.  I think a successful run for Governor of Texas is next, then a run for President is in his future.  Keep your eye on Matthew.

Our drive yesterday was fun; we now enjoy our three-day trek from home to home.  It allows for some decompression, some time to think, and PVHT might be the best travel dog ever.  Not a peep, and when we stop at rest stops to stretch her legs, she just smells and looks at us as if to say, “where the hell are we?”

We got home about 5:00, our neighborhood Mexican restaurant had a band, we walked over, and as we entered a packed restaurant, the young lady asked how many?  I said two, and we were immediately seated.  My mother calls that God’s favor.  When you get that unexpected parking spot or something just goes your way.  I did notice a young lady giving me the stink eye a little later; it seems they were on a list, waiting, we overrode that system.

The place was packed; the older people no longer wear masks, the younger people all seem to be playing it safe.  It was very similar to what you might have seen in May of 2019; it appears as if Indy is back to 100% occupancy.  They had a large tent outside that was also full.  The margarita bar was busy; the band was fast and loud.

I’ve got a few appointments today; I’ll be in the car driving to and from, tomorrow my baby girl gets her master’s degree, and we will celebrate another kid off the payroll.  She’s been off since July of last year, but this is the official event.  This weekend we will hang out with the family and celebrate Mother’s Day.  Don’t forget to send your mother something cool.  My mother asked for a few Sativa joints from CO, kidding. She did not, and we are not mules.

My sister sent me a note; oddly, she is reading the book we just finished yesterday.  I mentioned it yesterday, but again, I strongly recommend the book “The Midnight Library.”  It’s a tale of suicide, life exploration, and closure.   It’s a reminder that you can choose any life you want, and regrets aren’t always what they seem.

In this life, I’m a man with a Queen and a dog known as Parker Van Halen; in another life, I’m living in a mobile home in Parker City, working at a factory in Muncie, divorced with two kids in jail.  In another life, I’m living in Florida with a young woman named Jasmine, a pilates instructor, and I run a small church based on the teachings of Hunter S. Thompson. Never forget, anything is possible, and life is a series of choices.  One little decision can change your life.  

I must say it was weird arriving back in Indy.  The home we built in 2014 now seems like a shell, a place to come and visit, but it’s not home.  Our home is on top of a mountain; we are merely visitors here.  It will be interesting to see how the Corporate Air B and B experiment goes; maybe we will find ourselves renting if our home is leased. It’s interesting how life changes, how six years ago, I had an idea of where my life was going but could have never predicted the life I live today.

I think about all the new people we have met, many in Indiana but also Colorado.  How our friends have evolved and how we have lost touch with some of our good friends.  I think people come in and out of your life for a reason.  I can think of men that were excellent friends that I no longer have an interest in speaking, and I’m sure they feel the same; our friendship boat has floated away, and I’m a better man having known them.

It’s interesting to me how fast one can become good friends with strangers.  We went to the hot springs about 45 days ago and met five new people.  Those five people are now terrific friends; we dine with them, we see them at our regular spots; I think my Queen and I have good energy, it allows for the connection with many other new humans.

I can now share that two of my good friends have joined forces and will change the world.  Greg Greenwood, the Godfather of Denver, and Leslie Jones have teamed up to take Leslie’s program The Spiral Method word wide.  As a group member using this method, I can say that it has been a critical part of my personal growth and recommend considering joining a group.  What is The Spiral Method?  Learn more here:

https://www.spiralmethod.com/

Well, my first day back in Indiana, and I must say I’m happy and content.  I’m with my Queen; that’s all that matters.  I was invited to a men’s weekend recently; I asked if I could bring my Queen, the invitation offerer shared it was more of a men’s weekend, and although there was golf, fireworks, fire engines, and shooting of missiles, I opted to pass.  I do not like being away from my Queen, now my wife.  I genuinely enjoy her company, love, and friendship.  I hope you feel the same about your significant other; if not, get some couples therapy and if that does not work, chuck them and get a new one.  Life is too short to live in misery; there is a Queen or King for everyone.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
— Oscar Wilde