Happy Birthday, Pops, Things I Love, No Apologies, The Two Symptoms of Enlightenment

“According to Vedanta, there are only two symptoms of enlightenment, just two indications that a transformation is taking place within you toward a higher consciousness. The first symptom is that you stop worrying. Things don’t bother you anymore. You become light-hearted and full of joy. The second symptom is that you encounter more and more meaningful coincidences in your life, more and more synchronicities. And this accelerates to the point where you actually experience the miraculous. — Deepak Chopra

Hello, how are you? I’m fine, thank you for asking.  My wife and I have been snuggling; I find it a great way to start my day; gone are the days of jumping out of bed at 5:00; at this point in my life, I’m enjoying my morning bedtime.  She and our pup are still in bed; they snuggle once I get up to make the coffee; soon, they will be bouncing down the stairs, I’ll get some sugar, and our day will be switched to the “on” setting.

I was able to log 9 hours and 42 minutes of sleep. We hit the bed about 9:00; I fell asleep pretty fast and didn’t wake up until 6:00; I drank some water and fell back asleep.  The older I get, the more I value sleep; it’s akin to nutrition and movement. According to my OURA ring, my readiness is at 87, which is optimal.  My resting heart rate is reasonable, as is my heart rate variability, body temperature is perfect, and my respiratory rate is 14.4.  I don’t understand most of these data points between you and me, but they are all in blue, which is good.

After lunch, I headed to our Indianapolis office and did some work with our team. Although I use the conference room, I’ve not had an office for over ten years now; I’m a nomad and have no plans ever to have an “office” again. So, what do you do for those office dwellers in an office?  If you are in sales, I cannot understand a want for an office; there are no potential customers there, be free, go prospect and grow your client base.

My top headline on “Smart News,” aka Dumb News, is “Omicron is spreading every place at once, experts say.  What it could mean for your holiday plans.”  The article starts with some fear porn about medical experts putting the brakes on holiday gatherings.   Omicron is less dangerous and has mild symptoms but according to the “experts.” Lockdown now!

I’m sorry, I’m over it.  I think most people are over “it.”  You can try your fear-mongering, your lockdowns, your mask mandates, but I have a brain, and I’m going to live my life as I see fit.  I will no longer comply with directives that fly in the face of science.  If you are fearful or scared, I’m sorry, you have a higher chance of getting shot on a movie set than dying of the new variant.  Alex Baldwin has killed more people than Omicron.

Eighty-three years ago today, Wayne Luther Thompson was born to Delbert and Cora Thompson.  He arrived with little fanfare; there was no wise man, no gifts of frankincense and murr, no little drummer boy, just a baby, born in Muncie, Indiana to two loving parents. Although Wayne was the baby, he had three older brothers, Jake, and a set of twins.  For the past 83 years, he has positively impacted the world, and I’m the man I am because of his birth.  In fact, had he and my mom not gotten swanky 53 years ago, you would not be reading these words.  Happy Birthday, Pops!

I saw a story about how some think we should not provide medical care to those that choose not to vaccinate.  I guess I’m ok with that, but let’s not offer medical care to those who made other poor choices. For example, if you made poor nutritional decisions, no consideration for you.  If you smoke, no regard for you, no care for you if you decided to drink more than you should.  My body my choice only applies to certain situations.

I’ve got a morning meeting, a leadership call this afternoon, and then we will head north to our daughter and son-in-law’s home to celebrate my father’s birthday. After that, we will wind down the week; I’ve got my men’s group call on Friday morning, and then we will see the Colts play this weekend.  Christmas with my parents this weekend; Tis the season, my friends, enjoy it!

One of the issues in society is people comparing themselves to others.  It’s natural; the old keep up with the Thompson’s is a known phenomenon, but I think it best to compare yourself to you.  Are you a better person today than you were yesterday, last week, or last year?  Instead of trying to compete with others, why not compete against yourself?

I was walking my dog yesterday and realized I love walking the dog.  I do it once in the morning and once in the afternoon; it gives my dog joy to walk and smell, and her curiosity is a reminder to us all to live a curious life.  We walk a mile or two each time; she is always on high alert, birds and squirrels are her top interests, followed by other dogs, then kids; it’s my time to move; it’s a win/win.

The walk got me thinking about other things I love; I love my kids, my wife, my ability to throw down some words each day. I love my family, friends, freedom, and citizenship in the greatest country in the history of the world. I love to read, I love to speak, and I love to give to others.  My new son-in-law sent me a book recommendation yesterday, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.  Deepak Chopra writes it, and I plan on reading it today.

I get a lot of book recommendations; I download most and have them ready to go when I have some spare time. I create spare time daily, and thus I’m able to fill my brain with goodness and kind ideas by thought leaders from all over the world.  I’m blessed, I know it, I will not apologize for my blessings; I thank something bigger than myself for my bounty and use my wealth for humanity’s good. 

I hope these words resonate with you; I hope you are in a good place and can smile every morning you open your eyes.  In less than two weeks, my wife and I will head down and sit on a beach and end this fantastic year loving, touching, and squeezing. I suggest you find someone to love, touch, embrace, and enjoy every moment together. 

“According to Vedanta, there are only two symptoms of enlightenment, just two indications that a transformation is taking place within you toward a higher consciousness. The first symptom is that you stop worrying. Things don’t bother you anymore. You become light-hearted and full of joy. The second symptom is that you encounter more and more meaningful coincidences in your life, more and more synchronicities. And this accelerates to the point where you actually experience the miraculous. — Deepak Chopra