Waxing my Back, A $7300 Gift to Humanity, Using my Pen, Mirroring the Actions of a Dirty Hippy

"I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
— Mahatma Gandhi

Good morning from a courtyard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and let me be the first to say "Happy New Year!" I trust you had a great night; we did, met some new folks, had some great food, got home at a reasonable time, and here I sit in this new time, a new year, and let me tell you I am ready!

We had a great day yesterday; we did one hour on the beach, headed back to our Air B and B, and headed to Los Olas for lunch. My wife talked to Cousin, who shared that since he didn't have a boyfriend or husband, he had to seek out someone to take care of his back hair. Unfortunately, this conversation did not include me, but we made an appointment to get our toes "did."

We had a nice lunch and then went and got the toes pretty for the new year. My wife went with beautiful pink, and I did white with American flags on my big toes. As we got ready to pay, the owner said, "you are getting your back waxed?" I said, "what?" and my wife had a shit-eating grin. I was led to the back room, where a young lady asked that I remove my shirt. I did and then laid on a table where she began applying hot pink wax to my back.

I should share that I'm a groomer; I groom regularly, but I can't see my back, so my back is not conforming to the rest of my body. So, unbeknownst to me, I have a hairy back. My arms are also hairy, I never really paid much attention to my arms, occasionally cutting them back, but it had been a hot minute since manscaping my arms. In short order, the hair was removed from my back using the hot wax and some strips of large tape. My wife watched and asked that she do my arms as I typed these words; I have nary a hair on my back or arms.

We left there and walked to Cousins. We met him and his friend David for a drink by the pool. We hung out and got some sun before returning home and getting some alone time. I decided to shave my beard since it made sense to cleanse my face since I was so clean-shaven. We then dressed and met Cousin, David, and two new friends, Skip and Eric, for dinner.

A young man was sitting in a chair with an empty chair to his left and right. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he could move one down and allow my wife and me to sit together. He looked at me and said, "only because you are so aggressive, and I like your shirt will I move." I laughed, he laughed, and when ordering a drink, I bought him as well. His name was Nick; I would guess his age at 35, maybe 40, but a very well-spoken young man.

The word diversity was mentioned, and I shared I was doing a Ted Talk on the topic. He said, "So you just flippantly mention you are doing a Ted Talk?" I then shared my key points, and he challenged me to do better, be more succinct with my message, refine it to three key points. I can't remember a conversation that had as much impact as my time with Nick. Before we left, I asked for his number; he said I want to keep in touch; I want to watch your talk; I'll send him the link with my discount code. There is beauty in meeting new people, which I will strive to do more of in 2022.

Another commitment I have made is I'm going to give away $7300.00 in 2022. I will do so by giving $20.00 to those in need. Then, if I can't find someone in need, I will carry over the $20.00 until I see someone, and they will get the total. I had shared earlier this week that I have a penchant for giving, and a friend sent me a note and said he loves to give but sometimes is concerned with the way people spend the money.

I wrote back, "yesterday I was asked for a cigarette from a lady, and since I don't smoke, I couldn't help her, so instead, I handed her a $20.00 and asked that she buy whatever would bring her joy." The look in her eye was priceless. As we walked to Cousins yesterday, we passed a man with a sign; Please Help; I stopped introducing myself, which caught him by surprise; I then handed him a $20.00 and again got a shot of joy from his reaction to our kindness. Giving to others is a gift.

I want 2022 to be the year of humility. I want to judge less, give more, help those I can help with my words, actions, and treasure. I have been blessed by something bigger than myself, and I believe that anyone can achieve the life they want with the right mindset. I'm on a mission to help those in need, and I ask that you join me in this endeavor. I have been very fortunate to meet other like-minded folks in my various communities, and collectively we will change the world. Perhaps you might join us in making the world a better place? 

Well, there you have it, the first-word soup of 2022; join my substack if you are new; I pen these thoughts daily and try to be a light in a world that seems to lean dark. I promise you that I will write 95% of all days, thus penning 346,750 words of my mind, ideas, and encouragement. Maybe you too have a gift of the pen, or perhaps you can speak, or maybe you can be silent and help those without seeking attention. I don't seek attention but share my heart to encourage others to be like that dirty hippy that walked the earth 2022 years ago.

"I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
— Mahatma Gandhi