Originally published 111023

Are we defined, to some extent, by what we do?
— 001 Transitions

Defined by whom? I ask (at this point in our story).

I can’t answer for anyone else, but I’d say it’s how (and why) you do what you do that matters most.

Turning cheek to other cheek, exchanges upper hand
With one-two combinations, romantic’s dream is fanned
Syncopate the metronome, tick talking hypno-box
Rowing gently up that stream, good timing keys the locks
Easy as the count to three, that once upon a time
Cast the way our little boats, serve life for petty crime

We (individuals) have a choice.

You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes
You just might find
You get what you need
— Keith and Mick

Mom’s home!

After hugs, kisses, and family time, Susan said, “I want to be a teacher.”

It was hard to fly away so often.

Her mom had been a high school teacher, but Susan thought younger kids would be a better fit.

Thus began our quest to make it so.

Weeks passed, and we couldn’t even get close to finding a way to make it work financially.

“I’ll be a teacher, too.”

The words surprised us both.

“I’ll go first,” I said, thinking out loud. “You can get your credential the following year.”

“You don’t want to be a teacher.”

I didn’t deny it. “How hard can it be?”

Everybody gets a shot, ’cause all the world is staged
Wouldn’t want to waste my turn, blind spot I’d not engage
What if I’ve a single round, the ref might count to ten
Cost of shooting cryptic bull, in eyes would haunt me when
Think of what you could have been, reflections charge displeased
Nothing ventured, nothing lost, except good memories

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Context: It feels good to drop a post after twenty-four days of continuous revisions. (Quite the learning experience.) Vastly improved, but still a work in progress.

Note: If the last stanza seemed familiar, it also appears in 000’s featured image (which was added after I published this quest).

Featured Image: I think we’re all (occasional) exceptions to Emerson’s claim.

It’s up to you
It’s up to me
Each as free as we believe
As alive as we perceive
Every now and then and when we choose to live
We do
— 021286 Journal Entry

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