Done and Dusted

I just returned from the attorney’s (Enrique Quintero) office where I signed the Living Will. So, that’s all taken care of. Now all I need to do is get some sturdy bins that can hold any of my things that might need to be shipped back to the U.S. Some say I’m silly for bothering with this paperwork, but I am not comfortable with the thought of any family member having to travel here to deal with a dead or dying body. And now having worked with hospice, I know that the legal system here is a nightmare. It feels too irresponsible to leave this undone.

I tried to catch this little guy in mid-pee on my walk to the attorney’s office this morning, but his big sister spun him around. Too cute.

Last night, I watched the documentary Winter on Fire. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it to get a sense of the fierce love of country and passion of the Ukrainian people. This documentary covers the revolution of 2013-14 against their then president, and Putin collaborator, Yanukovych. I vaguely remember hearing about it at the time, but I had no idea of the intensity. It is shocking to me that Putin would even attempt the present invasion.

I copied the following from a wall hanging I saw in Gloria’s house. I love reading it.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. 

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. 

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore, be at peace with God, and whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

 – FOUND IN OLD SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH, BALTIMORE; DATED 1692

Today’s joy. I worked on these while listening to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Life is good.