It's America Acting with a Calmness of Mind Thing

Dear America,

"The more tranquil 

a woman becomes, 

the greater is her success,

 her influence, 

her power 

for good. 

 Calmness of mind 

is one of the beautiful 

jewels of wisdom."  

James Allen

hysterical, isn't it.

Now, the mistake, is not so much in the message -- but more the target; for wouldn't this natural ambition to keep essential a tranquility of being, a "calmness of mind," co-exist within the sexes equally?  Without knowing Allen's context of mind -- and jumping to conclusions with fearless abandon -- a closer analysis unwittingly translates -- no, deteriorates -- into more a smear; like a slap across the face against the hysterical, emotional, unhinged crazy town woman.  For surely, no good can come from that.

Having said that, let's put that little outburst aside for the moment, and acknowledge how true!

For Allen's observation of what many of us might call a daily personal triumph is huge.  It defines just how vital is the time set safely aside in order to marinate on decisions, to think before we speak, to pray for the right thing to do, or say; for the purpose of these gaps, these voids, these long periods of seemingly inactivity with the clear and present absence of hysteria consciously leading the charge, leads to gain for not only the woman herself, but for the greater good (men included).  And what's not to like about that?

Now -- in the present -- Steve Coburn, owner of California Chrome, could learn a thing or two from this. Needless to say,   a late apology is better than no apology, give him that.  After a good night's rest and a talkin' to from the little woman, he realized the wrong of his ways; if only he had the presence of mind to shut up after the mile-and-a-half-moment, he never would have made himself such a fool.

But I don't want to talk about him a moment more.

I want to take a moment to talk about a moment in a young woman's life when everything and nothing changes.  My girl is graduating from High School in four days.

The quote, was chosen just for her, by a mentor, a teacher, the queen bee in charge of the school's newspaper --  and currently ranking first place in the nation.  

All graduating seniors got one -- the teacher hand-selecting each one after working in close proximity, after laboring many a late nights while consuming an unimaginable amount of pizza, after witnessing each student one-on-one and in groups, from lowly staff writer to section editors to managing editors - - whether under stress and duress right up to press -- day in and day out.   

The teacher came to know the student.

And she did.

To know my girl is to know the presence of tranquility. 

As crazy as this may sound, even when she loses her cool, she remains easy, breezy, cover girl calm.  

And I have no idea where she gets it from.

No matter. 

Looking into her future, this spirit of repose not only suits her, but it appears to be something that, if faithfully continued, promises to be kind while accompanying her for the rest of her life.   How remarkable the potential for good is that?

But oh, the woe of the empty nest sends me swirling.  

It all happened so fast.

Like a twister hysterically ripping out my heart and scattering it across the fruited plains never to be made whole again, such is how the changing of this season begins.  

But that's life; pass the Maker's Mark and send in Sinatra, must make the best of it, right.

Today, marks the beginning of summer.  It also marks what just might be a time of perceived total inactivity for me being G -- paving the way for days of quiet contemplation and crazy celebration, leaving only enough time for the Intermittent G, at best.

Ideally, to track down my tranquility, to spend time with family and friends, to meditate upon what's next -- these are the things that will occupy my mind in the days ahead.  

Happy summer days to one and to all.

"The more tranquil 

a woman becomes, 

the greater is her success,

 her influence, 

her power 

for good. 

 Calmness of mind 

is one of the beautiful 

jewels of wisdom."  

James Allen

Hmmm

A more tranquil America,

wonder what that feels like?

Make it a Good Day, G