Monday 5 Things

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Tapestries .....

The beauty, the color, and the texture of a tapestry as seen from the front is juxtaposed by the back of a tapestry that looks disjointed, hectic, frayed, frantic and knotted. In a word, chaotic.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. A Man and His Dream …..

Martin Luther King, Jr., was only 39 years old when he was assassinated almost 55 years ago on the balcony outside of room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. King spent less than 13 years campaigning for civil rights and racial equality and was arrested 30 times for his work. This morning’s M5T shares some quotes from the man who had a dream.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. 5 D’s for a New Year …..

If you’ve read M5T over the years, you’ll know that I don’t believe in resolutions. Rather, I start each new year with 5 words that I will try to incorporate and internalize into my life for the year. So, with thanks for the inspiration from King João V, bats, and to you for taking the time to read these words, this morning’s M5T shares my 5 words for 2023.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Novembers .....

Today M5T considers the wisdom that can only be garnered from the passage of time, from all the Novembers and the other months of each year, and a willingness to fully embrace and experience all that life unfolds for us each and every day.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Press On …..

As we start this week leading up to Thanksgiving, I have spent a lot of time being just that. Thankful. Thankful for so many and so much in my life and yet I have this sense of restlessness as the end of the year approaches. A restlessness that, I think, is a healthy state of state. A state of mind of pressing on. Pressing on to affirmative attitudes, constructive changes, elevated expectations, and fearless faith. And so, this morning’s M5T Presses On.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. 5 by 12 for 60 …..

So, it's the dawn of my sixth decade. I spent some time these past few weeks considering the most important things in my life. The people that I love. The work that I do. The ways in which I spend my time. This morning’s M5T, if you will bear with me, shares 60 snippets, personal perspectives on life if you would, all wrapped up in 5 Things.

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"Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Patience .....

And so, my fellow M5Ters, with an attitude of forbearance, this morning we consider the virtue of patience as October draws to a close and we head into November. And why is that damn car in front of me going so slow??? Don’t you know I have places to go, people to see, and things to get done???

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. If You Only.....

I recalled a coffee shop conversation that I had interloped on a few years ago, as one friend asked the other; ‘What would you do if you only had a month to live?’ I remembered a previous M5T missive that I had written. This morning’s M5T asks, “If You Only…..?”.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Of Ayn and John …..

The US government has taken over the economy, instituted heavy regulation and socialism, and the country is moving toward economic and social collapse. Hmmm. Sound familiar? Sixty-five years ago, on October 10th actually, Ayn Rand released her final and seminal book, “Atlas Shrugged”.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Oh Canada …..

I took a trip down memory lane in my car listening to the Canadian band ‘The Northern Pikes’. Fond memories flooded my mind of friends and places from that time in my life north of the 49th parallel. As Canada sits down for thanksgiving dinner today, or perhaps is still full of dinner from last night, this morning’s M5T gives homage to all things Canadian, all whilst wishing I had a sandwich with leftover turkey, mayo, and cranberry in hand.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. 89 & The Power of Now …..

...I realized that as of today, there are 89 days left in 2022. Three quarters of this year are finished. And I asked myself some questions: What will you do with the days left this year? What have you left unfinished? What haven’t you started? What haven’t you stopped? Who haven’t you spoken to? Will you start now? This morning’s M5T looks at the power of doing things now for the remaining 89 days of the year.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Lessons from an Old Man …..

We became friends when I was in high school. He was already an old man, a widower, yet there was something about him that I was drawn to, intrigued by, and respected greatly. As I grew older, he became all the more influential in my life. I was reminded of him again when I saw a dilapidated fishing boat on the Pacific Ocean a few weeks ago.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Inspired …..

“What inspires you?” I felt I gave a somewhat quick, rather trite response to my friend that asked the question. I’ve since reflected on the question, rolling it around in my mind, pondering a better answer, perhaps for no one other than myself. Today’s M5T, postulates a more considered response to a seemingly simple question that, once we understand the complexity of the answer for ourselves, can shape a fulfilled life.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Don’t …..

I was agitated. The morning did not start out as I had expected. And then it happened. The balloon began to rise over the distance mountains. Six shots changed my perspective for the day. Six shots changed my negative thinking to a mindset of thankfulness, gratitude, and peace. And as I thanked God for such a beautiful reminder, this morning’s M5T took shape.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Laboring .....

Whichever country you are reading this in, Labo(u)r Day is meant to be a celebration of the work of so many who make these countries two of the greatest in the world and yes, I still believe that. Today’s M5T pauses to reflect on the importance of labor, no matter how you spell it.

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“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Passions .....

For each Sunday that I’ve been fortunate to attend the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, I pause at the top of Hay's Hill before heading down to the storied 18th fairway...And once again, inspired by a most beautiful part of the world, M5T considers passions in our lives.

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“Monday 5 Things”™….. Luxuries Revisited .....

It’s that time of year again when I take my cameras and glass and head out for South Magazine’s ‘South Goes West’ at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Monterey Car Week. A week of photographing some of the most beautiful automobiles, old and new, in one of the most picturesque parts of the world, is definitely a highlight of the year for me. This year I’ve added Hagerty’s Motorlux to the coverage; luxury can’t even begin to describe this unique event. This morning’s M5T revisits some of life’s greatest luxuries.

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“Monday 5 Things”™….. Round 2 It …..

“I’ll get around to it.” A phrase repeated by a precocious, barely mustachioed teenager who felt he had better things to do than the tasks that his mother wanted done around the house. In class one morning, I opened up a textbook, to find a sticker. A ‘Round 2 It’ sticker. Mom had a rather subtle way of getting messages across to me. It has stuck with me as reminder all my life. Thinking through some decision points recently, I mused where my mom’s “Round 2 It” sticker might apply. This morning’s M5T gets round to getting “Round 2 It’ in life.