I thought I was so smart yesterday.  I was wrong.

As I headed off to Bruges, I put my phone charger and cable in my backpack, to make sure I could re-charge late in the day if needed and therefore have enough juice to access the train app when it was time to return to Gent.

And then it rained most of the day.  I was missing one tiny detail: “Put the cable in a plastic bag.”

Back at home last night, I tried charging my phone.  No go.  The cable felt moist.

This morning I tried again, thinking that an overnight drying out would do the job.  It didn’t.

Lying in bed, I thought of “Bruce’s Blog” – what you’re reading.  As of yesterday I had written a post for 156 days in a row.

The thought called “I can’t think of anything to write about” never came up during those months.  It might take a few minutes but something would emerge in my mind.

And the thought called “I don’t want to write” didn’t make an appearance either.

So I laughed horizontally a few hours ago.  “The universe (also called ‘technology’) may stop my streak.”

At 10:00 this morning my internet company Proximus came to the rescue.  The rep facing me across the desk said “It’s the cable.  It’s still damp.  And even when it dries out, it likely won’t work very well.”

Et voilà: a new cable, 25 euros.

***

And so …

My silly mistake

Proximus’ fast solution

157!

Many years ago, when I was living in London, Canada, I put together a booklet called “Spots” … maybe fifty locations in and around London that were lovely to behold.

They were places where tourists didn’t go.  Except for one spot: a gigantic Canadian flag blowing above the six lanes of Canada’s busiest highway – the 401.

On the train this morning from Gent to Bruges, I decided to write about a few spots I’d discover today in the medieval city …

Spot Number One

This is the Lovers’ Bridge in Minnewater Park.  It was built in 1739.  Folklore says that any couple crossing the bridge together will have eternal love.  So the two folks in red and purple are set for life!

The bridge wasn’t my spot.  The bench on which I sat was.  A bit secluded.  Looking up at the human beings.  Perfect.

Spot Number Two

The Sint-Elisabethkerk was built in the 13th century and reconstructed in the 15th after a fire.  It sits within the grounds of the Ten Wijngaerde Beguinage, where nuns still live and pray.

I got to sit in the quiet, and to reflect on the words “Laus Deo” (Praise God).

***

For awhile here in Bruges, the rain was on and off.  Now the rain is simply on.

In the spirit of optimism, here’s my next headline:

Spot Number Three

Undiscovered as of yet.  And perhaps it will remain so for the rest of the day.  Either the train home will beckon me soon or another wonder will reveal itself. 

…

Okay, it’s 17:10 (5:10 pm for the North Americans).  The Weather Network tells me to expect two millimetres of rain between 18:00 and 19:00.  I’m going home.

Sure, it’s possible that on the way to the train station, I may peek out from under my umbrella to find Wonder Number Three before my eyes … but I wouldn’t count on it.

Till tomorrow then!

Equality is the core belief that every human being has identical and absolute worth, dignity and spiritual essence before the divine, regardless of social, physical or external differences

…

Alignment is the state of harmony where an individual’s internal thoughts, values and actions perfectly match their deeper soul purpose, higher consciousness or divine will

and

Alignment is a deep shared sense of values, purpose and meaning that makes you feel connected without needing to force the relationship

***

The two words roam around in my head.  Their meaning together is greater than the sum of their parts.  They both have immense value.

Equality seems to be in the realm of performance: “Better than, worse than, equal” … but I wonder.  The definition I quoted comes closer to how I see it.  Spirit is at the core of each of us. It’s a fire.  It’s a stream.  It’s forever.

“Alignment” … how lovely.  Both within me and between us.  What you see is what you get.  And we interlace our fingers.

***

There are many fine words in the world

Here are two

Ajahn Chah was a Thai Buddhist monk who lived from 1918 till 1992.  So I’m older than him when he died.  Do I make as much difference in the world as he did?  No.

But so what?  I figure that when I die at 104, I’ll smile at the net positive effect I’ve had on people.  That’s good enough – more enhancing than diminishing.

Ajahn Chah said many marvelous things, some of which have guided me through the years.  Here are my favourites:

If you let go a little, you will have a little peace.  If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace.  If you let go completely, you will have complete peace.

Looking for peace is like looking for a turtle with a mustache: You won’t be able to find it.  But when your heart is ready, peace will come looking for you.

The heart is the only book worth reading.

Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.

We only rent this house.  Why not find out who really owns it?

Just try to keep your mind in the present.  Whatever arises in the mind, just watch it and let go of it.  Don’t even wish to be rid of thoughts.  Then the mind will return to its natural state. 

When you walk, there is no need to do anything special.  Simply walk and see what is there. 

(In response to a student’s problem)  It’s uncertain, isn’t it?

It’s very simple.  Hold on to nothing.

***

It’s beyond the words.  And yet all you see here is what Ajahn said.  Perhaps we can also feel the vibration in his voice, which holds the true transmission.

Ajahn Chah died 34 years ago

And he lives today

He was an American singer with a big body and a big voice.  He was an explosion onstage.  You couldn’t not look.

And now Meat Loaf is gone, taken by Covid.  There’s a hole in the music world.

I’ve loved his music since the 1980’s, singing along with his Greatest Hits – “Bat Out Of Hell”, “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” and …

For Cryin’ Out Loud

And that’s what I sang last night at the open mic session at Salvatore’s.  I’ve wanted to burst the lyrics out of my mouth for many years but I was too scared.  It’s long (eight minutes), it’s difficult, it’s passionate.  “Not me right now.  Maybe someday.”

Someday showed up last night.  So did I, standing before an audience of thirty souls.

I had struggled with the learning.  My level of memorization didn’t feel strong enough to deal with sixty eyes looking at me.

Just do it, Bruce

So I did … with the passion, with a loud and soft voice taking turns, just me and my open mouth. 

I smile in the remembering.  I sang the song well.  I forgot a few words … no problemo.  And I reached many of the thirty.  That’s what I wanted.

The ending is tender.  It was a privilege to sing these words:

For takin’ in the rain when I’m feeling so dry
For givin’ me the answers when I’m asking you why
My, oh my, for that I thank you

For takin’ in the sun when I’m feeling so cold
For givin’ me a child when my body is old
And don’t you know, for that I need you

For comin’ to my room when you know I’m alone
For findin’ me a highway, for driving me home
And you gotta know, for that I serve you

For pullin’ me away when I’m starting to fall
For revvin’ me up when I’m starting to stall
And all in all, for that I want you

For takin’ and for givin’ and for playin’ the game
For prayin’ for my future in the days that remain
Oh Lord, for that I hold you

Oh but most of all
For cryin’ out loud, for that I love you
Oh but most of all
For cryin’ out loud, for that I love you
Yes but most of all
For cryin’ out loud, for that I love you

When you’re cryin’ out loud
You know … I love you

***

Thank you, Meat

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8KyHDNQkBSA&si=bTR_x9WJxcjgcRQG

Photo by – Kenny

I’m quite the mathematician.

If my words and actions in one day make one person 10% percent happier …

If that one person makes one other person 10% happier each month …

And if that other person makes someone else 10% happier each month …

How many people are impacted in a year?

Bruce = 365

First person = 12 (x 365 people) = 4380

Next person = 12 (x 4380 people) = 52,560

Total = 57,305

***

More than 57,000 larger smiles

I can start this

So can you

It’s an every day type of thing … urination.  And if all goes well: defecation.  We rarely, if ever, see anyone else doing it but we know the routine intimately.

It’s the type of activity that’s not mentioned in polite society.  And it certainly shouldn’t appear in “Bruce’s Blog”.  But today you might say that I was moved to comment on the subject.

We humans know all about diarrhea and constipation.  As we get older, we may become familiar with the flow of urine refusing to start, even though the bladder pressure is there.

I hope we all have empathy for the person suffering the pain of constipation.  We’ll all been there.  We remember.

To complete today’s meandering on the subject, I think of Virginia Satir.  She was an a psychotherapist and author.  I sat in her seminar in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada and heard her say this:

If you’re afraid of someone, or thinking of yourself as less than them …

Imagine them sitting on the toilet

Just an ordinary human being

…

Well said, Virginia

(Smiling)

I met a lesbian couple yesterday.  They were about 25 … and in love.

When they entered the room, delight followed them in.  They touched.  When one of them spoke to the group, her gaze included the beloved.  The love silently shouted to us all.

I’m learning to be brave, to ask questions intended to enhance life.

Do you hold hands when you walk down the street?

Yes!

I figured so.  I know that some quarters of society would be outraged about such a show of affection between two women.  Too bad for their narrow heads.  Love needs to be celebrated.  Like last night.

May you be happy together for the rest of your lives, dear ones

Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter.  Her career has spanned sixty years.  She has brought joy to so many of us.

Joni is one of those people who I’d love to have coffee with.  I expect it will never happen … and that’s fine.

I want to sing her song “Both Sides Now”.  It is an anthem of the heart.  Here are the words.  I’ve highlighted the ones which shine for me.

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feathered canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would’ve done
But clouds got in my way

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s clouds’ illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way

But now it’s just another show
You leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away

I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know love
Really don’t know love … at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say “I love you” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day

I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life … at all

***

From Joni’s mouth to mine.  Soaring … smiling … weeping

And nodding to it all

I love trains.  This trip is only 50 minutes – from Gent to Ronse.  But I’ll have fun, seeing the land zoom by, and maybe having a seatmate to talk to.

I love a journey.

The act of travelling from one place to another, or a long-term process of personal growth and change

Both will do nicely.  Perhaps this evening, personal growth and change will also show up in the short-term.

…

A young man just sat across from me.  I said “Hello.”  He nodded and went back to his phone.  Oh well.  Maybe I’ll draw him out … and maybe I’ll leave him alone.

…

I just asked the young man:

Have you ever tried taking photos from a moving train?  (Discussion starter)

No  (Discussion stopper)  Oh well again

…

Lots of corn.  Lots of sky

…

Good news!  I can’t remember what I said, but the young fellow and I just had a cool talk.  Tomorrow he starts year one of the Architecture program at a college in Oudenaarde, where he lives.  It will take seven years for him to become a full-fledged architect.  He said the money will be good … “if people like my work”.  Go for it.

You might say it was a constructive conversation

(But you don’t have to)

…

I’m losing light here.  Does this mean all you’ll see is a field of blurry corn?  I hope there’s more.

…

You’ll be happy to know that one time during World War II, Hitler’s train hid in a tunnel between Oudenaarde and Ronse.  I took a photo:

I thought I was being so smart.  The photo would be black.  Instead it showed a reflection of folks in the train.

…

Sunset in Ronse

…

And a fine trip it was