Before I get into the topic that’s swimming in my mind, I thank the woman who was sitting at the next table in Bakkerij Aernoudt this morning.  I’d just been to the pharmacy to pick up a jar of Pantaprazol … and I couldn’t get the lid off.

My ego was well engaged!  I looked for a trick, a subtle little twist that maybe I’d missed.  Nothing.  I cranked ‘er hard with all the muscles my right hand could create.  Solid.  An early grave appeared in my sagging head.

I looked over to my unknown friend and asked her to help.  Her hands turned.  The lid came off.  Easy … except when it isn’t.

It’s okay: older body, younger heart.  I thanked her with a smile.

***

My most precious moments are when I connect with another human being.  Two pairs of soft eyes finding each other.  I usually experience this when I’m paired with someone in Evolutionary Collective meetings on Zoom.  And often in my Gent life.

Sometimes I’m lost in my own thoughts, far from a union with anyone, oblivious to the spirit of the people around me.

Frequently, though, I’m seeing the human beings passing by.  I’m loving them in the eyes.  In those moments, rarely does anyone look at me.  They’re busy in their world.

And so the connection is one way.

That’s better than “no way” but part of me wonders whether I’m doing any good.  Is the other person sensing any well-wishes flowing from me to her or him?   My guess is they don’t.  At least consciously.  But is it possible that I’m reaching them in some realm beyond our minds?  Yes … it is possible. 

I’ll keep throwing love into the street without any evidence that I’m contributing to other lives.  Maybe I’ll toss the word “evidence” to the winds and watch it drift away.  Bye, bye.

***

Tonight I’m singing in the open mic session at Minard.  There’ll probably be fifty souls in the audience.  For the first time in my singing life, I’m more excited than scared.  Wow!  That’s so cool.

May the words and the melody and my voice touch those present.  Perhaps it will be “Connection Two Ways” this evening.