I listened to James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” a classic from 1965 that remains one of his most popular songs. The track captures the story of a man undergoing a transformation and embracing a vibrant new lifestyle. With its energetic rhythm, the song vividly conveys the excitement of adopting a fresh identity.
On the dance floor, the man showcases a variety of dance styles, celebrating his newfound self. It’s a joyous anthem that highlights the thrill of personal evolution and the liberation that comes with redefining who you are.
Today’s topic was sparked by a conversation with a co-worker who came into the office to share about his day. He mentioned bamboo, and I left work curious, thinking I did not know much about this fascinating plant. So, I decided to learn more this evening. After a couple of hours of research, here’s what I found most interesting:
1. Bamboo is a Grass: Surprisingly, bamboo is classified as a grass, not a tree. It is the largest member of the grass family.
2. Versatile Uses: Bamboo can be used for a variety of purposes—it serves as a building material, is edible, and can even be processed into fabric.
3. Sustainability Champion: Bamboo is incredibly sustainable, capable of growing up to four feet in a single day and reaching full maturity in just two years.
4. Natural Antibacterial Properties: It does not need pesticides due to its naturally antibacterial qualities.
5. Carbon Sequestration: Bamboo can store significant amounts of Carbon in it’s biomass.
6. Historical Uses: Thomas Edison utilized bamboo for concrete reinforcements because it was more affordable than steel yet similar in strength.
7. Soft Fabric Production: Bamboo can be transformed into a silk-like fabric that is softer than cotton.
While exploring bamboo, I also came across the “Chinese Bamboo Story.” This story resonated with me, especially given some recent disappointments in my life. The moral emphasizes the importance of not losing sight of your dreams despite facing setbacks. It can be disheartening to invest time and effort without immediate results, but trusting the process is crucial. The struggles you face help build a strong foundation, much like bamboo’s roots, preparing you for future growth and success once you reach your goals
Mom has moved into a memory care facility. The transport happened today, bringing her from Southern New Mexico to Northern New Mexico. I wasn’t capable of being there, as I had to work, and I wonder if my presence would have made a difference.
Now she’ll have 24/7 care since she can no longer be left alone. This change will relieve some pressure from the caregiver friends and give us peace of mind knowing she’s in safe hands.
As I sit alone in my apartment, typing on my computer, I find myself reflecting on how we arrived at this point in life. It’s hard not to shed a few tears. Writing helps me process these feelings, I think.
Failure is the best teacher. Every setback is a lesson in bold letters, making us wiser and stronger. It drives us to reassess, adapt, and develop resilience. Without those stumbles, we would never reach the heights of real success or fully appreciate them.
How have failures shaped me?
Experiencing first disappointment can be humbling. Yet, it’s important to realize that setbacks can lead to other, more positive experiences. Life is full of events, and while it may appear like there are predetermined paths, we still must take action. Some things will work out as expected, while others won’t. Once you move past the disappointment, you can learn and adjust your approach. The desired outcome may not manifest itself, but what matters is making continuous attempts and persisting to achieve what you want.
I’m back- Life has been incredibly eventful since my last post.Writing is cathartic and therapeutic for me, so I wanted to share my latest adventures. I returned to my hometown and realized the situation was worse than I thought. I’ll spare the details as it gets quite personal.
From there, I traveled to Wisconsin for a race that was canceled, to Cincinnati for a work training, Oregon to run my 40th state marathon, and then to Atlanta for a job interview.
Along the way, I embarked on planning a new and thrilling adventure: walking El Camino de Santiago for my next birthday.
Here’s how that came to be:
During my work training in Cincinnati, we were asked to jot down notes and finish exercises in a notebook. One exercise required us to write about vacation trip we wanted help planning. I expressed my wish for a journey to find myself- a place to understand my life’s purpose and my impact on others.
We exchanged notebooks with randomly selected colleagues to gather ideas. My colleague, who is originally from Spain, instantly knew where to send me after reading my prompt: El Camino de Santiago. He was surprised I wasn’t familiar with it and explained its spiritual significance, convincing me that it was something I needed to do.
The training ended on Friday, and I flew out to Oregon for a marathon. At a 5K Shakeout Run, I chatted with a woman named Molly. It was her first half marathon race and we discussed her experiences. She mentioned having done a part of El Camino. I got chills when she uttered the words and I had to ask for clarification, it was indeed the trail in Spain that she was talking about. I shared my colleague’s suggestion, and she encouraged me further with her own story.
After the shakeout run, I spent several hours at Powell’s City of Books, browsing travel books on the pilgrimage. I focused on Andrew McCarthy’s “Walking with Sam.”
Today, I took my first training walk, spending 2 hours and 40 minutes on the paved bike path.
Journaling was Recommended 