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Pleasant Surprise

Met up with an old friend for lunch today.  Was a little surprised at the invitation, since I have never thought of us as close, but it was just lunch, and i thought 'just go, what the hell'.  It actually turned out quite alright.  I should give people a chance, shouldn't I?

Time and time again, I am surprised by the complexity of humans and how one's life experiences shape one's character and view of the world.  There is a certain type of person I naturally gravitate towards - straightforward, grounded, smart individuals with some care for the world and others.  I've gradually realised that these people are not easy to find, because they tend to be the ones that feel relatively satisfied with their lives, who have not felt marginalised or threatened by others or have simply risen beyond spite.  One of the differences I've found in my current environment is, people are defensive, secretive and emotionally unstable even. It is not an inclusive culture.  I've forced myself to dislodge from this group simply because I don't think I should be affected by it.

I just want to stay focused on my family, friends and career.

It's almost the end of October, Christmas is just over 2 months away.  Let's make a conscious choice to love another as Jesus taught us.  If the Mayans were right, we will be gone in less than 60 days. Live each day like it's your last.  Carpe diem.


Odes 1.11, in Latin and English:
Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibiDon't ask (it's forbidden to know) what end
finem di dederint, Leuconoe, nec Babyloniosthe gods have granted to me or you, Leuconoe. Don't play with Babylonian
temptaris numeros. ut melius, quidquid erit, pati.fortune-telling either. How much better it is to endure whatever will be!
seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,Whether Jupiter has allotted to sink you many more winters or this final one
quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare Tyrrhenum:which even now wears out the Tyrrhenian sea on the rocks placed opposite
sapias, vina liques et spatio brevi— be wise, strain the wine, and scale back your long hopes
spem longam reseces. dum loquimur, fugerit invidato a short period. While we speak, envious time will have {already} fled
aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.

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