It’s been a new experience sharing thoughts every day in this medium. I keep hoping that it comes easier and easier. In some ways, it has. Sometimes I’m still concerned with how to share things in the right way where the whole world can read it. I am hopeful that I will find this balance.

For today, I want to share something that happened this morning. The family and I set out for the State Fair of Texas. Aside from a few years we missed from Covid, we try to make it out every year. It isn’t a cheap excursion, but generally a lot of fun.

I like to head out early. Call me old school, but getting places on time is important. The fair opened at 10 this morning and that was when I wanted to be there. We got under way and the map said we would arrive on time. Enter Dallas traffic. Nothing is ever on time in Dallas traffic. We arrived about 20 after, but we were able to park close to the gate so I figured we were doing good.

When I got out of the car, the attendant headed over and tried to charge me 30 buck to park. The sign on the fence nearby said 20. I told him I wasn’t paying more than the posted rate. He relented and I handed over the cash. We were then off to see the sights.

After a fun few hours which included that enormous pig above, we headed back to the car. Thankfully the lot was not too far from the gate. When we got back to the car, we realized our car was buried. I parked right next to the road, but the attendant blocked us in. The only way out was to hope the curb.

My darling bride went to find the parking lot attendant. It was then we found out…we had been parked by a homeless guy that morning. Half the lot was already full when the real attendant showed up. Apparently the homeless guy made a few hundred bucks and was on his merry way. No wonder he tried to charge me 30.

The lady was gracious and laughed about it with us. We hopped in the car and hopped the curb. It was a funny end to a good day at the fair. Though I don’t like what the homeless guy was doing, I admire his hustle.

I took a rest day today. I still accomplished all of my daily goals, but it was a low key/chill kind of day. I needed it more than I thought I did. It has been too long.

Rest is vital. Recuperating in a purposeful way is a must. I am not got at it. Once upon a time I was a free spirit that had no problem taking a day and doing nothing. That is not who I am anymore. Resting does not come easy.

That is why days like today are so important. And having someone that will make you take a day like today. My beautiful wife did that for me. She told me to relax and just piddle around the house. I did. I needed it.

When was the last time you unplugged? If you are anything like me, it has been too long. Don’t forget to take a rest here and there. It is very needed.

I started reading a very old book this morning. Written in 1859, what would a book have to teach me today? Isn’t information of that age out of date and out of style? In a word, no. I read a book daily that is thousands of years older. So, it stands to reason that a book from 1859 could still teach me a thing or two.

What book am I reading 160 years after it was published? Self Help by Samuel Smiles. I have tried to read it before. I must admit, the English in this book is challenging. He really knew how to speak the language and I am having to process each sentence as they come along. It is good and very informative.

Right from the start he hits on a topic that I believe is essential to the world right now. Our societies are only as strong as the character of the people that make them up. What do I mean? If we have a majority in our societies that are devoid of morality, we will have a nation that is devoid of morality. We are the sum of our parts, so it seems.

I am eager to read this book. The last time I stopped a few chapters in as the descriptions he made were from a time I could not understand. I feel that was a mistake on my part. Whether the language is old or new, there are lessons here that I need to understand. There is something vital here.

I want to share one of the nuggets I picked up from the book as a final thought:

Standing here with 25% of my goal complete, I feel satisfaction and a desire to keep going strong. The evidence of the effort is starting to show, but there is a long way to go.

I will start sharing the improvements soon. For now, my goal marches on. Keep moving forward.

I’m an odd duck. I came to terms with this a long time ago. Realizing this has kept me out of the comparison game. I don’t have to be like anybody else, because I’m not for the most part.

I remember wanting to be cool like everyone else. I liked the way they dressed. I liked the way they walked. I liked who they hung out with. I was jealous and I couldn’t tell you why. Do you know what I mean?

Then, one day, you find a group of friends who accept you just as you are. You don’t have to play the comparison game, because they like you for you. Your differences bring you together. It is an awesome feeling.

I’m thankful for friends like this. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been apart, everything falls back into place very quickly. Conversation gets easy. Everything is familiar, just like being home…because it is home.

I have some friendships like this. I am so thankful for them. If I’m honest, I would invite more friendships like this to be. Getting to be with people and enjoy them and their company in that judgement free space…that’s the good stuff.

It’s so awesome to be odd, and be accepted for it.