Life of Awe

OMG. It’s Over. Now the Work Begins.

December 25, 2014 by Charlie Hedges − 0 Comments

The organized have been shopping for a month (or more). The prepared for at least a couple of weeks. Most of us lived in denial until a week ago or so.

But it’s now over, thank goodness. Or is it? Crap! We gotta take down the tree and lights and a plethora of Christmas garbage… it was beautiful. Now it’s just another stinking thing to do.

And oh no. We have to exchange some of our gifts or if you are a “sale-aphile,” then you’re out doing serious shopping with even greater hordes than before Christmas. This is NOT the season to be jolly. It’s the hangover, and more shopping just becomes taking some of the “dog that bit you.”

Take my advice and SAY NO. Don’t do it! You have more important things to do. In fact, in my mind today begins the best week of next year. Let me explain.
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There are NO RULES for a Life Filled with Awe

December 3, 2014 by Charlie Hedges − 0 Comments

You can change or stay the same; there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it.

And I hope you see things that startle you.

I hope you feel things you never felt before.

I hope you meet people with a different point of view.

Benjamin Button (Movie voice over; letter to his daughter)

Have you noticed how susceptible you are to things that bring you a sense of awe—like sunsets, Christmas lights, puppies, art, fabulous architecture, landscapes, and so on? Do you recall how much joy and excitement you get when you see it or feel it? How the marvel of it goes right to your core, almost making you a different kind of person for that moment?

Oohlala, the feeling is magical! And yet… have you also noticed that you very rarely actively seek out such life-engaging moments? You (and I) just kind of hang around the ordinariness of the ordinary and then get surprised or startled by something awesome somewhat accidentally?!

Well, I noticed. A couple of years ago…

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All We Need Is… PEACE

November 26, 2014 by Charlie Hedges − 0 Comments

OKAY. OKAY. I know what you’re thinking… who does this guy think he is to change the lyrics of our most beloved St John Lennon? But, really, I haven’t changed the words as much as I’ve merely tweaked them.

If John Lennon thought the 60’s and 70‘s had their troubles they were nothing compared to what we face today in our own worlds: work, family, friends, health, money, rent, cars, kids, moving, savings, addictions, death, and shoot… I haven’t even brought up soccer and little league for crying out loud.

Our lives are crazy busy, crazy chaotic, and even crazier stressful.

In this post I’m not writing about peace vs. war. I’m writing about peace vs. life! Every stinking day there seems to come a time when we simply want to scream, “Gimme an frickin break!”
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How Italy Nearly Ruined My Life

October 1, 2014 by Charlie Hedges − 1 Comments

I know it sounds crazy, but Italy nearly ruined my life!
I was supposed to go to Spain for a month. Anchor in Madrid with friends then see the country, visit museums, draw and paint, eat, relax and visit the Barcelonian route of the main character in the spectacular novel Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I had been planning it in my mind for months.

Then, as it turns out, that year—2013—was a milestone birthday for my wife who decided that Italy was what she wanted for her birthday present. I should clarify, she didn’t want the entire country under the tree as a present; she just wanted to visit. Milestone Birthday. What’s a guy to do? He goes to Italy, that’s what he does. Spain can wait.
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