Indeed it does, and the owls agree with you. A startling difference between 'now' us, and 'then' us is the realization that a lot of the promotion/contact/content/posting/commenting was entirely (okay, mostly) transactional. The amazing community we've discovered lacks any of that. Thanks, Andee, hurry back, we Benchers miss you.
I think I told you once that I could never stack rocks, but that a week after I retired and moved to Panamá, I walked down to the river and stacked eleven.
This resonates more than you can imagine, Byron. It's a beautifully articulated story I will not forget. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Best wishes to you and Mariah. 💖🫶🐾
There is so much here. Where to begin. Maybe it's here: the lure of social media—the carrot—is "more": more clicks, likes, hearts, money, recognition, whatever. The problem with "more" is that it's never enough.
And from where I sit, whether behind my podcast microphone or my Substack keyboard, consumers increasingly gravitate toward and consume fame. Podcasts and Substack are increasingly dominated by "names." So, I can pack up my microphone and keyboard and go home, or I can look differently at what satisfies me: the conversation with a few fellow observers of the world.
Thanks for being one of them, Byron. Thanks for a great "Whoo, Whoo!" here today.
You're very welcome, Jeff, and thanks for reading. Looking back, there are many conclusions and lessons. One of the better ones is that we were right about carrots; while they may be good for eyesight, they're not all that good for insight!
Your wonderful experiences in narrative form reach us in the deeper places, Byron.
Here on Whidbey we have a number of different species of owls & my fav is the Great Horned Owl. They are the earliest to breed. Sitting outside in the dark of a winter morning I can hear their 5-note call & response. A comfort reminding us that there is still habitat for them.
As to slowing down, I get it: "life is short - go slow." Seems paradoxical until you get it.
Only 15 or so years ago we didn't have the rapid-response system of digital marketplaces. We could connect face-to-face or by a phone call. I realized that I was no longer willing to play that digital game. And, like you and Mariah left the echo chamber world.
What happens next? Storytelling workshops in community.
Byron, your journey from the frenzied pursuit of success to the quiet embrace of nature is both beautiful and inspiring — a reminder that true fulfillment often comes when we stop chasing and simply listen. In stepping away from the noise, you’ve found peace in the rhythms of the natural world, where an owl’s call becomes a welcome, and stillness becomes a teacher. Your story mirrors the wisdom of Rumi: "The wound is the place where the light enters you." May your sanctuary continue to nourish your soul, and may we all learn to slow down enough to hear the song beneath the silence. 🌿🦉
Thanks for the always valuable feedback. Life IS short, go slow has a nice ring to it. Something Mickey Singer dwells on is the inevitability of death, (he just turned 78, and, in his words, the excitement of it. "You get to learn the answer to life's greatest mystery!" He'd respond very well to this. The owls seem to get it, and I'm not at all sure we're just anthropomorphizing there.
Thanks for the comment, and for reading Passing Thoughts. I do remember the comment about rocks, and I seem to recall thinking — though I may be misremembering this — that if this is all there is to do in Boquete..? Anyway, I appreciate your time. We never did get around to that Zoom.
Insightful, wise and above all, real. You have made the transformation your heart and soul needed, and the world needs more souls like you to make a difference. Love to you both, Colin
I love reading this.
This suits you better.
Indeed it does, and the owls agree with you. A startling difference between 'now' us, and 'then' us is the realization that a lot of the promotion/contact/content/posting/commenting was entirely (okay, mostly) transactional. The amazing community we've discovered lacks any of that. Thanks, Andee, hurry back, we Benchers miss you.
I think I told you once that I could never stack rocks, but that a week after I retired and moved to Panamá, I walked down to the river and stacked eleven.
This resonates more than you can imagine, Byron. It's a beautifully articulated story I will not forget. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Best wishes to you and Mariah. 💖🫶🐾
Many thanks, Lesley, it means a lot. I'm very happy the story resonated with you, our 'owl' friend seems to drop by frequently!
There is so much here. Where to begin. Maybe it's here: the lure of social media—the carrot—is "more": more clicks, likes, hearts, money, recognition, whatever. The problem with "more" is that it's never enough.
And from where I sit, whether behind my podcast microphone or my Substack keyboard, consumers increasingly gravitate toward and consume fame. Podcasts and Substack are increasingly dominated by "names." So, I can pack up my microphone and keyboard and go home, or I can look differently at what satisfies me: the conversation with a few fellow observers of the world.
Thanks for being one of them, Byron. Thanks for a great "Whoo, Whoo!" here today.
You're very welcome, Jeff, and thanks for reading. Looking back, there are many conclusions and lessons. One of the better ones is that we were right about carrots; while they may be good for eyesight, they're not all that good for insight!
Brilliant!
Well done!
Your wonderful experiences in narrative form reach us in the deeper places, Byron.
Here on Whidbey we have a number of different species of owls & my fav is the Great Horned Owl. They are the earliest to breed. Sitting outside in the dark of a winter morning I can hear their 5-note call & response. A comfort reminding us that there is still habitat for them.
As to slowing down, I get it: "life is short - go slow." Seems paradoxical until you get it.
Only 15 or so years ago we didn't have the rapid-response system of digital marketplaces. We could connect face-to-face or by a phone call. I realized that I was no longer willing to play that digital game. And, like you and Mariah left the echo chamber world.
What happens next? Storytelling workshops in community.
Byron, your journey from the frenzied pursuit of success to the quiet embrace of nature is both beautiful and inspiring — a reminder that true fulfillment often comes when we stop chasing and simply listen. In stepping away from the noise, you’ve found peace in the rhythms of the natural world, where an owl’s call becomes a welcome, and stillness becomes a teacher. Your story mirrors the wisdom of Rumi: "The wound is the place where the light enters you." May your sanctuary continue to nourish your soul, and may we all learn to slow down enough to hear the song beneath the silence. 🌿🦉
Thanks, Dennis, hope the UK is treating you well. Hugs and hellos to your mate!
Thank you for this, my friend. It does indeed feel like a transformation, and in the short time I have left I intend to make the best of it.
(Hope the medical procedure was uneventful & satisfactory!)
Thanks for the always valuable feedback. Life IS short, go slow has a nice ring to it. Something Mickey Singer dwells on is the inevitability of death, (he just turned 78, and, in his words, the excitement of it. "You get to learn the answer to life's greatest mystery!" He'd respond very well to this. The owls seem to get it, and I'm not at all sure we're just anthropomorphizing there.
Thanks for the comment, and for reading Passing Thoughts. I do remember the comment about rocks, and I seem to recall thinking — though I may be misremembering this — that if this is all there is to do in Boquete..? Anyway, I appreciate your time. We never did get around to that Zoom.
Insightful, wise and above all, real. You have made the transformation your heart and soul needed, and the world needs more souls like you to make a difference. Love to you both, Colin