MUSINGS and other writing by Mark Kolke

. . . . . . there is no edge to openness

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YOU NEED BOTH
 
Monday, August 8, 2022       
 
 
Starting things is easy.

Finishing them, however, goes from very easy to impossible. Anything we start, we can end, no muss – no fuss; we simply have to decide to stop.

I think too many things in our lives/organizations/governments are good ideas that fell short of being great ideas, ‘they seemed like a good idea at the time’ which went on too long in mediocrity and costs, without the result that was first intended. And that brings to mind another thing, a question: do things we start end up where we thought they would finish?

Most ideas that deserve to have their day in the sun morph along the way to improve – they get tested, challenged and blocked outright. Two things make the difference in moving them along, the worthiness of the idea or project and the bulldog spirit of pushing that rock up a steep hill.

You need both.

And during the toughest times, the lowest times, the nearly-giving-up times, nobody reaches out to help, so knowing you’ll be out on the skinny branches, in the end, is an essential element to keep in mind from the beginning through to the end. We can waver and weave like branches blown one way or another by the forces of nature, but if we are committed, we remain standing when everyone else has been felled, uprooted, or laid to waste behind us.
 
 
Reader feedback:
 
 
JUST GETTING STARTED 
Happy Birthday Mark! Wishing you a much less distracted year and know how positively impacted our boy is having his ADHD treated, JJ, Calgary, AB

Another wow. In love..lucky you. I guess it can happen at any age, CG, Cobourg, ON

Happy Birthday Mark! Enjoy your day and the year ahead! Best wishes with all your plans!, SM, Calgary, AB

A very happy birthday to you. May it be a year of renewal as well as fulfilment in every dimension of life. Thank you for being an inspiration to those of us that belong to the younger generation. Enjoy your new year sir. Regards, SK, Calgary, AB

Hi Mark, Wishing you a great day, and a great year! TA, Calgary, AB

During our last visit, I recall you mentioning that your birthday is not as important to you as that special day in December. Fortunately, you have many friends and colleagues who think otherwise! Lucky for us that you were brought in to this world to inspire and delight us with your wonderful and valuable reflections, sense of humour and kindness.  You deserve to be well celebrated  today ! Wishing you a day and year full of beautiful memories and fun adventures. All the best to you, EM, Calgary, AB … P.S. Thank you for the lovely note you sent. Am glad to hear (and read in “Musings) that your current journey is going as well as can be expected.  I look forward to our next visit for more updates! 😊

Best wishes on your birthday.  Assume Hazel accompanied you to watch your grandson participate  today  … and they got 
lots of  sun  kisses for the event .. a plus for sure.  After cheering your grandson on, hope you actually have an opportunity to celebrate your birthday milestone.  So glad to be learning about your health and happiness, BR, Calgary, AB


 


 
 

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