Today marks the Tenth Anniversary of this weekly blog: November 1, 2015, to November 1, 2025... over 500 posts!
I had just finished a two-year dialogue practicum in October 2015. This weekly blog helped me make sense of our complex and divided world as I practiced these new dialogue skills.
Each week -- for 10 years -- I have used photos and words to reflect upon listening and dialogue, misunderstandings and polarities, struggles and relationships.
Now, five years past COVID, we are living in a much different world than when this blog began. How has your life changed during these 10 years?
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| How have you colored your world? (Photo: Colored Sands used to create a Mandala -- Parliament of World Religions, 2015) |
After completing the practicum, I attended the Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City to expose myself to diverse religions and beliefs. I was mesmerized by a group of Tibetan monks who created a mandala over the course of this three-day conference... one colored grain of sand at a time! They brought life to a beautiful and intricate design. When finished, the monks did not monetize their design. Instead, they swept away their beautiful work of art -- never to be seen again.
Our lives are like that: one encounter or event at a time, bringing color and definition to Our Story's Canvas, never to be repeated.
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| When have you been patiently present to your relationships? (Photo: Tibetan Monk creating a Sacred Mandala, Grain by Grain -- Parliament of World Religions, 2015) |
Anniversaries are for celebration... and reflection:
- What and why are we celebrating?
- Who were we at the beginning of the journey?
- How have we changed?
Anniversaries also mark the ending of one period of our life and the beginning of another.
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| What beauty have you created? (Photo: Sacred Mandala Completed, Parliament of World Religions, October 2015) |
With this anniversary, I will be stepping back from this weekly blog -- ending ten years of weekly writings. I have appreciated your comments, emails, texts, and phone calls sharing your own reflections. You have been a valued friend along this journey!
I am reminded that each of us has a story to tell: an intricate kaleidoscope of experiences and lessons to be shared. I am interested in hearing more about people's values, what is important, and the choices they… you… we… have made.
Some have suggested transitioning these writings into a book format. I am beginning to explore a new way to share My Story, hear Your Story, and watch Our Story being created.
Thank you for sharing this journey, allowing one post at a time to create a beautiful design of awareness and understanding!
Peace,
Larry
P.S. If you are interested in hearing more about ideas I may pursue, please feel free to comment (below), text (858-926-9204), or email (LJGardepie@gmail.com). I will let you know in a few months when that new journey will begin.
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| Larry Gardepie
Dialogue San Diego Consulting
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