Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Friday's Musings

Welcome!

Through my writing, photography, career, and personal challenges, you will discover I am just like you, a person on a journey. My goals are simple, to be healthy and happy. You will learn I have many interests. The driving force for all I do is communication, the sharing of ideas and my passion for laughter. It really is the best medicine and a great stress reducer.

I consider myself a down-to-earth guy, who is just making it up as I travel through life, adding a virtual laugh track here and there to amuse others and myself. I have a friendly personality, which is expressive, warm, upbeat, fun, and positive. I love meeting new people. I thrive on communication, organization, diversity, creativity, and laughter. – Paul Eric Kilmon (paerki)

Friday, May 23, 2014

Friday's Musings

Here’s to your weekend, friends. Find your joy. Cheers! – paerki

Memorial Day Weekend

I’m not here to dictate what we should be doing this Memorial Day weekend, but truly taking a few hours out of your schedule to volunteer, to sit in silence to reflect, to visit a cemetery, etc., would be great ways to enhance our spirits collectively. This will help nurture our weary souls, bringing about, I hope, a unification that is so desperately needed in this country.

I am grateful to all that are paving the way for freedom. From generations past who fought in Korea, Vietnam, World Wars I & II, Desert Storm and the many other wars of past and present, I owe all a debt of gratitude of which I could never repay, but I try my best to do so by being an upstanding citizen.

For those who will never fight in a military war, we owe it to the dead to be the best we can be. To all of us who are fighting the war of life, which is nothing more than indifference and ignorance, we must find a way to unite because our future depends on it.

Here’s to a safe, happy, healthy and, more importantly, a reflective Memorial Day weekend. Pray for peace every day. – paerki

(“There is a saying in Tibetan, 'Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.' No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.” ― Dalai Lama XIV)

What I See

Photos and words of encouragement are the best possible means for helping others see what I see that is good, healthy and right with the world. Let’s all put our best foot forward because you never know who is watching, and if they see someone positive, in time they might grow, forever inclined to follow your lead.

If you could see what I see, maybe, just maybe, you wouldn’t be so abusive, destructive and sad. I still think there is hope, but change doesn’t come overnight. If we want change, we must make change. If you always do what you have done, you will always get what you have gotten. Our desires and awareness must transcend our apathetic misgivings and our inherent self-pity.

It’s time we move on and seek a new day filled with love – real love for all things. Begin this transition with respect and a smile. When I concentrate on beauty, my respect for life is nurtured and my heart smiles, which I extend to all those I meet. If you could see what I see, you would be smiling too, friend. – paerki

What would life be like without memories? It’s fair to say, there would be no life at all. Memory is our communication, reason, coherence, our action and more importantly, our feeling. Memories create our path in life, developing our psychology and leading us emotionally.

One of the best ways to create and store memories is with video. These simple effortless little snippets of time create diaries and become perpetual time capsules, which justify our walk on earth, telling all with great enthusiasm… I was here! I mattered! I lived! Please, don’t forget me.

Share your views, thoughts and opinions in the written word. Snap photographs so your eyes can travel back in time, remembering the happy and sad moments that made you the person you were, are and became in life. But, whenever possible, capture video to enhance the memories you leave behind, so that others may pass the essence of your life on to future generations. – paerki

I love photographs! They have this amazing ability to tell stories of fun places, special moments, memorable events, and exciting places. They give us reason to pause and remember friends, family, coworkers and so many others. One photograph can conjure up a flood of memories taking us on a journey. They help us remember the past, enjoy the present and ponder the future.

On a cold and rainy day I love sitting in my living room with a roaring fire, a glass of wine, classical music playing in the background and my many photographs scattered about me. I love sifting through what I call my special collection, which refers to my favorites. They remind me of the saddest and happiest moments of my life. They remind me of challenges and overcoming.

My large collection of images are a testament to a life lived. Life happens all around us so it’s important to collect special memories, and what better way than with a photograph. – paerki

It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years. This art form has allowed me to showcase and express my creativity. It has bolstered my confidence (not that is was lacking). At times it has been therapeutic, but more than anything it has given me a much deeper view of the world and how I see myself in it.

I use my insights as a barometer for self-change, which helps me reconcile the past, adapt to the present and navigate carefully into the future. I have enjoyed the roller coaster ride of thought as my hands write it and my eyes see it. As always, I hope you can relate to my stories, appreciate my views, savor the wisdom, reflect on the concepts and, more than anything, respect my friendly and genuine interest in connecting with others.

Find you own voice. Think about writing your own blog. Learn your style, share your views and open a whole new world of possibilities for you and your readers-to-be.. – paerki