Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: Semantics

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)

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Semantics

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas… Christmas Tree vs. Holiday Tree… Rants about putting Christ back in Christmas – ENOUGH! Stop shaming people into submission. Why do we have to make such stances? Aren’t we all speaking the same language, and isn’t the message "Peace on earth, goodwill to all?" Stop with the narrow-minded rhetoric. Let’s concentrate on the good intentions of others. I am just happy someone is saying something positive and meaningful because the alternative has me scared. I observe Christmas, but say Happy Holidays. If you can’t respect the latter, I doubt you’ll appreciate our friendship. Just know my heart is always in the right place. This holiday stay focused on the good and relent on the negative. Please, don’t give into petty semantics. Rejoice in the healthy attitudes of your fellow travelers. I believe the majority of hearts are in the right place. Don’t you agree?

To my Jewish friends, there is no such thing as a Hanukkah Bush. Don’t buy into that ridiculous lie. That tree in your home is a Christmas Tree or if you like, a Holiday Tree. Don’t allow anyone to shame you into submission. (Throughout time, plants and trees always held special meaning for people during the winter months. Christmas trees derive from pagan, or non-Christian, practices of bringing greenery indoors to decorate in midwinter.)

I am sharing a tree with a friend. I am a gentile. She is a Jew. Together we are a force of love. There is nothing religious about our tree, but it does stand for something. It represents the beauty of nature, the good intentions of friendship, the hopefulness of new beginnings, a prayer for peace that the world so desperately needs and a devotion to love because that’s what saves any day. Love more… Hate less… Find peace.

A few times each week we light the tree, share a glass of cheer and celebrate our friendship. I encourage you to do the same, dear friends. Make time for those special people in your life. Happy Holidays! – paerki (Additional Photos: Christkindlmarkt)

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