Paul Kilmon: A Life Illustrated in Words & Photos: December 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)

Sunday, December 15, 2024

December Musings

Holiday Cards: It’s that time of year. Send, don't send... Your choice. I know many who find it a hassle. Some say it is time consuming, and expensive. Others believe a shared social media greeting will suffice. There is no right or wrong choice, my friends. There are many ways to show someone you care during this holiday season. Do what feels right for you.

Card giving to me is old-world and speaks to a time when people were kinder, and definitely much more considerate.

I have a large stationery supply. If I see a card I like – I buy it, hoping I find the right person to send it to. There was a time when I sent cards to friends for every occasion, and sometimes no occasion. I just wanted them to know I was thinking of them. (I feel comfortable knowing the people who matter most to me in life know I love and care about them. I carry them in my heart – always and forever.)

I like sending cards, but seldom do these days. This probably is because of the daily writing I do in my journal, blog and on social media. The latter is not an excuse, but a fact.

Where I lack in card giving, I make up for with hugs. I am a hugger. Just ask my Roland Park Place friends, family. The hugs I receive in return are worth their weight in gold. Some days they are medicinal, healing my spirit.

Card giving, hugs, sticky notes, emails… It’s all good! This holiday season, I implore everyone to find some small way to communicate their feelings to the people who matter most in their life. The turmoil in the world demands this of us.

I close with this… Never underestimate the power of a smile. It costs nothing and it means everything – EVERYTHING! It might just be the most impactful gift you ever give.

My stationery arsenal includes note cards designed by K. Beyer, and J. Slavney. I am thrilled! – paerki

Accountability: A walk after work had me thinking about accountability. It is critical to thriving, especially in our professional lives. It is a key ingredient.

It is impossible to create a high-performing team when there is a lack of accountability. When no one takes ownership of making decisions, addressing issues, and solving problems, things do not get done. Even when I set clear expectations and goals, you turn a blind eye, and I know why.

I try my best to speak from a place of empathy, but you challenge me at every turn, and I know why.

You walked away, and I know why.

Now it is my turn to walk away, and you will never know why.

To be there for others, you need to maintain your own mental and physical health, friends.

To you friend… I am saying no to protect my own time and energy. – 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