Tag: love

Some bucket list items

Carl Setzer

Here are a few things I want to experience, but haven’t yet. Just a quick list of stuff that rattled out of my mind. What’s on your list? What do you recommend I add?

  • Wander the San Juans: I’ve ridden the ferry through the islands, but haven’t set foot in any of them
  • Visit the petrified forest 
  • Visit Jimi Hendrix ‘s grave 
  • Visit Bruce Lee’s, too
  • A photo expedition on Rainier 
  • One on Baker, too
  • Cross country ski trips to Winthrop & Yellowstone 
  • Bike across the state, Seattle to Spokane. Well, maybe Grey’s Harbor to Spokane. That would literally be across the state 

Thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, please consider liking this post and giving Not Just Seattle a follow. 

Still seeking focus and passion? Oh, man!

Carl Setzer

​Found this post while reviewing my blog: Overactive Mind.Written back in 2011, I still struggle with overflowing data streams, too much email, and finding focus. Well, better to call the last part “retaining focus”.  A challenge over my adult life: focus. So many cool things to learn, study, do.

I struck me seeing how little changed over 6 years. Ok, that’s frustrating, too. Really? The SAME issues? Sigh…..

Looking back over my adult life, well, still the same. Seeking focus, passion sums up my quest. Ultimately, I seek passion. For work that consumes me so deeply, filling me daily with delight, wonder and energy. 

Business, administration and all that received my attention. Mainly, my natural talent simply pulled me along. I never felt the passion which I sought. That nagged me. 

I see now my passion lies in place and family. My connection to community drives me. I love people: stories, struggles and the simple beauties which define our humanity. 

This region, this Puget Sound area, and western Washington, hold my heart, my history. Generations of my ancestors walked here, loved here, died here. THIS resonates with me. 

Writing also generates passion within me. I started journaling as a young man, with my writings going back to the 1980s (my mind fails to embrace how long ago the 80s were). Even though I devalued my work and ambitions (so much hubris: a writer?), still I wrote. Helping me find peace in terrible times of my life, see so many things clearly, and hold hope, writing kept my sanity and gave me meaning. 

Well, clearly I defined my life’s passion. Here in this blog lies the manifestation of the intersection of my passions. Now, though: focusing upon them. The terrifying risk of failure focusing on my loves. Facing down the negative self-talk surrounding all this. So much left to accomplish in this journey. What a feeling of excitement and terror. Fortunately, you are along, too. That gives me peace. 

Enjoying the cherry blossoms at UW 

Carl Setzer

We wandered around campus last weekend. Stunned by the masses of tourists…I heard that there were tour buses. Very cool l guess. But out wasn’t the most lovely thing. Still, the blossoms were a lovely site. I always enjoy walking campus while they bloom. 

Another thing I enjoy about the U district: food. An interesting blend out food types, styles, ethnicities. No matter what you like, some one the ave,  most likely,  serves it there. 

I experienced so much life there, learned so much. A let part of development centred there. And I didn’t study there much. Yet I still love it, and expect I says will. 

Positive dreams

Carl Setzer

I seek a voice of positivity. With that, I want those around me to feel confidence. Not a mindless confidence that misses real limits and sets up for failure. Nor the sociopathic version, which doesn’t care about the impacts on the world or communities which surround us. Rather, a feeling of ability; knowing, deeply, we can make a positive impact. This mindset builds upon love.

This voice presents challenges, especially in today’s culture. The world highly focuses on our divisions, ignoring our commonalities. Speaking with a positive voice, elaborating upon our potentials as a diverse people generates derision. That saddens me. We value love, and denigrate it. This disconnect causes us much pain. And me a great deal of frustration.

Fret not, though, if you share this vision: I shall continue. Continuing with a vision of different people, with different backgrounds working together. Elements of Doctor King’s Dream. For I have the same dream. And the more I learn and grow, the deeper it becomes. Built upon this vision of love, my central feeling: hope. Hope for a positive future; people working together. And I delight in this.

Ah, Life!

Carl Setzer

Woke this morning listening to birds punctuate the silence. Delightful and heart-warming, clearly reminding me how good my life is. Sometimes it’s easy to fill up on life’s negativity. Then it spills over and crafts a life of misery, despair, anger and fear. Taking time to focus on beauty, on love, absorb it, pull it into one’s marrow, creates a more joyful existence. A deliberate act with great value.

Crafting a tolerant world

Carl Setzer

My morning feed brought me many articles about and stories about the transgender community. Often I’ve wondered how I can support these folks. To be blunt, I don’t understand what their lives are like. No idea. To state otherwise must come across as deeply insulting. Yet I seek to do something, anything to stem the tides of rage, of intolerance.

There are those desiring a miserable world of homogeneity. I can’t imagine a more wretched place. I seek a merry world filled with delighted compassion and glorious love. I doubt I can tilt the entire world this way, but I’m content with crafting an enclave of tolerance.

Ultimately, the core of such a place is simple: open ears and an open heart. Though I seek places within myself for connection, I must not believe those moments equate my path to theirs, my pain to theirs. We are each unique and glorious.

Seattle’s openness to diversity is one of my great delights. I love interacting with the breadth of humanity. And my son gets to grow up with the broader world deep within his awareness. That delights me deeply.