I have been thinking the same thing, about how all people look at the same moon and how even something like loneliness can feel like a luxury right now.
You’re sensitive, caring heart shines through this letter…what a wonderful way for Myles to know his dad when he’s older! I feel the same way about those who’ve less, those who live in fear. Thank you for reminding us to be grateful,humble, not look away. Beautifully written as always, sweet man.
Sorry to hear about your fridge. Living in West Africa in my youth gave me an attitude of gratitude. I saw so many people suffering but still holding fast to joy. It helped to put things into perspective for me at an early age. I understand my privilege. And I’ve chosen gratefulness over guilt. That means walking in my purpose and using the resources I’ve been blessed with instead of failing to make the most of them or failing to be the best man I can be. Great food for thought this morning, Marc. Keep it coming!
Marc (dang, I almost started with “Myles”) - this is exceptional. It gives me faith in the world knowing there are people like you in it. We are all heroes and villains and everything in between. *steps off philosophical soapbox
“I haven’t played basketball in years” - jumper looked solid from the First Words video - the rust will come off quick
(Hey Myles, come over to my house and you can have a big slice of chocolate cake and a Coke, but you can’t say anything to dad, otherwise we’ll both get shot.)
And. You can grieve the world AND grieve your daily problems. Just because people are starving doesn't mean that your feelings should be ignored, or they are somehow less important. Your life is your life. Your feelings are your feelings, regardless of privilege or lack. Your feelings are real and valid because they are yours. Comparison never helps anyone.
This is so beautiful. You weave so naturally between the private/public which makes sense because it’s really all one continuum. Thank you for sharing your life!
This is a subject that crosses my mind ever so often since 2017.
1. I channel it by striving to operate in a Spirit of Excellence with anything I have to do especially at work. Almost feeling like I’m not going to squander the privilege of higher education and give subpar care.
2. I feel compelled to confront my privilege when I am in my neighborhood and thinking about my future. I feel like I float between the worlds of “privileged” and “not privileged”.
I feel privileged due to my level of education, financial stability and limited life responsibilities when I’m looking in the scope of my community or being Caribbean. I feel not privileged when I look at myself in comparison to the larger world. I guess I confront it by keeping things in perspective, practicing gratitude and thanksgiving for what God has blessed me with and paying it forward.
3. The metaphorical spill milk I tend to cry over - which I know is gonna sound silly - is when I book a plane ticket and then the price drops and I have momentary agony over the money I could’ve saved even if it was a few dollars 🙃
4. I process and acknowledge my feelings sometimes through journaling and having an internal check in stating my noticings, then exploring the possible root, speaking a scripture that aligns with the circumstance to encourage myself and figuring what I need to move through it which could be being still, coloring, sleep, food, tv, music, the gym or a combination.
Such simple honest truth!
I have been thinking the same thing, about how all people look at the same moon and how even something like loneliness can feel like a luxury right now.
You’re sensitive, caring heart shines through this letter…what a wonderful way for Myles to know his dad when he’s older! I feel the same way about those who’ve less, those who live in fear. Thank you for reminding us to be grateful,humble, not look away. Beautifully written as always, sweet man.
Noooooo! Not the breast milk. Oh, your poor wife 😭😭😭
Two thoughts.
1. What a wonderful way to use this to balance the personal and the global.
2. Some hospitals have donation programs for breast milk.
(A neighbor took her frozen meat to a food bank when we lost power. I kicked myself that I didn't think of that.)
Sorry to hear about your fridge. Living in West Africa in my youth gave me an attitude of gratitude. I saw so many people suffering but still holding fast to joy. It helped to put things into perspective for me at an early age. I understand my privilege. And I’ve chosen gratefulness over guilt. That means walking in my purpose and using the resources I’ve been blessed with instead of failing to make the most of them or failing to be the best man I can be. Great food for thought this morning, Marc. Keep it coming!
Hold Myles tight.
Raw. Real. Relatable.
Every part of this one speaks to me. The privilege we don't think we have.
Marc (dang, I almost started with “Myles”) - this is exceptional. It gives me faith in the world knowing there are people like you in it. We are all heroes and villains and everything in between. *steps off philosophical soapbox
“I haven’t played basketball in years” - jumper looked solid from the First Words video - the rust will come off quick
(Hey Myles, come over to my house and you can have a big slice of chocolate cake and a Coke, but you can’t say anything to dad, otherwise we’ll both get shot.)
This is pretty much how I am feeling all the time right now. Thanks for writing all this tension and these questions into the world.
And. You can grieve the world AND grieve your daily problems. Just because people are starving doesn't mean that your feelings should be ignored, or they are somehow less important. Your life is your life. Your feelings are your feelings, regardless of privilege or lack. Your feelings are real and valid because they are yours. Comparison never helps anyone.
This is so beautiful. You weave so naturally between the private/public which makes sense because it’s really all one continuum. Thank you for sharing your life!
This is a subject that crosses my mind ever so often since 2017.
1. I channel it by striving to operate in a Spirit of Excellence with anything I have to do especially at work. Almost feeling like I’m not going to squander the privilege of higher education and give subpar care.
2. I feel compelled to confront my privilege when I am in my neighborhood and thinking about my future. I feel like I float between the worlds of “privileged” and “not privileged”.
I feel privileged due to my level of education, financial stability and limited life responsibilities when I’m looking in the scope of my community or being Caribbean. I feel not privileged when I look at myself in comparison to the larger world. I guess I confront it by keeping things in perspective, practicing gratitude and thanksgiving for what God has blessed me with and paying it forward.
3. The metaphorical spill milk I tend to cry over - which I know is gonna sound silly - is when I book a plane ticket and then the price drops and I have momentary agony over the money I could’ve saved even if it was a few dollars 🙃
4. I process and acknowledge my feelings sometimes through journaling and having an internal check in stating my noticings, then exploring the possible root, speaking a scripture that aligns with the circumstance to encourage myself and figuring what I need to move through it which could be being still, coloring, sleep, food, tv, music, the gym or a combination.
Thank you for writing the words I don’t have time to put down ❤️