September 10, 2020 I’ve made a point to talk more to people around me whenever I am out. I’ve been leaving my phone off. I’ve started conversations that go beyond “How are you? I’m fine. Bye.” You know what I’ve found? Other people are as desperate as I am to have a real-life conversation with…
Author: Steve Ainslie
Voting My Conscience
I think Trump is a bully, a liar and an embarrassment for the country. That said, he’s really not that different than most politicians – he’s out to take care of himself, his friends and people who give him money. Other politicians may be a bit more genteel and polite in their lying and stealing, but…
Do Not Disturb
Imagine getting interrupted at random times throughout all hours by a buzzer demanding your immediate attention. How long could you handle this before losing your mind? For me, the first time I dealt with this was at work. Years later, I had to quit social media to find peace. And now, coming full circle as…
Where Is Your Shame?
For many years, I did volunteer work with people who had problems with alcohol. We had all kinds of people show up seeking help – from college professors to homeless drunks to blue collar professionals to clergymen. I learned that the people I could help best were those who couldn’t stop drinking and were willing…
To Tell The Truth
“Our most important concern is the health and safety of our customers, employees and community”. In the last two days, I heard this message from: My city garbage collection service when checking the website to see if yard waste would be picked up. A local car dealer’s radio ad which never mentioned cars, instead touting…
A Do Over
When I started teaching myself how to paint last year I knew I was going to suck. I have no “natural” artistic ability. I have no sense for color. I had no technique and no art education. What I had was a desire to learn and a willingness to fail repeatedly. I began by following online tutorials. I learned how…
10 Weeks To Full Intensity
I’m 10 weeks post op from my hernia surgery. It’s hard to believe I lived with this, worried about it and even weighed suicide vs. surgery for 9 months. I’m not 100% recovered. I still have some achy pain in the scar area at times. It’s rarely bad enough to even need an Advil. As…
You Deserve Shit
Years ago, having lost another job due to an unexpected firing, I learned the only thing I would be receiving from my employer was my final paycheck. There was no consideration for the long hours, weekends worked, sleepless nights, stress, unpaid overtime or any other extra efforts I had made for the company. When it…
I Don’t Mediate… I Move
I began meditating back in 2004. I would sit each morning in the dark on the sofa with a dog under each arm. I would take long deep breaths and I’d let my mind wander. I followed the advice of some guru to imagine my thoughts as objects floating past me in a stream….
Painting Through The Pandemic
I have been painting throughout the pandemic. Here are my subjects: Landscapes – originally following Bob Ross tutorials, then other “wet on wet” tutorials and, after hundreds of hours and many mistakes, on my own. Seascapes and Deserts – After following some tutorials, I have branched out to freehand painting from my imagination The Forest –…