Good morning my spiritual counselors— Justin LaRosa, the Tampa monkish hippie and Jake Hall,the Macon Gospel Gothic radio star.
Got “Holy Smokers” from Jake, referring to a group of cigar smoking ministers to be in Atlanta.
I posted on Shuffling Editor Wednesday a piece about Struby and me and our maladies. Struby has begun treatment for metastatic breast cancer. I have Parkinson’s.
The two us have entered an existential and spiritual space together that holds opportunity for great learning as well as obvious peril. I will chronicle our new journey on the blog as it unfolds.
The wonderful “preaching” by Pat Pawelkop in the post has a deeper meaning for me. It shows again the healing power of community.
Writing the piece also brought to mind something I wrote in “Counterpunch” about clearing mental clutter as we age and grow spiritually.
Here it is:
“I also decided to stop wasting time with people who do not challenge, nourish or really matter to me.
“Hear the words of Mario de Andrade from “The Valuable Time of Maturity.”(13) He is a Brazilian poet, novelist, musicologist, art historian and photographer.
“I want to live close to human, very human people, who laugh at their own stumbles … close to those who do not run away from their responsibilities, who defend human dignity and who only want to walk on the side of truth and honesty…
“The essential is what makes life worthwhile. I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch the hearts of people; people whom the hard knocks of life taught to grow with softness in their soul.
“I am in a hurry … to live with the intensity that only maturity can bring.
“My goal is to arrive at the end satisfied and in peace with my loved ones and my conscience.”
Thanks guys for walking with me.
Much love,
Shuffling Editor
shufflingeditor.com 
So well said Gil. I especially loved
“I want to live close to human, very human people, who laugh at their own stumbles … close to those who do not run away from their responsibilities, who defend human dignity and who only want to walk on the side of truth and honesty…“
As we get older, it becomes more important to focus our energy on positive and “real” people and never los our sense of humor.
You have been such a help to Jim and I, we appreciate all you’ve done for us. Our love to you both in this new chapter of your life.
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