tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post3959241096839965013..comments2023-10-17T07:38:52.727-07:00Comments on Steve’s Soapbox: MY EXISTENTIAL MANIFESTO (Inspired by Jerry Maguire, act one, scene one)Steven Hutsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02742470465598372806noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post-78783049194882190412011-03-30T20:33:30.321-07:002011-03-30T20:33:30.321-07:00To All,
It was six months ago today, that Jeanne d...To All,<br />It was six months ago today, that Jeanne died. I have been told that God sometimes calls home the young, if he thinks they can do better work from the other side. I have glimpsed the world beyond, and I can assure you, we mourn not for those who have gone on ahead, but for we who must remain… When our lenses of perception are cleansed, we will see the infinitude that surrounds us. <br />I read a quote recently from Liam Neeson, who lost his wife Natasha Richardson in a sudden tragedy. Two years later, his activities of life are good, but the grief hits him in unpredictable waves, less frequently and less intensely with the passage of time, but still powerful. <br />The greater that was Jeanne’s gift to my life, the greater is my loss. What is not lost on me, is the majesty of her. She was regal in her presence, in her love of nearly everything, all the creatures and creations of God’s kingdom, and especially the small and the sweet. I truly have never witnessed so much goodness flowing out of anyone. There is great joy embedded in all my tears. <br />I am so much the better man for her influence on me, and the efforts I made for her, that I would never have made for myself. Even though I was cut in half by my loss, I am still far ahead of who I was before I committed to her. In my first dark week after she was gone, I read in her journals a warning—“John my beloved, if I do not make it, do not try to hide yourself away in a bottle of booze, or pills, or in a buffet line, or in pursuit of wanton materialism. Do not try to fill the void.”<br />From that day on I reverted to what I refer to as my Spartan existence; only whole foods, often vegan, and smaller portions; working out twice a day—I hike in nature while swinging my ten pound dumbbells in the martial arts whirling defense moves I learned in my youth; I also do squats uphill for a few hundred yards, morning and evening. I am down 25 lbs. and I am pretty ripped for age 63. <br />I send out my daily missives, which I write personally each morning, “Daily Seeking the Heart of God” to about 50 people, a number of whom are struggling with health, career or relationships. I have surrendered my ambitions, and I am listening for my higher callings. My friends in Idaho and Arizona live the best lives of anyone I know, close to nature, on a fraction of what people seem to need here in the high rent district. <br />I once lived in the most beautiful classic yacht ever built in this part of California. I had a mooring in the white heron sanctuary in Morro Bay. A great blue heron lived on my boomkin and a sea otter nested in the mattress of bull kelp that the tides swept into my anchor chain and bowsprit mainstay. <br />I would be rocked to sleep at night listening to the croak of the blue heron (sounds like the creaking of a coffin in scary movies but it’s really neat once you recognize it for what it is.) and awaken to the tapping of the Pismo clams on the “breaking rock” the otter held on his chest. I could almost reach out and touch both of the side walls of the cabins at once, but it was grand. <br />I am destined for a simpler life again. A prominent British Actress tells me she is gathering forces to by our estate property in Ojai. I may acquire a smaller footprint in California, or spend my time between Idaho and Arizona, with many journeys around and about. Time will tell. <br />I will make sure that I maintain some links for service to those less fortunate than myself. I plan to continue my portable financial practice for a few years, or perhaps forever, because my visionary side tells me the future will be fraught with challenges more difficult than ever, and most people in my profession do not think outside the box. <br />Most importantly, I am going to shift my priorities to less work and more adventures. I have my bucket list made out, and taking all of you, a few at a time, to secret places in the West and the Southwest is right near the top.<br />Agape,<br />John DavidJohn Rennellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post-43631827241530404992010-10-25T22:29:15.627-07:002010-10-25T22:29:15.627-07:00We had coffee last week. That's a good start....We had coffee last week. That's a good start. I enjoyed what you wrote. No more guilt. Here's to Jeanne...may she rest in peace and joy with the Lord. CarolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post-83816817510930205062010-10-22T23:40:29.569-07:002010-10-22T23:40:29.569-07:00I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Steve. You have...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Steve. You have ably captured how so many of us feel. It is time to practice these very things you talk about.<br />Dean WilsonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post-75789259741010776222010-10-22T22:46:51.967-07:002010-10-22T22:46:51.967-07:00I really enjoyed reading this Steve. You clearly h...I really enjoyed reading this Steve. You clearly have a gift. The funny thing is, you have always been one to practice these very things, at least in my mind from what I remember. I never pegged you as having to indulge in shallow "niceties". You always have been a straight shooter - diplomatic - but honest. Mike RileyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post-77323395305054029802010-10-22T09:56:05.220-07:002010-10-22T09:56:05.220-07:00Great blog. Time to show our love and appreciation...Great blog. Time to show our love and appreciation for those we care about while they're still alive to enjoy it!Marlayne Gironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11199744545765659677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152088215658547786.post-50397378943269214502010-10-22T08:55:48.216-07:002010-10-22T08:55:48.216-07:00My Beloved Old Friend, you came and touched our he...My Beloved Old Friend, you came and touched our hearts with your manifesto yesterday. There's something to be said about living our best lives via loving relationships! Wow, I've known you since I was 3 (we went to grade school together) and you and Theresa are like family to me. We have so many great childhood memories together and I now pray that we begin to create new ones as adults! Thanks for posting the picture of you and Wayne.....Lots of Love & Light, LaVell & Lisa MarieUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13009135980229948686noreply@blogger.com