2-27-2024 9:06am

Just Being

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - JUST BEING

Today's world seems hectic with complexities beyond what we can process on a daily basis. I find myself paying less attention to news and politics and more attention to the natural world around me. It allows me to just be.

Lately, people seem to be more outspoken than ever before. With so many social media platforms and cable and network news channels, we get more information than we need, and we witness things that can be very disturbing. TV programs are now centered around raging against the machine and taking sides, pitting people against each other. Cell phones enable us to videotape the most heinous crimes and post them. It's easy to express ourselves now on multiple platforms, and sometimes people say things to you in person that they would not otherwise dare to say. There was a time where common respect was the norm. I miss those days of just being able to be yourself and not worry about what others thought about you or what they were going to say even when a seemingly good conversation went bad.

I remember a time when elders were respected merely by their age. I'm now an elder, and I find at times not everyone is respectful when I think they should be. Yes, we should feel free to say how we feel, but common respect for others needs to be dusted off. It is never old-fashioned.

It seems harder now to just be, but I think we can make an effort to be just that. By now, at 60 and beyond, we know ourselves better. We know what is appropriate and inappropriate to say, and we can control ourselves more. At least that's the goal. We know what we need for peace and tranquility.

Conversation is an art, and we are constantly learning how to communicate with each other. As the world changes, so does our vernacular. Each generation has a new lingo. So where we once said, "have a great day," the younger generation now says, "have a good one." My favorite has always been Peace. And I've always loved the symbol. It's still relevant.

Today, we must be careful with the words we choose so we don't offend others. People are on high alert now, so we must watch our tongues. It's a slippery slope. We can say something that we think is appropriate in the moment as conversation flows just to find out that it wasn't received well by the other person. That can have serious repercussions. My advice is to stay away from political and religious conversations. They never end well, and quite frankly, they are very personal and not up for debate. Who needs more debating.

"If you're yelling, you're the one who's lost control of the conversation." That's a quote I love by Taylor Swift. Maybe we need to become better listeners. We can learn a lot by listening. Conversation is a give and take, and listening is a part of it. The next time you find yourself in a casual chat with someone, and it's taking a turn for the worse, take a pause and listen. Just be. You might also learn something in the process. You'll see.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, we are always learning about ourselves and new ways of being in conversation and in silence.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - LANDCRAFT GARDEN FOUNDATION

I discovered the Landcraft Garden Foundation by searching for beautiful gardens on Long Island. I can't wait to visit when they open for their 2024 season this May. Landcraft Garden Foundation is dedicated to inspiring, educating and promoting gardening, horticulture and the preservation of our natural environment. Our mission is to provide a horticulturally diverse garden that offers knowledge of the plant world and acts as a laboratory for experimenting with horticultural techniques, plant diversity, breeding and design. Ultimately our intention is to provide the experience of peace and stability that gardens bring to people throughout the world. Flower power!

For more information, visit www.landcraftgardenfoundation.org

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SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Dear God,

Please help me to just be in all situations with the freedom to express myself in ways that do not offend others. Allow me to always be my best self. Amen.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Jazz is smooth and cool. Jazz is rage. Jazz flows like water. Jazz never seems to begin or end. Jazz isn't methodical, but jazz isn't messy either. Jazz is a conversation, a give and take. Jazz is the connection and communication between musicians. Jazz is abandon."

- Nat Wolff, American Actor and Musician

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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What does just being mean to you?

Please put your answer in the Reply bubble below next to the heart. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - JUMPIIN JIVE by CAB CALLOWAY

LYRICS

Hep-hep!
De-boodle-de-ack, de-boodle-de-ackasaki!
Hep-hep!
Oh, rang-tang, te-dah-dah,
Hep-hep!
Gonna tell you 'bout the jumpin' jive,
Hep-hep!
Jim, jam, jump, the jumpin' jive;
Hep-hep!
Cats gonna beat out this mellow jive;
Hep-hep!
Beat it out on the mellow side. Boy?
Whatcha gonna say there, gate?
Oh, boy!
Whatcha gonna say there, gate?
Palomar, shalomar, Swanee shore,
Let me dig that jive once more,
Boy!
Lay it right on down to the gator.
Oh, boy!
Lay it flat as a gator.
Now, can't you hear those hepcats call,
Yeah!
Come on, boys, let's have a ball!
The jim, jam, jump on the jumpin' jive
Makes you dig your jive on the mellow side,
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
The jim, jam, jump is the solid jive
Makes you nine foot tall when you're four foot five,
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
Now, don't you be that ickeroo,
Get hep, come on and follow through,
Then you get your steady foo,
You make the joint jump like the gators do,
The jim, jam, jump on the jumpin' jive
Makes you like your eggs on the Jersey side,
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
The jim, jam, jumpin' jive
Makes you hep-hep on the mellow side!
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
The jim, jam, jump on the jumpin' jive,
Will make you dig your jive on the mellow side,
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
The jim, jam, jump, the solid jive
Makes you nine foot tall when you're four foot five,
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
Now, don't you be that ickeroo,
Get hep, come on and follow through,
Then you get your steady foo,
You make the joint jump like the gators do,
The jim, jam, jump on the jumpin' jive
Makes you like your eggs on the Jersey side,
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
The jim, jam, jumpin' jive,
Makes you hep-hep on the mellow side;
Hep-hep!
Hep-hep!
Now, I've told you 'bout the jumpin' jive,
The jim, jam, jump, the jumpin' jive,
I know you dug this mellow jive,
Oh, you dig it on the mellow side.

Another Version
Boy? Oh, boy!
Panama, Shanama, Swanee shore,
Let me dig that jive some more; Boy? Oh boy!
The jim-jam-jump with the jumpin' jive
Makes you get your kicks on the mellow side.
Hep! Hep!
Hep! Hep! The jim-jam-jump with the solid jive,
Makes you nine foot tall when you're four foot five,
Hep! hep!
Hep! Hep! Don't be that ickeroo,
Get hep and follow through,
And get your steady foo
Make the joint jump like the gators do, The jim-jam-jump with the jumpin' jive,
Makes you like your eggs on the Jersey side,
Hep! Hep!
Hep! Hep! The jim-jam-jump with the jumpin' jive,
Makes you hep! hep! hep! on the mellow side!

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ABOUT SKYLARK

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter; Skylark Live Town News, and a monthly vlog; 60 and Beyond with Skylark. I’m still mulling around the idea of monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. This is a work in progress. They are all designed to inspire and motivate people to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

Skylark Live Town News - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. And, I throw in Italian words because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletter throughout the month. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my YouTube channel link to subscribe:

Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for just $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newsletter and create my vlogs. Just click the link: Skylark Live | 60 and Beyond with Skylark | Patreon

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day. Saluti! Cheers!