A Week in the Life
Reflections on Dreams, Health, and a World in Turmoil
Dreams and Self-Reflection
I’d an interesting dream last night. I feel it was asking me: How much am I in touch with my life and feelings?
Reflections on My Dream
In my dream last night, I am back in the Marist Fathers, with whom I sojourned for nine years as a young man, and I feel isolated. It is announced that somebody has died. I weep. I’m not sure whether a seminarian sitting next to me is scornful of my tears or if he envies my ability to cry, to be in touch with my life and feelings.
Living with a Heart Condition
I’m in an online support group for people with any kind of heart condition. Everyone has a heart, even Trump and Putin. But people with a heart condition are aware of the fragility of life. Your life, anyone’s life, can be upended of an instant.
Imposter Syndrome and Belonging
My imposter syndrome is with me even in this group, because as I listen to the stories of others, I’m struck by much younger people then me having far more serious conditions than mine. And then someone reminds me of my own journey within the group and how far I’ve come since last summer and I wonder if my imposter syndrome is denial on my part that yes, I’m not an imposter: I belong here.
Gratitude and Perspective
I listen to young parents with heart conditions speak of their lives, with their traumas, challenges, vulnerabilities, and their unsung heroism, strength, bravery and resilience. I consider how lucky I am.
A Troubled World
I think too of the suffering of the people of Gaza and Israel, and the brave people and soldiers of Ukraine defending their freedom against Putin’s unprovoked war.
I consider the people of Canada, Panama and Greenland, targets for Trump’s malignant expansionist ambitions. And I wonder: what the fuck has happened to the world?
The Lessons of History
There have been worse times in human history, far worse; like during the First and Second World Wars. Or during the Black Death.
What I find chilling though is humankind’s seeming inability to learn from history. The Great War was deemed the war to end all wars. It didn’t. Within 20 years, the world faced a new conflagration between 1939 and 1945.
A Memory of Hope
I remember the photo in a newspaper of a handsome smiling Russian soldier with a flower in the barrel of his gun back in the early 1990s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when we all dared to believe in peace.
But Putin and his imbecilic war, based on his failure to grasp the lessons of history and his personal lack of wisdom, upturned everything. And his Admirer in Chief, Donald Trump, regarding Putin a genius, appears to me to betray friends and allies and unleash chaos in the world.
Health and Rest
I’ve had a chest infection this week and so I couldn’t do my usual physical exercise routine. Seemingly, if you have a virus above the neck, like a head cold, you’re fine for a workout; but if it’s below the neck, like a chest infection, you’re better off resting.
Creative Pursuits and Collaboration
I’m continuing to do collaborative songwriting. Tomorrow morning, The Rayne, Andrea Patron, Zac Ware and I continue work on something special we’ve been creating for the past several weeks. And I’m writing new songs with magnificent musician Robin Lawley, who began his lifetime in music as a childhood vocal prodigy.
Hot from the recording studio, take a listen to Robin’s new and chilling release, Dark, sung by Matteo Lendotti, here, which is released, yes, today, Friday 21 March 2025. I feel its theme is very relevant to today’s Substack and this hour in human history.
Giving Back Through Toastmasters
This year, I’ve taken a step back from competing in Toastmasters contests to help in organising them. Last Wednesday, our Area’s International Speech and Evaluation contests were hosted by Navan Toastmasters. I was asked to take pictures at the event. I was happy to do so and I think the photos capture the fun, friendliness and positive vibes of the gathering.
A Wish for a Better World
If only Trump and Putin had some of the life experience and wisdom of the people in my online heart support group, this present dangerous world would be a safer place.
If only Putin and Trump set aside their expansionist dreams and attended to their nighttime dreams, wherein wisdom may be found; and the earth would be a happier planet.
If only Putin drew inspiration from that beautiful Russian soldier with the flower in his gun instead of sending Russian and North Korean soldiers to their deaths. Or if Trump spent his remaining days writing songs, instead of bullying Canada, Panama, and the European Union.
What a better world it would be.
Happy days
Joe
Joe’s acclaimed first memoir In My Gut, I Don’t Believe is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, Hardback and Audible editions. His second memoir Saved by a Woman is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardback editions.
