6/8/2024

Friend JRB,

It’s the 91st anniversary of the birth of my dad. He liked to say, “Keep smiling.”

He did a pretty good job of living that mantra, especially in his final years when he was weighed down by an oxygen machine & his body slowly withered away. It was hard to witness, but he made it easier on us by never complaining & always getting up in the morning & striving to be cheerful.

You radiate the same kind of positive energy.

Do you have some maxims that help you maintain your optimism? According to Psychology today that’s a trick the Stoics used to hold negative emotions at bay. They had “brief, pithy reminders that they could recall at those moments when they most needed them.”

I have several, too numerous to share here, but now I’m going to keep adding to my list. These quips are my cupid arrows for myself so I can love my life & maintain serenity. Today I will be adding, “attitude is the last freedom” to my quiver.

I remind you of my favorite mantra, WINTA & pass on the summary provided by Billy Ford, at the US Institute of Peace regarding Burma. “It is ethical and effective to support the pro-democracy movement & stop propping up the junta.” Look at his recent piece for more info.

I envy your 5-day visit to France! I watched your wreath ceremony at the Arche de Triomphe with EJMFM. It looks like they stopped traffic on the Champs-Élysées for the event. I’m sure that clogged the streets elsewhere in Paris, but c'est la vie, n'est ce pas?”

I’m sure you & EJMFM were both relieved to hear that the IDF was able to free some hostages. I was troubled to hear 240 Palestinians were killed so that 4 Israelis could be set free. I hypothesize that the hostage release was more about restoring the Israeli faith in the IDF than it was about the individuals involved. Bibi is the biggest beneficiary.

I am grateful that you & EJMFM model for us all how friends can agree to disagree. Truth & kindness. Love at its best!

BYBS,