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I didn’t expect much when someone asked to closely examine my deformed fingers—but the moment ended up teaching me about what truly matters – and what doesn’t.

• I may be a Blissful Hiker, but my body is twisted and deformed from severe osteoarthritis.
• I’ve learned to ignore their appearance and carry on with life, focusing on what they can do rather than how they look.
• When someone asked to inspect then comment on my fingers, I realized not only was it impolite and uncalled for behavior, but that my interests lie in more meaningful activities like cultivating my mind, my curiosity and my capacity to feel empathy.

MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.

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Let the Day Unfold! Let its gentle voice guide you toward unexpected surprises and open your heart to the lessons it holds.

• The lowly New Zealand sandfly teaches us about impermanence, to keep moving forward and to stay open to possibility.
• Letting the Day Unfold is a refreshing counterpoint to the classic carpe diem mindset.
• Rather than gripping the day tightly and trying to control every moment, this phrase invites us to ease our grip, to stay present, receptive, and ready for whatever detours might appear.

MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.

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Blissful's Great-grandma Emma used to say, "Life may be short, but it’s also wide."

• It’s a shift in perspective – from focusing on limitations to exploring possibilities, from dwelling on obstacles to finding creative detours.
• It would take walking the entire length of New Zealand on the Te Araroa for her to understand what Emma was talking about.
• The first lesson came in taking the risk to just go and do this thing – even in middle age –leaning into the unknown.
• Risk taking is good for us not because it promises a perfect life, but because it widens the journey ahead of us.

MUSIC: "Poema del Pastor Coya" by Angel Lasala as played by Alison Young, flute and Vicki Seldon, piano.

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