<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Read at Mastery<br class=""><div><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""><br class=""></div><br class=""><div class=""><div dir="ltr" class="">
<h1 style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;break-after:avoid;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Courier New"" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:normal" class="">La Joie de Vivre</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:normal" class=""> – To Charissa on her 70<sup class="">th</sup> birthday</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-weight:normal" class=""><span class=""></span></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">We are entering an age when<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">lugging a heavy backpack up steep mountain
roads<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to get the undisturbed peace we crave for <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">is no longer so appealing,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">but<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">we are old enough to appreciate <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">what comes to us <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">as we surrender to idleness,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">during those precious moments<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">when the light falls through foliage,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">etching laceworks <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">on our wrinkled hands;<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">old enough <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to have learned the subtleties involved<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">in the art of reclining<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">and listening,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">listening,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to the lover bird,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to
the inner voice,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to
the perfection of self,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to
the song of creation.<span class=""></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">We may be too stiff to hike over passes<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">on narrow ledges overlooking abysses, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">or to crawl through cracks and crevasses <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">in order to find <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the hidden
waterfall,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the unexplored
paradise,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the infrequent
flower,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">but old enough to have created<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">an articulate garden that talks in a
language <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">we understand,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">and appreciate the modest beauty <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">within our reach.<span class=""></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">We are coming to a place<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">where the imperfections of a body<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">we used to inspect for flaws every morning<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">have become irrelevant in view of the
bigger picture:<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">does
it work?<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">And if it does work, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">what gratefulness, what joy.<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">And if it fails in some areas,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the adjustments we make<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">are so many opportunities<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">for lessons of wisdom.<span class=""></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">We are arriving at a stage<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">when visiting faraway places to see the
world’s wonders,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">on a very low budget,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">no longer tickles our sense of adventure,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">but we have tasted the supreme pleasure of
going into<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the vegetal
paradise<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">through a side portal<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">and reach <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the fleshy iridescence of petal, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">sepal,
<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">pistil
<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">and
stamen<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">as they become magnified, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">reducing us <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to the size <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">of a magnificent
bug,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">a
butterfly inebriated <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">with
the nectar of the gods.<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">Lured, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">like the flying
creatures,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">into the timeless
liquefaction of the senses,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">our self melts into the ecstasy <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">of being.<span class=""></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">We can experience this <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">every moment,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">it’s always there, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">at the tip of our
fingers, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">fostering an
appreciation <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">of the inconspicuous, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">the overlooked aspects of nature.<span class=""></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">It’s always there,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">in the beauty of
things imperfect, <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">impermanent and
incomplete<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">things modest and
humble,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">things
unconventional.<span class=""></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">We are coming to a time <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">when the great accomplishments <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">and activities<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">that justified our being<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">are no longer so
significant,<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">we look upon them with tenderness<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">as charming children with
many-a-great-dreams<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">and gently<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class=""><span class=""> </span><span class=""> </span>push them aside <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">to
make room<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">for
the only thing <span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">that
validates us:<span class=""></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2.5in; text-indent: 0.5in; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" class=""><i class=""><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">la joie de vivre</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt" class="">.</span><span class=""><span class=""></span></span></div>
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