Page 23 - July 2020 Courier

Freedom and the roo Island where I discover real isolation. Escaping the crowds, I
walk on the beach through a colony of sea lions. What a nice re-
laxing way to end the day, with deep red sun sets….
Art of Going Rogue Then I remembered, “May we think of freedom, not as the right

to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is
right.” (Peter Marshall). As Peloton users say, “it is not about the
By: Pat Patterson destination, it is about the ride.” Well, as I wake up, I realize my
ride has come to an end. I roll out of bed make some coffee and
I know what you are thinking “Where was Pat last month?” Well, peak out my window. Then I see my neighbors walking their
I was exploring the “New Normal” of our world. At home, like dogs in that early morning air. I too can rise to meet the morning!
all of us, I was peeking out the win- I throw on some clothes and meet the outside, a
dows wondering what it’s like out- little cool, quiet, clean lawns, and a very relaxing
side. I need a vacation from my re- walk. It is not so bad as I meet my neighbors
tirement stay-at-home order! First, I across the street. It won’t be long now. We’ll be
tried a thousand-piece puzzle that able to travel, shake hands instead of distance
lasted a week. Then I spruced up the waves. I know we are all staying at home be-
garden in the back yard: dirt, more cause we need to stay safe from Co-vid 19 and
plants, and drip system adjustments. we are all doing a good job. It’s our new normal.
There has got to be more!
In the future, we will be free to hug people again
I wondered about my future and The and go out and dance around. The Retreat, re-
Club at WestPark. “Everybody came member the Retreat, the nice pool with blue wa-
here with a Design-O-Life Personal ters and the warm golden sun? Remember all
Future Construction Kit. Not every- those smiling faces, card games, bocce ball,
body remembers where they put it,” Shannon planning trips and events for all of us!
Richard Bach. I haven’t seen mine for Remember Board meetings… well, now Zoom
some time. My motto is “Life tells in place of meetings is working better!
you nothing, it shows you every-
thing,” Richard Bach. Twilight comes We have a world that is an interesting place,
later each day, more time to dream sometimes good times and uncertain times. “Do
and take in the night air. It’s late now, not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.
dark, hazy, lazy z-z-z. It is time to All things break. And all things can be mended.
take my life and kick it into action. Freedom calls from an adven- Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So, go love inten-
ture flight to Mexico, warm nights, chilled drinks, dancing all tionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits
night… waking up by the ocean and the sound of waves crashing. in darkness for the light that is you,” L. R. Knost.
Wow! What a headache! As I wake to my “New Normal”, I know I have good, lifelong
That does not stop me. I am off to Ireland, exploring castles, long friends here at The Club at WestPark! Our pool and gym area
walks in Killarney shops at night, finding a pub playing Celtic will open as soon as the law will allow. I love our freedom, our
music that makes you dance, sing, and clog like the best of them! lifestyle, and… “Where did I put my Design-O-Life Personal Fu-
That’s not enough…a flight to Germany, it’s Oktoberfest. Find a ture Construction Kit? Have you seen it? Maybe my wife knows
pub playing the polka, sing, laugh, tell stories, cry, and dance! where it is….
Roll out the barrel and drink larger mugs of chilled beer until the
ships come into port. Wow! That was fun! Off to the Caribbean P.S. “Your highest right knows all futures. As you listen to its
on one of those cruise ships! We have the whole ship to our- whisper, you’ll find that the prize ahead is your own greatest
selves! You know all the other rogue freedom dreamers! More happiness,” Richard Bach, “Messiah’s Handbook,” 2004.
sun and pool time! More adventure on each Island we visit!
I have never been to Australia, so off I fly to the land down un- Disclaimer; The views and opinions expressed in the above arti-
der! I start off by snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. Wow! Look cle may not be the views or opinions of The Club at WestPark
at the colored fish, yellow, blue, and reds! I love the water and HOA.
floating along with all the wildlife and coral. Then I visit Kanga-

July 2020 Page 23