Royce Shook

 In the poetry of life, the dance unfolds, A burning violin, a tale to be told. Dance me to your beauty, an enchanting embrace, In the rhythm of kindness, a harmonious grace.   Through the panic of life, let kindness guide, A dance that soothes, like a tranquil tide. Gather me safely in your compassionate arms, In the dance of empathy, where kindness warms.   Lift me as an olive branch, a symbol of peace, In the dance of benevolence, worries cease. Be my homeward dove, soaring above, In the dance of generosity, boundless love.   To the end of love, let the dance extend, A timeless waltz, a... Continue Reading

In the comedy of life, kindness takes the stage, A thread so soft, it’s like a comedic sage. Intertwining with actions in a comical dance, Creating patterns, a laughter-filled trance.   It’s gentle like a joke whispered in the ear, Yet remarkably resilient, spreading cheer. A tapestry of humour, woven with grace, Kindness adds layers, a smile on every face.   With each act, a punchline in the grand show, A jest of compassion that continues to grow. Indelible marks left on hearts, so divine, As kindness becomes the punchline of time.   It’s the soft chuckle of a helping hand, A... Continue Reading

In the symphony of life, a catalogue of ‘afters’ unfolds, A melody of moments, precious and untold. Navigating the score, with choices to make, Wisdom realized, not to let moments forsake.   The coffee grows cold, a subtle metaphor, For time slipping away, knocking on the door. Priorities dance, a shifting ballet, In the rhythm of life, they constantly sway.   Promises, like notes, can be easily lost, In the hustle and bustle, the price is the cost. The symphony plays on, a relentless stream, Yet, the echoes of broken vows haunt our dreams.   Children grow, like the crescendo’s... Continue Reading

The tapestry of life is such that moments and memories are intertwined in the same way threads are woven. Weavers, we give ourselves a role in the story of our lives. Every thread represents our choices, who we really are, and how much we have been able to leave out on the canvase of life. Imagine an expansive horizon surrounded by a loom that encompasses almost every experience of which you might think. This loom also allows us to weave vibrant threads such as joy, kindness and love which light up even the darkest corners transforming ordinary things into masterpieces. In this loom, there are echoes... Continue Reading

 In the mosaic of olden days, reflections unfold, The rearview mirror of memories, a tale to be told. Highs and lows painted on the canvas of time, A masterpiece of life, an intricate rhyme.   Laughter and tears, like brushstrokes so bold, In the gallery of recollections, stories are scrolled. People, once vivid, in my journey they played, A tapestry of connections and memories laid.   Some departed, like whispers in the wind, Time’s gentle teacher, lessons chime within. No rewind button in life’s relentless track, A realization dawns, no going back.   Parents, like anchors, in the... Continue Reading

 A song by Al Stewart called Time Passages was playing in the background and these thoughts leapt to my mind. Enjoy. In the tapestry of time, I sit and reflect, From the barely started day to the evening’s sweet sunset. Mondays to Fridays, a seamless blend, Years passing swiftly, like a transient wind.   Forty, fifty, sixty years unfold, A lifetime’s story in moments told. Highs and lows, laughter and tears, People departed, echoes in my ears.   Parents, friends, their absence profound, Realizing too late, that time has its bounds. Yet, amidst losses, a spirit to find, To embrace... Continue Reading

The great and powerful Wizard of Oz, led by pronouncement and staying behind a curtain. It is best to remember, leadership isn’t about pulling levers from behind the curtain. It’s about stepping out, engaging, and inspiring.  The thought emphasizes that effective leadership goes beyond simply manipulating things from behind the scenes; it involves active engagement, visibility, and the ability to inspire others.  Leading by Example: A great leader doesn’t just delegate tasks but actively participates in the work. For instance, if a team is working on a challenging project, a leader... Continue Reading

The difference in approach between actively shaping your life and passively waiting for life to unfold is crucial in determining how when looking back over one’s life. The choice interprets the outlook on the journey. In retirement, you are in control and you can decide if the journey through retirement will be shaped by you or by others.  Choosing to Go, Do, and Be: This approach involves actively engaging with life, making decisions, taking risks, and pursuing opportunities. When you look back at your life, you’ll likely find a sense of empowerment and control. The uncanny events,... Continue Reading

Dealing with difficult situations can be stressful, here are some ideas to encourage you to cultivate a mindset of gratitude, empathy, and detachment from external influences. Handling Upsetting Situations: Instead of reacting defensively, the advice is to acknowledge and thank the person for highlighting a dependency on their approval. This promotes self-awareness and encourages one to reassess expectations and attachments. Being Disregarded: Encouraging understanding by reflecting on one’s own past behavior fosters empathy. It promotes the idea that everyone is on their unique journey,... Continue Reading

I came across this saying “Don’t be afraid to go where you’ve never gone and do what you’ve never done, because both are necessary to have what you’ve never had and be who you’ve never been”.  Ir got me thinking.  As you approach retirement, it’s important to embrace the idea that stepping outside your comfort zone is not only helpful but necessary for personal growth and satisfaction in your new phase of life. The notion of “Don’t be afraid to go where you’ve never gone and do what you’ve never done” carries deep... Continue Reading