The Mystery of The Golden Shadow

Picture by John Keeley: Jenny Lake - Grand Teton National Park

" I Should be content

To look at a mountain

for what it is 

Not as a comment on my life."

- David Ignatow

" Be complete as the Father is 'complete."

Matt 5 : 48

" No thing is perfect"

  - Buddhist Saying

Inspiration:

It is said that Carl Jung suggested 

when we admire 

others  - their qualities , values 

and how they live their complete lives - it may

be because these qualities

exist  deep within us . 

However, those values 

may not be as developed 

or as complete as we would like them to be. 

The complete flourishing of the

particular values -

compassion, selflessness, collaboration, 

generosity ,

peacefulness, humility and others - 

has been described as - 

 "The Golden Shadow."

Sometimes we see this "shadow " in the most 

unlikely candidates.

The dark shadow contains what we don't want 

to be ;  the Golden Shadow contains what we don't 

yet know we could become.

The Writing:

The Mystery of The Golden Shadow

The speaker shared a story of a saintly woman 

that continues to be passed down among

wandering pilgrims : 

The woman held a pale, weak baby

as she made the beds for the poorest 

of the poor.

A pilgrim photographer asked ,

"Why are you holding caressing the baby as

you work.?"

The Mother Superior responded,

" The baby is most like going to die today,

and I want her to know

how much she is loved."

"Then why make the beds?", 

the inquirer asked. .

The nun smiled - 

"It is my job 

and I can do both."

A few say this is a mythical parable.

Yet those who hear -  sit still 

in a deep, reflective silence,

with tears of hope ...

Belief returns that...

The Golden Shadow is real.

- JF Sobecki

________________

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs 

and a Poem

October 1 , 2026 - listen 

(Click on link below for playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbP_xF_mRkw8&si=GV_0En741WbcsyPC

Coda: Sometimes I find a song or poem as kindling

to fuel the fire...Here are a couple I have used

( My wish for you is that "You 'live' until you die")

[click on the link ]

https://youtu.be/wSfnrL818mI?si=fbNEpCJIlNT_a2Zn

Release Control

https://youtu.be/6HdIEfWC0xA?si=zUx4vJNr8MQ3g2Ke

Whether you "believe" or not...this might be interesting:

* Research indicates that even with significant differences

the major religions and spiritual practices around the world 

they share the following common perspectives and themes:

- Compassion and love - how we treat others

- promote human welfare and reduce suffering

- Practice loving kindness all ways

- All life ( existence) is connected.

- A good life is measured by your kindness to others

- Seek truth, wisdom and understanding

- Be grateful , present and aware of each moment

- There is a higher purpose in life than materialism

- Service to and care of others, be selfless ( especially those 

   who cannot help themselves) 

"One day I will find the right words and they will be simple."

 - Jack Kerouac 

"If this is well written and to the point , that is what I desired, 

if it is poorly done , it was the best I could do." 

- 2 Maccabees 15:38-39 

AMDG 

Copyright 2026 JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved

Paracletes in Disguise

"Look at he birds of the air ;

they do not sow or reap or 

store away in barns , and yet the Heavenly Father 

feeds them..."

- Matt 6:26

"Even a sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest

for herself where she may have her young - a place near

your altar , Lord Almighty,,"

- Psalm 84;3

"A  bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings

     because it has a song."

    - Maya Angelou

Inspiration

At dawn on my balcony I drift away witnessing

Two birds in flight together....

Ornithologists suggest that two birds in flight 

instinctively bond, saving energy

traveling together , mutual protection ,

mating and finding places for rest and a home.

In a blink  of an eye geese in chevron flight

glide together overhead .

Some scientists suggest these

birds  have more than instinct and maybe

their intellect , mutual compassion and support

is something more than humans can comprehend.

The Writing:

Paracletes in Disguise

At first light over Kennebunkport

robins and larks take flight,

their simple songs  

do not subtract from

the sanctified silence.

A divine iridescence,

blessed paracletes,

glorified messengers

of inquisitive admiration.

as scriptures ponder their virtue.

Proclamations of gratitude,

under a warming glow -

No fear, no worry,

they are who they are 

the purpose is just to be.

Humbled insights spark intercessions 

witnessing  the divine favor. 

Franciscan monks' chants echo

harmonizing with the radiant chorus -

persistent mortal pilgrims adrift

 - in the magnificent cosmos.

- J.F. Sobecki

( Kennebunkport. , Maine)

------------

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs plus 

Poems and Writings

September 1 , 2026 - listen and read

(Click on link below for playlist)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHM5sUAxlLBs&si=pUw6PsjJDE_dm59u

The Wisdom of Geese

When you see geese flying along in V formation,

 one might consider what science has discovered 

as to why they fly that way.

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” 

for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, t

he whole flock adds 71% more flying range than 

if each bird flew alone. r.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, 

it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying

to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation 

to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird 

immediately in front.  

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates 

back into the formation and another 

goose flies at the point position.  

The geese in formation honk from behind encouraging

those up front to keep up their speed.  

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, 

two geese drop out of formation 

and follow their fellow member down 

to help provide protection. They stay with this member 

of the flock until he or she is either able to fly again or dies. 

Then they launch out on their own to rejoin another 

"V" formation of geese, continuing their journey.

- Adapted "Wisdom of Nature"

Coda: Listen to these beautiful Songbirds

Rest In Peace Dolly Parton and thank you.

"If. you want the rainbow, you gotta 

put up with the rain" - Dolly Parton

(Click link below)

https://youtu.be/o2XcBL6kWn8?si=ARjjv3WtpsY0QQjO

Happy Birthday G !

Whether you "believe" or not...this might be interesting:

* Research indicates that even with significant differences

the major religions and spiritual practices around the world 

they share the following common perspectives and themes:

- Compassion and love - how we treat others

- promote human welfare and reduce suffering

- Practice loving kindness all ways

- All life ( existence) is connected.

- A good life is measured by your kindness to others

- Seek truth, wisdom and understanding

- Be grateful , present and aware of each moment

- There is a higher purpose in life than materialism

- Service to and care of others, be selfless ( especially those 

   who cannot help themselves) 

"One day I will find the right words and they will be simple."

 - Jack Kerouac 

"If this is well written and to the point , that is what I desired, 

if it is poorly done , it was the best I could do." 

- 2 Maccabees 15:38-39 

AMDG 

Copyright 2026 JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved

The Sondering

 "Treat and deal all. creation 

as it is and not how we  expect 

or desire it to be.

Treat others as you 

want to be treated."

- Unknown

"To sonder is the profound realization that  every person we see has

a life as rich , complex and vivid as our own even if we know 

nothing about it." 

- John Koenig

"The beginning of love is the will to let those we love to be perfectly

themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit to our own image.

If in loving them we do not love we they are, but only their potential

likeness to ourselves, then we do to love them : we only love the reflection 

of ourselves we find in them."

- Thomas Merton

"No one , no thing is perfect"

- Buddhist Saying

Zues's Law .. ( Xenios)

Treat all strangers and guests ( every person) with respec

and hospitality. Remember there is a sacred bond between us all.

(One never knows if the other person is a divinity

in disguise.)

Inspiration

It was interesting to read that the director of the latest film 

version of The Odyssey recently observed that Homer’s—

and the early Greeks’—notion of Zeus’ Law suggests that, 

with every breath we take, we are, in many ways, throwing 

ourselves upon the mercy and kindness of strangers.

Zeus’ Law, which called for treating all strangers 

as honored guests, is reminiscent of the Golden Rule 

and of many spiritual and religious traditions.

The Greeks stressed the possibility that a stranger 

might be a god or goddess in disguise.

I was reminded of the yoga practice of Anjali Mudra 

and the greeting Namaste:

“I bow to the divine in you.”

The Writing:

The Sondering

Do stars glow in the night sky
for their own benefit?

Have navigators and astrologers
simply imagined that the heavenly bodies
have some purpose, rhyme, or reason?

Birds sing their welcome in gratitude,
celebrating the new dawn.

Clouds clear the way for the sun
to illuminate and warm
all creation below.

Winds carry seeds while providing
lift for winged friends,
and cool breezes help vessels
make their way.

The universe seems aware
of the perfect imperfection
of all creation—
interdependent, interconnected.

Is it all just some random accident?

Leaves fall as flowers sprout,
each fulfilling its contribution
to the air and the well-being
of ask who wander, sentient
and non-sentient alike.

Some contribute more,
but even the lesser is needed.

Everything has a history.
Everyone the same.

Awakening to the differences—
to the possibilities of how every piece,
everything, and everyone
plays a role,
sometime, somehow,
and somewhere—
illuminates and fuels
our own authentic selves.

Is this the time in my journey,
an invitation
to spend less time judging
and more time sondering
in quiet contemplation,
allowing the hidden truths
around us and within us
to unfold?

— JF Sobecki

------------

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs plus

August 1 , 2026 - listen

Click on the link below .

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDutwZe03Td0&si=wA5uP0Pvt0FlaaFt

Coda: Remembering  a treasure: R.I. P. Glen Hansard

Thanks to Glen for the gift of and passion for music always 

and being authentic in helping and inspiring others.

There have been those I admired who has passed on and 

I was/am sad . I only knew him through his music, his values 

and his energy .This man/artist left so soon. ...

Some people some how become part of your story- 

"Airim uaim thu' "

( Gaelic translation - " I feel you missing from me")

(click the link below)

Glen Hansard - The Parting Glass

 

https://youtu.be/sCZcJHAcAZ4?si=qEBH61Q_XRkTf8eA

* 8/4/2008 - Celebrating in gratitude the 18th year anniversary

  of my heart surgery and a rebirth 

  and the beginning of The Second Chance Dance Blog

Whether you "believe" or not...this might be interesting:

* Research indicates that even with significant differences

the major religions and spiritual practices around the world 

they share the following common perspectives and themes:

- Compassion and love - how we treat others

- promote human welfare and reduce suffering

- Practice loving kindness all ways

- All life ( existence) is connected.

- A good life is measured by your kindness to others

- Seek truth, wisdom and understanding

- Be grateful , present and aware of each moment

- There is a higher purpose in life than materialism

- Service to and care of others, be selfless ( especially those 

   who cannot help themselves) 

"One day I will find the right words and they will be simple."

 - Jack Kerouac 

"If this is well written and to the point , that is what I desired, 

if it is poorly done , it was the best I could do." 

- 2 Maccabees 15:38-39 

AMDG 

Copyright 2026 JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved