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

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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

Moon Phases

July Buck Moon

"Cold-hearted orb that rules the night,

Removes the colors from our sight.

Red is gray and yellow white

But we decide which is right

And which is an illusion."

- The Lament ( Nights in White Satin), 

   Moody Blues

"Enlightenment is like the moon reflected

on the water. The moon does not get wet,

nor is the water broken. Although its light

is wide and great , the moon is reflected even in a puddle

an inch wide."

- Zen Master Elhei Dogen

"I am but a finger pointing to the moon. Do not look at me;

look at the moon." 

- Author unknown

Inspirations  

A lifetime ago, sitting in the dark night, gazing at the 

magical, mysterious glow of the brilliant ball

illuminating the sky ,  I didn't know what to think-

so I  prayed.

The relationship with the moon began.

He was there at the end of a day of confusion,

a day of stress or grief and even days of peace, love and joy.

Some mornings he was visible through the growing brightness 

of the the dawn. 

Somedays clouds would hide its presence,

but I was learning the truth.

The belief that this orb was more than an accident

hanging in the sky began to grow. 

He was a in me and me in him.

(Astrologists, mythologists as well a theologians , navigators of

the earth and the mind, philosophers, poets and scientists

 have studied and tried to comprehend

our relationship to the moon and its purpose.).

A brief history of the moon.

* 4.6 billions year ago a solar nebula collapsed and much of the material

fell forming a young sun

* Much of the dust became rocks 

* Some rocks were big and became planets (protoplanets)

   - One of these became the earth

* The young earth was struck by Mars-sized protoplanet

* The impact of this collision produced the Earth's moon.

* Over a billion years, a remarkable relationship developed between

   the Earth and its moon.* 

* Their nearly perfect alignment has allowed the moon to

   influence tides, ecosystems and perhaps our observations 

   (including werewolves), while  philosophers, astrologers, poets and scientists 

   continue to study the orb's influence on life on earth.

It is written that  the moon's  distance and the angle of the 

his orbit are finely balanced that even the modest changes could

place Earth's long-term stability in serious jeopardy. 

There are multiple scenarios describing how changes 

in that relationship might affect our planet 

No thing lasts.  

Some suggest that the forthcoming July "Buck Moon" 

carries sacred and psychological significance -

- 'shedding and renewal, 

- regeneration,

- inner strength

and deeper spiritual grounding.

Is all of this really some magnificent

accidental coincidence and speculation ? 

Our earthly and celestial origins - mutual.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that 

this connection and wonder  continues  ....

The Writing: 

Moon Phases

Midnight companion

shining through the black heavenly shroud.

Celestial consoler , 

dark-sky influencer, 

intervener..

Perpetual listener 

and spark igniter -

flame of truth,

 subconscious liberator.

Hemingway's conviction:

  " The night is for rest" 

Debunked!

The "I am" wakes in the dark night

The universe's cathedral illuminated

Waves roll.

The reflection glides-

selfless phases 

for every time,

For every thing .

Who am I without you?

Who are you without one 

to receive your glow 

while guiding the tides?

Without this planet

you would not exist.

Without your presence

 - I am not .

- JF Sobecki

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

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs plus

July 1 , 2026 -

For your listening pleasure and contemplation:

Click the link below

( Click on the link below to listen and be )

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8FrnVEQMJC6dJTMsRGJl3yBWtvRc8MK&si=FtOit8r7YXHB_3k8

Coda:

One more short reflection and prayer

https://youtu.be/S0d9ck3sRw8?si=rq06XF-k3xwBhNM4

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