Guest Post: Janne bala nas ma btindas

Posted on by Live & Learn
DK: “Beautiful photo, shame it was marred by a Human.”

Dear all,

I was inspired, actually triggered by a comment from David on one of Cara’s Cove Island Photos yesterday morning. It’s that photo above, and his caption below it that he shared in the comment section. The photo was taken by our very own Cara Denison, another outstanding Cove Island Park photographer.

This is not just any human. This is our human, David himself.
The photo was not marred. The photo is whole because he is in it.
Where I come from, we have a saying, “Janne bala nas ma btindas.”
This translates to “Heaven is not worth stepping into if it had no humans in it.”

… and again, this is not just any human. This is our Human.

Side story: A few weeks ago, while I was riding the elevator at work, a coworker looked at my badge and asked, “Are you the Sawsan from International?” “Yes, I am.” I looked at their badge and saw that they were one of the doctors I had worked with for years but never met. My office is on the ground floor, theirs is on the 2nd. For three years, we never met. When things happen, they seem to come in clusters. Within a few weeks, I met a few more individuals in person that I had been working with for years and had not met in person.  

Every time I met someone in person that I had known for years, a softness settled on me like a fog blanket. My soul needed the reminder that this is another human. I tend to forget.

Kicks and giggles aside, I come here to this blog to be inspired and, in this crazy world we live in, to feel human again.

And every photo by Cara documenting the human behind Live & Learn is Whole.

Now I know DK that you prefer no humans, solitude, and silence. The fact is that the core of your blog is the human experience. Sorry, you can’t always be the observer! 

Here’s another one of Cara’s favorite photos of DK at Cove Island Park. Cara said she’ll explain why she chose this photo in the comments section.

Sawsan.

97 thoughts on “Guest Post: Janne bala nas ma btindas”

  3. Somehow I felt that this post was from Sawsan, before I saw her name. Perhaps the way she felt about connection to people she meant – the awareness of softening around the edges; how she wrote of you with such affection and perspective. She has your number, Dave. Gorgeous photo and gorgeous writing And yet again, I need a love button

  6. “Now I know DK that you prefer no humans, solitude, and silence”.

    Yikes. I miss this memo. Whoops!

    I chose the photo because if you notice, DK is not taking a picture in it. He is quietly absorbing the view around him. With his minds eye, and not his lens. It’s a rare sight.

    The second reason goes back to a Live & Learn post from June 30th.
    Walking. With a Sign?

    Let me know when you “see it”. <3

    Awesome post Sawsan!

    DK…. Pretty soon the woman will have taken this blog over!

          1. I lead by example. We all make mistakes. Some more than others.

          2. I stand firmly by what I said. Every woman is all of them. And all the women are in each one.

    3. It takes a brave one. The universe sent us a brave one for the tough job. You’re in his minefield.

  8. smiling! I‘m here for the human interaction, for the sharing of views and opinions of some value, for the banter and teasing too. many thanks to all ‚working‘ here, for feeling, thinking, challenging, it‘s a good place to be!

  9. “Every time I met someone in person that I had known for years, a softness settled on me like a fog blanket. My soul needed the reminder that this is another human.”

    I have experienced this many times Sawsan. I worked with people all over the world, and when I had the opportunity to meet some of them in person, it was a JOY. There’s something special about being able to picture the person (and hear their voice) in your mind as you work with them remotely. Meeting them in person, even if only once, improved my connection with them immensely. It’s a fascinating thing.

        1. And yet in your very first comment above you agree with Dale’s praise for Sawsan!

          I consider this to be evidence that “the battle of the sexes” that is a continuous thread throughout this blog, is done (as it should be) in jest, and with respect, admiration, (and dare I say love?) from all parties involved.

          1. It will be done the day I die! I own this thread and it’s not going anywhere.

          6. You will have to interpret it as you see fit Dave 🙂

            My interpretation is that the potential for a battle is a constant threat in this blog… And there is no discrimination of any sort going on. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US MUST BE CONSTANTLY ON GUARD!

            (Laughing quietly to myself.)

          7. Good one Paul. But I’m feeling you skootching over on the Sawsan & Her Apprentice side. You are very close to the de-militarized zone.  Tread cautiously. Those women can be so devious you won’t know what happened until it’s too late.

          8. I interpret this as you preparing (yet again) to go to battle with me LOL! You are very capable of being devious yourself my friend! 🙂

            My defenses are on the highest level of alert! 😁

          12. Having said that Dave, I am always grateful for your support and counsel!

            The problem is that from time to time some random person tosses a huge smoke grenade into the environment, and I can’t tell what the heck is going on!

  11. As Mimi said, it was clear that this was a post from “our Sawsan” (thank you Dale) just a few phrases in. Though I have never met her (nor many others who frequent this blog), I consider you all family. I would be delighted to share a drink or a meal or a book with so many of you. Mimi is one of my dearest friends on this earth (and we have met in person, many times), but I would not have had the blessing of her in my life were it not for DK and this blog. This is a special, special place, and I love that Cara captured DK doing what he does so well…witnessing on our behalf. 💕💕

    1. Imagine all of the L & L heads at one table. I know I’m the newest member, but this is a fun idea to entertain.

      So what I hear is that the taking pictures of DK must continue.

      Assignment shall be executed. (DK I’m serving up the vocabulary for you here) …..

      1. Hold on to your britches there Junior. You aren’t a card carrying member yet. Still on probation, and given your shennigans,it could be a while.

        1. 👍💕 (Lori…Your gift for writing… No doubt the result of a ton of study and hard work…and possibly a genetic gift of some sort… will never cease to amaze me.)

          I hope you never stop writing Lori! When you “apply pen to paper”, I believe the universe rejoices! And as we all know, we need all the positive and beauty we can get! ❤️💕

          Blessings – Paul

          1. Thank you so very much for your kind words, Paul! You have *truly* made my day! The writing is a labor of love (and in those moments when my muse isn’t present, it is DECIDEDLY more labor than love. 😉)

      1. That’s cards in your banking world. We’re on a different plane.
        I see where the issue is now. You have difficulty switching planes.

          1. Thanks Dave. Well done!

            However, you removed a “comment fragment” that referenced me and something about “planes”.

            If I get to choose my “plane”, I want the following:

            Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

  14. Love the photos, Cara…Sawson the post great 🙂

    The second photo of DK, he is within the expanse of Awe…he’s making a memory and holding it in reverent joy…

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