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Charles Bridge Prague

The Charles Bridge spans the Vitava River of Prague, Czech Republic. Designer Peter Parler was also the architect of similarly impressive structures such as Saint Vitus Castle, located a short walk uphill from the bridge, and the Frauenkirche of Nuremburg, Germany. Bohemian legend purports the initial stone of the bridge was set by Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, himself, at a specific date and time where the numeric values form a palindrome—September 7, 1357 5:31 A.M. (1357 9/7 5:31).


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Monastic Reflection upon the Spanish Steps

Spanish Steps Monastic

Unknown to me until the year 2023, the reason for this assembly on October 7, 2015 is renovation of the Spanish Steps initiated the very next day (2015-10-08) and not reopened to the public until a year later. The 138 steps built of travertine stone in 1725 and designed by Francesco de Sanctis, ascends a slope terminating with the Trinità dei Monti church of Rome.

Reflect and focus your gaze.

In stillness take a step and ascend.

Anticipate the goal, but savor the process.

Find joy in the ritual.

With each moment faithfully climb, rebuild, and renovate.

The journey lengthy, but destination assured.

 –amh (2023)

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“...there are three times, a present of past things, a present of present things, and a present of future things…
…the present of past things is memory;
the present of present things is direct perception;
the present of future things is expectation.”
– Augustine, Confessions V, 20

“...the mind which regulates this process, performs three functions, those of expectation, attention, and memory.”

 – Augustine, Confessions V, 30

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Tools

Work always exists.
Endless numbers of tools exist for various utility to address a given task.
Appropriate tools suited for a purpose.

Tools which separate, bind, store, disintegrate, move, combine, connect, clean, and measure.
Tools for transportation, education, protection, to heal, harm, and repair.
Tools which allow one to create, build, order, cook, write, illustrate, and trade.
Tools to create music, shelter, and textiles.
Tools which allow for utility transmission, illumination, sharing, comfort, leisure, and agriculture.
Tools which allow one to hunt and gather, distribute, demolish, communicate, build strength, and eat.

Tools with a system of parts which work together to perform a task, called machines, keep time, sense, deny and grant access, and manufacture.
Machines, both analog and digital, allow for scientific inquiry, health, and communication.

The foundational six classical tools—the lever, wheel / axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, screw—allowed one to hold, handle, lift, move, displace, separate, and bind.

On another level, tools are systems or processes wielded to build relationship, allow one to cope with life, advance human flourishing, share, and improve life.

It is a great blessing which God graciously gives to allow humanity the capability to develop tools and systems, and carry both possessions, knowledge, and wisdom.

What tools would you prioritize to carry on your person, hold in a small bag?
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Need this illustration as a reminder of the tools critical for you to have at your disposal?
Do these tools resonate with your values?


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