Friends –

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and figuring out the best way to proceed is fraught with error and confusion. One can try carrying on with the routine, but often the same old thing now comes out all wrong. Or, one could say, 'No Cigar'. It can feel like a bit of a failure.

Under these circumstances, you must pardon yourself and learn a new way. I read a book written by Apollo Ono about how he changed his life following the one of being a gold medal winner at speed skating – which lasted from his teen years into adulthood. Inevitably that had to end, and doing something different required what he called, a "Hard Pivot".

I'm at one of life's pivots right now, so instead of being disappointed in this painting --which is far from my original plan -- I will not say 'No Cigar'. Instead, I give it a 'Cigar'. And Cigar could end up being worthwhile, if someone would like to have it in exchange for a very humble contribution to a public health nonprofit.

Stay well.

Margie Lopez Read

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