Suggested reading; two books:

*”The Unbearable Lightness of Being” Milan Kundera (referenced in comment(s).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unbearable_Lightness_of_Being

*”Grace and Grit” Ken Wilbur
Nonfiction memoir; shortly after Ken married Treya; she was diagnosed with Breast cancer. It’s a toughy
Ken is an author and leading trans-personal psychologist. (spiritual dynamics)

I don’t know what that means; it’s just in my notes :-0

To be clear; I don’t know anything about his spirituality or philosophy, and am unimpressed with his web-site. Ken’s most well-known work may be, “A Short History of Everything.”

I Read this book in my final semester of undergrad as English Major at George Mason University in course ENG 360 Special Topics in Literature; Altered States. (proff. said had given “A” so far to every student who chose this book from reading list. I got the “A,” or “W”; if you will

Verily I will present a series of textual work dedicated to legacy of professor, Dr. Karlson, in celebration of his life and work as well as the 40th Anniversary of the Summer of Love; that draws from my work in the course in addition to Dr. Karlson’s work in conceptualizing, desiging, and teaching the course as It’s gonna be good. Will post link.

Break a Leg,

Jeff

I called area chiropractor Dr. Nagel today after about a year hiatus to schedule with him. He sounded kind of down. Must be a friend.

From your description of Joe; think when the world looses an individual like Joe, it falls to the rest of us to pick up the slack; and then some.

John Lamb a Mentor and Great Friend; similarly in prime, Tall, Handsome, Loving, Inclusive, and 40, was killed in a bicycle accident out one evening on a Spring breeze-through his neighborhood in 2005. Just a little bike ride. Then he’s gone.

I’m always reminded of John because I keep his card in my wallet; sometimes in the see-through part so I see it every time I open wallet. I keep a note scotch taped on lap-top; “John Lamb Style.”

Me and John are actors. That’s where we met; on-set. John embraced me; brought me in and along from moment one. John is the guy to get a case of bottled water and a second case of munchies, then goes up and down length of the bus that serves as “Extras Holding.” He offers and gives water and sustenance to each and every person.

This is important on set because production may not break for a meal for hours, and the work is often physically demanding; standard work day on a film being 12 hours; often 14; can easily go 15,16 hours or more.

I mention all this to draw focus to the importance of this gesture. It’s not casual. John had a profound, positive effect on the world around him. John used love and compassion as his primary way-of-being with the world; others. This is John Lamb style.

The note on my laptop is a directive to myself to try to live my life in this fashion. John actively engaged people and lightened their load. The little stuff makes the largest differences (I remember Ted writing on this on past occasion of cross country business travel expedition.)

Surprisingly; John’s death enables and empowers me. Do it today; don’t be afraid. You might be gone tomorrow. Strive for fearlessness. Take your next step, and then the next step, and the next; begin to run if you can. They want that for you. Also,get up; help out.

I think the reason for this empowerment rather than sadness has to do with the way John was Present and Available; Moment-to-Moment; Living in the Now. That may be the key to John Lamb Style. There’s just not that much that really matters. One, two, a few things; the unbearable lightness of being (to borrow a phrase from Milan Kundera.)

The stuff we usually are thinking matters just doesn’t. It’s some kind of trickery played on ourselves made up in the tumultuous ocean of consciousness that ebbs then flows, then ebbs, then flows again; the this-or-that/one-or-zero/on-or-off/inward-focus-submerged-in-the-subjective-mind, or outward-looking-perspective/Love, or Fear. (“Outward Looking Perspective” I got from Ted; during a talk he gave to a group of Business Leaders

It’s one of those things you have heard throughout your life and is just something that people say that you have heard repeatedly; rhetoric; until you conceptualize it for yourself. Then; it’s a revelation. It’s not complicated; it’s simple. (Got that one from friend Chris

I think the spark that enables this kind of personal conceptualization, that lights the fire of the final burn is someone putting it down to you in a way that allows you to work with it; much in the same way as area LCSW and career counselor Dr. Patricia Morgan was finally able to put the traits of introversion and extraversion down to me in a way that sparked my fire to enable Jeff’s conceptualization of what it is we are talking about.

Looks like we got some work to do.

I first think to cut some from this post; but in the spirit of inclusion; leave intact

Thank you John.
Thank you Joe.

Our son was born on his oldest daughter’s birthday and attended preschool with her. We were neighbors and friends. We always respected the Cassella family for their ready smiles and kind words. Sadly, until his death, we did not know how supportive and giving he was to his community throughout his personal and professional life. That alone speaks volumes about Joe Cassella. The whole family is in our prayers.

Paul, Trish and Patrick Blake

Words can’t express my grattitude for all of your efforts over this last year. People like Joe don’t come along often enough, and it is hard to make sense of such a tragic and untimely passing.

Joe changed my life almost 5 years ago, when I came to him looking for a career change. Not only did he allow me the oppurtunity to join his team at Elite Fitness concepts as a trainer, but a few years later he trusted me to become his business partner. My quality of life has changed greatly because of it.

On my last vist to see Joe, as he lay in his bed fighting for his life, he gathered enough energy to ask me for pictures of my newborn son. I was so moved that Joe could even think of something like that at a time like this…but that was Joe. He was a family man, a role model, and an inspiration to us all. I will miss my friend dearly.

Your words are powerful……Joe has that effect on people. He was a great cousin and Godfather to my family. The whole family loved Joey for the simple way he said and did things, however, most have no idea how powerful, supporting and loving he was to the community he worked and lived in. He wanted to do many more things in life and somehow I believe he’ll get it done.

Thank you for the kind words….I know you and friends are hurting. We all will never forget Joey. Peace