My Life Would Depend On the Morning Sun

Two things of note in my job-related Inbox this morning.

1. Via Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology Newsletter:

ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, BABEMBA STYLE
"In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he is placed in the center of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and everyone in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused. Then each person in the tribe speaks to the accused, one at a time, recalling the good things the person has done in his life. Every experience that can be recalled with detail and accuracy is recounted. All his positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully. This ceremony often lasts for several days. At the end, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe."
-Jack Kornfield, The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace

At last, we've found some real diplomats, the kind we might want to be when we grow up. And speaking of way-grown:

2. At last, the note from Julienne I've waited for with baited breath:

Hello! Last week, [baby] graced us with his presence, weighing 9 pounds, 9 ounces! He had a rough week starting with an emergency Cesarian birth due to a placental abruption, and spent several days in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit. The night before we were discharged from the hospital, [my partner] and I had our first "up all night" as new parents!

We came home a few days ago and now everyone is much happier for it. He is a happy, sweet boy and we are excited. OK, I am going back to bed.

Just over two years ago, Julienne appeared as if by magic, in time to be introduced in Poor Impulse Control's second tentative entry written by me. Paulie Gonzalez, disguised as me, wrote that first entry. Neither of us has a mustache so, you know, you can't tell us apart online.

Anyway, Julienne found me through a series of highly improbable occurrences and one breathtaking case of mistaken identity. At the time, she was a strong single woman who thought she was done with men who weren't Jimmy Choo. Today, she sent baby pictures. For Julienne, it is the kind of good fortune she did not imagine possible. Such, we are reminded, is life.

In honor of our new human friend, how about simple steps for all of us toward a greener world?