The Potential Within Us All: A Moment With Bill Reflection
The Cocoon
There are dangers beyond those hills; fierce creatures and bloodthirsty savages, eager to tear your flesh and leave you as so much carrion on the sun-drenched valley floor. You must not risk it, boy, for surely horrors will rain down upon you and leave you a distant memory to those who once you knew. Cast aside those foolish dreams of far horizons and majestic mysteries; they are but siren songs that lure you to your death. Yes boys and girls, there are dangers beyond those hills.
And for you others, man was not meant to fly. Far too much weight you imbeciles; the aerodynamics are all wrong; no uplift exists sufficient to raise two-hundred pounds of dead weight into the heavens. Flap with foolishness and attempt in vain to catch the updraft, for all that awaits you is an unceremonious verification of physics that will leave you bent, broken, bleeding and lifeless. No boys and girls, man was not meant to fly.
You are safe here now so hush. Cast aside those foolish thoughts and nestle among those of us who seek the comfort of conformity and the blessed peace of the mundane. There is safety in numbers here, and although certainly not exciting by any means there is a great deal to be said for the mind-numbing utopia of the bland.
This man understood the joy of living life to the fullest
But There Is Always One
With eyes fixed upon a limitless horizon they are willing to venture further than the length of their sight, stretching their reach beyond their beginnings, gambling that there must be more, there has to be more, than the embracing of the status quo. They spread their wings while others are totally unaware of the existence of those wings, and with wings spread they race for the precipice and leap into the air. Often they crash, but each time they rise to try once more, and once more after that, and again, again, leaping, crashing, healing, only to leap again….until…..
Soaring alone on that threatening wind, pain awaits them below and the joy of infinity calls them from above, spiraling they go on a heated lift, backs arched, heads lifted, in hopes of catching just one glimpse of the gods of lore. Be fearless now, for you are so close….go boldly now, for you have broken your bonds….
Circling and diving as they test the limits of this newfound freedom, casting aside reality, embracing illusions, blowing apart the accepted ways of thinking, these are the seekers, the risk-takers, those who do not understand or accept anything that aims to place limitations upon others. Tell them they cannot do something and they will spend every waking moment to prove you wrong. Explain to them the restrictions of physics and they will tell you to stuff your slide rule. They are propelled by an engine of faith; their fuel is hope and their transmission a series of gear sets comprised of restlessness and dissatisfaction.
They are among us now; few in number for sure; misunderstood often most definitely; and absolutely essential if we are to advance as a species.
Perhaps You Know One
He is the little first grader who is convinces that a square peg will fit in a round hole, and makes it his life’s mission to prove that anything is possible.
She is the fifteen-year old poet who can’t imagine life without the beauty of words. She would rather write sonnets than hang at the Mall with friends.
He is the neighborhood daredevil. He has never seen a tree he could not scale, a creek he could not cross, or a curb he could not jump with his racing bike. “Life is to be lived” he says and he lives it to the fullest daily.
She is the ten-year old who takes apart your microwave because there are questions she needs answered, and she knows instinctively that the best education is experience. She sees no reason why the world’s next great discovery should not be hers.
They are millions in number and they are the game-changers of the future. New music, new art, new experiments and new formulas, all grist from their mental mills for us to enjoy and benefit from and where, oh where, would we be without them?
Watch and learn
Not One Moment Wasted
100,000 heartbeats per day; over 35,000,000 heartbeats per year; each one counts, of course, for the heart is our engine propelling us through life….but how many of those heartbeats are lived to the fullest in a lifetime?
For those mentioned above, each heartbeat builds upon the last and is the foundation for the next, and each heartbeat is essential if their dreams are to be recognized, and they plunge forward, squeezing every ounce of life out of life, for they know that to do less is to cheat themselves of an opportunity all have but few utilize.
Yes, an opportunity all have, and therein lies a secret we are all told at birth but rarely act upon…..we have nearly unlimited potential.
Momma rocks us in her hap and places gentle, loving kisses upon our heads, and we hear the words whispered to us, you are wonderful, you are beautiful, you will be deliriously successful, the horizons are limitless, and we smile and coo and for sure we believe those words, and visions of grandeur entertain us as childhood turns into the teen years, and…..adulthood…..and the gentle, loving kisses and the whispered words are no more, replaced by harsh reality and a suspicion that perhaps those whispered words were lies……
Or a worse realization, that those whispered words were true but we dropped the proverbial ball and allowed our potential to wither and die a slow, agonizing death.
We wasted our most precious gift.
The Choice Can Still Be Made
How much time do you have left? The fact is you do not know. Today? A month? Ten years?
Is there enough time left? Is there enough time left to take your square peg and start finding a way to make it fit in the round hole? Is there enough time left to climb one more tree, take apart one more microwave, or write one more sonnet? Is there enough time left to realize your potential?
Of course there is, starting now, but will you begin? Will you pick up that proverbial ball, dribble it between your legs and go for the slam dunk, or sit on the sidelines wishing the star of the game looked like you?
There are dangers beyond those hills; fierce creatures and bloodthirsty savages, eager to tear your flesh and leave you as so much carrion on the sun-drenched valley floor. To risk that kind of figurative dismemberment takes bravery. To push aside the past, silence the inner voices, and grab that which was yours by birthright takes fortitude the likes of which you may not even know you have…but you do have it….and you must use it….or risk losing it forever.
You have one chance. This lifetime is that chance. Can you see the limitless horizon, or is your vision blocked by the events of the past?
2014 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)...dedicated to the love of my life....Bev
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Comments
AUTHORTireless, you summarized it perfectly my friend. Thank you for your kind words and have a great weekend.
Square holes, round pegs we all are. Square holes are filled with those who chose to build their roundness into squares. The learn and create until they slide into the square hole and find meaning in life. The other who the world call normal are like lemmings. They all do the same things, look the same and sound the same. They feel normal because they think that's as good as it gets. You are a great encouragement to many, Bill Holland, keep up the great work.
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I'm a patient man, Deb. :)
Billy, I am on my way. Just hold onto your hat...
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I'm happy to hear that, Dianna! Thank you!
You really are helping us to soar, Bill!
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I know you are, Mathira, and I support you 100%...thank you!
billy, it is true we do not know our true potential because we do not try. Very inspirational and meant a lot to me as I am trying hard to succeed.
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Thank you so much Anna! I hope all is well with you and as always I appreciate you stopping by.
There is a lot of passion in your words and fire in your soul. Potential sometimes just needs a little encouragement to bloom.
Your lovely words for Bev at the end of the hub made me smile. :)
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Seafarer, any friend of Buscaglia's is a friend of mine. What a beautiful human being he was. We could use a few more like him right now.
As for your kind words...thank you very much. I enjoyed writing this one. :)
This hub is pure poetic prose....so awesome that I shared it to the far reaches of my internet connections!
It can take a lifetime for some to figure out who they really are....it has taken me almost half a century...but the journey is a delicious adventure! When we land and rest awhile, and bask in the light of who we are, we are free!
Thank you for including those videos of Leo Buscalia....which brought back fond memories for me. I have read most of the collections of his essays...and his book "The Fall of Freddy the Leaf." Met him in October of 1986...and anyone who has ever met him will agree that he is a very memorable person, full of the love energy that he talks about. ~:0)
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Tim, good to see you and thank you very much. This one was special to me; it's nice to see it so well-received.
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Harishprasad, what glowing praise. Thank you so much. Obviously this subject is important to me. I want all to succeed in life....not possible for sure, but that is my wish.
Inspirational Bill. Well written with emotions leading the reader toward 'effort' of [choice]. The examples offer allegorical truth for any walk of life or age. I ponder the next hub, the next comment, or just going for a walk before the break of dawn.
tim
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brownella, thank you so much. This is a "lecture" I delivered to my students every year. I hope some of them heard it. :)
To feel for life so intensely and impress all upon the value of life so vigorously can only be done by the fantastic person like you. You are so right that " the best education is experience ". To experience life is to open our mind in all abundance , to enlarge our heart to everyone/everything and to rise our soul to the heights unscaled and unvisited so far. Bill, this hub is so useful and your wise words are so encouraging that every sincere seeker and lover of life will read it and take immense benefit out of it. You are such a great teacher. Loved reading it and voted up. :-)
Great hub, it made me think of my father and his "you can do anything you set your mind to" speech, which he delivers as needed. It is so easy to lose sight of our own mortality and settle in to a boring life. It is always nice to read something that keeps you on your toes living wise and your hub certainly did. Thanks!
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Audrey, I love the way you stated that...the sense of honor...beautiful my friend. Thank you!
I love the sense of honor we do each other when we see the potential in others--as always, you make me think!
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Donna, thank you so much. This topic is something I am passionate about. As a former teacher I saw too many kids sleepwalk their way through life...such a waste.
Bill - what an amazing article. I had a life coaching practice at one time and I named my business Expansion Unlimited, meaning everyone has limitless potential and anything is possible. I love your hub, because although we can all reach for the stars, having the ability to and taking action towards what we desire are totally different, and your hub reminded me to take the leap. I have tweeted and shared your article on facebook.
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vkwok, remember that. You have a lot of years ahead of you and I expect greatness from you.
We won't know what we can really do unless we try. Awesome hub, Bill!
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Well, Jackie, I just want to see all writers succeed....this is what I do, and this is what I did when I taught school....so thank you.
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Crafty, that was a sad and wonderful story all rolled up into one. Amazing that parents would stifle a child...saddens me.
Inspiring, passionate and positive fits this to a T. I am not quite the dare devil I once was, but I haven't quite lost sight of the rainbow! You are one great cheerleader billy, great to have you here. ^+
I remember watching a show once about a girl who was striking in beauty, yet she didn't know it. Her family stifled her talents and abilities because they were jealous. When the young woman was on stage being interviewed, the interviewer pointed out that, "this is why they were stifling you, because they didn't want YOU to become".
She went on to be a very rich model.
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Dora, I am glad to be of assistance. :) This one was special for me and it's nice that it was so well received.
blessings always
bill
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pramodgokhale, thank you so much for your kind words.
"The comfort of conformity." Nothing good about it except the sound. Bill, I woke up with similar thoughts this morning. Your article makes a good morning devotional; it is for me. Thank you.
great article and content is so powerful, anybody can learn and understand to grow.
vocab is superb. You are really a great Mentor.
pramodgokhale
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Thank you Dianna! It's always good to see you.
Great message for today. Potential is within all of us and must be awakened before it is too late.
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Maria, I thank you, and I wish you a peaceful night my friend.
love,
bill
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Too funny, Nell! Thanks for the laugh.
This was all about your voice, Bill...I could hear you speaking and as you have said, a wonderful way to say good night with a smile on my face.
Tomorrow is another wonderful day and I embrace it...thank you.
Have a peaceful night's rest, my friend. Beautiful work. Love, Maria
lol! po er tentiol no, potential! yeah!
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Thank you Nell! I believe that completely. It's interesting how some people realize their potential while there are some who can barely spell it. :)
Hi Bill, you totally and poetically told us the way it is in this hub, use our potential any way we can, and thats what makes people great! I often think of all those back in history that have stood out for making, inventing, discovering and just being amazing, and we all have that if we try, great hub!
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Thank you Bill. I would venture to guess that I am accomplishing more in my later years than I did when I was younger...at least more that is meaningful. I'm glad you feel the same my friend and yes, I am having a good week. I hope the same goes for you.
Very inspiring Bill. I certainly look forward to the possibilities of each and every day. I may not be young anymore but that doesn't mean I still can't accomplish a lot in life. Really enjoyed this hub Bill. Hope you're having a great week my friend.
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Marlene, my past is littered with yesterdays, but I have tunnel vision for today and tomorrow. I'm graced with narrow eye sight. LOL Thanks for your thoughts my friend.
I'm one of those people who believes in the possibility of anything I can imagine. But, sometimes I'm also impatient. I'm willing to work hard for the reward, but when my efforts don't pay off quickly enough, I start imagining something else. Bill, I look forward to reading your thoughts about the subject of writing because you always share something worth pondering. Yes, I have crashed and failed. But... that was yesterday! Today is a new day.
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Oh Liz, I saw so many of them when I was teaching...some found their wings and some never even knew they had any. We keep hoping, don't we?
Thank you for the visit and the kind words.
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Colleen, thank you! If I generated some reflection then I'm a happy writer.
I had just posted a tweet this week on Twitter- a line from an INXS song..."We all have wings but some of us don't know why..." It has been in my head all week and after reading this hub, it's back. :) And yes, I know many who have SUCH amazing potential. They are young and don't quite realize it, but I hope they do because they will make an extreme difference in this world and in their own lives. Thought provoking hub, as always!
Interesting and deep thinking. Tended to make me think back and then access the facts that influenced my decisions. Nice hub.
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Music to my ears, breakfastpop; thank you very much.
You always energize and inspire me and I thank you. Up an totally awesome.
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kerlund, thank you so much. This one is a special message for me...and for all of us.
Fantastic written! Inspiring and poetic! One life, nothing to loose... We have to do our very best with our lives and try to find what's our purpose.
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Well said, Joelle...I love that...instill the love of learning, discover and not be afraid...so very true.
Thank you and have a fabulous evening. I think it's time for me to go get a mocha.
bill
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I'm so happy you liked this, Ruby! I figure I owe you one once a week or so for your loyalty. Thank you my friend; now start singing loud and clear and maybe I'll hear you out west.
Bill, i wanted to burst out singing, ' The hills are alive with music. ' You have the gift of inspiring anyone to break-out and attempt to fly as a writer. Now, if i can think of something spectacular! Loved it...
I remember that at one point I thought I was probably to old to go back to college. I registered and went through the course with most of the student having around the age of my own children at that time :-) I think one of them almost called me grandma ;-) The conclusion of that experience was that yes, it was terrifying to make the step to go through that, but it was great. Being a perfectionnist and wanting also to give a good example to my own kids, it was really difficult but it was worth it. I think it gave me the wings to dare and try anything. I think I removed some of the barriers that I probably placed myself in my mind.
We have to instill the love of learning, discover and not be afraid in children so even as adults they will continue to believe that indeed, the sky is the limit :-)
Enjoy the rest of your day, Bill :-)
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My pleasure, Jamie, and thank you!
Thank you for the inspiring words. Jamie
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MizB I love that you helped pioneer the radio industry. I hope you are proud of your work and your willingness to say "to hell with the norm" and move beyond it. Oh, if we only had a couple million more of you, the wonders we could create!
Thank you for sharing that and your kind words are greatly appreciated.
bill
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Faith, that's a start my friend. Savor every bite of that sandwich and then move on to the next challenge. LOL
Thank you for sharing your lunch with me; very tasty indeed.
blessings always with hugs as a bonus
bill
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Graham, thank you my friend. There are days those stars seem so far away; other days they are so close you could almost touch them. The joy is in trying. :)
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Ruchira, negative reviews are part of the game. Dust yourself off and get back into the game again. I'm rowing as I write this so yes, I will see you at the other end. Thank you!
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Manatita, I have been blessed to know several people like this...and they are a continual motivation for me.
blessings always
bill
Bill, what a rousing speech you have written here, but every word is true. I know, because as I have mentioned before, I broke the glass ceiling in radio and helped pioneer the way for women to become more than secretaries, bookkeepers, and traffic directors in broadcasting. It is so important for people to find what talents they have, and everybody excels at something, and to exploit those talents to the limit. By doing that, not only are they helping themselves, but they may be plowing new ground for the ones who follow in their footsteps.
Now having said that, I have to give you your laugh for the day. It reminded me of the Geico commercial that starts off “Did you know that Pinocchio would have been a terrible motivational speaker?” I think everybody’s seen it, but for those who haven’t, every time Pinocchio told someone in the audience that the person had potential, his nose grew. It is really a funny commercial.
This is very good. You should be a motivational speaker. Voted up++
Passionate write here, dear Bill! Loved this and many of your examples reminded me of my son who is not afraid of anything and seems to embrace life as it comes. He was into extreme sports and enjoyed every minute of it even after a great many falls. Yes, today may just be all we have, so let's not waste a minute! Now I am going to enjoy my sandwich lol. Blessings, Faith Reaper
Hi Bill. Another hub which soars far above the mundane efforts of many. I know a man with a free spirit, he sees life differently to anyone else that I know. Life is for living is his motto and he certainly aims for the stars in everything. Brilliant work from you again.
Graham.
Such an inspiring read this morning when I got a negative review of my book...asking me to read ficition before indulging in it...lol
Potential...yes! gotta rowing this boat!
see you at the other end, bill :)
Not one moment wasted. Cool. I knew a man like this once and a real inspiration. Much speed!
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glad I could return the favor, Ann.
bill
Now that made me LOL! Ann
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Thank you so much, Jo! Bev is indeed pretty special and I am one lucky man. She is my inspiration and my biggest cheerleader.
blessings always my friend
bill
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Thank you Sha! I'm so glad you liked this one. :) A little extra effort went into this.
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LOL...ignorant my as if! Very lady-like of you, Ann!
Best wishes on the bodyblitz! If I don't hear from you tomorrow I'll know it didn't go well. :)
bill
Bill, beautifully done!! If we allow fear to dominate us, we will never be able to fulfill our potential in life. I've done a lot of the things I wanted to do in my life, but there are so much more I would love to achieve, if only I could shut out the negative voice in my head. We will always need those special people who doesn't seem to know fear, who are always pushing the boundaries regardless.
Loved the tribute to Bev, you're both pretty special, take care and my best to you.
Wow, what an amazing read! If all motivational pieces were written in this (your) voice, the world would be alive with dreamers and doers. Awesome post, Bill!
Ignorant my ....! As if.
My Wednesday certainly has been rewarding. Due to an improvement in the weather here, I've been out gardening, done some washing and hung it out to dry, and I've spent some time writing and commenting on hubpages. What more could you wish for in a day?!
Then this evening a friend and I will have our weekly 'bodyblitz' exercise and if I can survive that I can survive anything. Life is indeed too short. Go for it, I say! Have a good evening, bill. Ann
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Oh Mary, I love that line...the more road you see over your shoulder....great point and perfectly said. Thank you for that; I have the feeling I'm going to remember that line for many years.
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Why thank you Randi! I guess I might have a little poet in me. :)
Hi Bill,
While hindsight is 20/20, if someone had gave me futuristic advice when I was 20, being the young lady of the 1950's that I was, I would ignore it. And I did.
Now being a young lady closer to 70 years, I embrace this advice. Each day presents a challenge to accomplish a set goal - because now I do have goals, before this I was assigned a set schedule to keep. Goals were and are accomplishments for self; schedules were assignments to do bidding of superiors. lol
Your article is inspiring to those who can see the implied inspiration. One's goal will remain an unfulfilled dream unless you get your act together now. Each day you "waste" puts you that much farther from your goal. Your goal can be writing a best selling novel or accomplishing a higher level of expertise in your chosen field.
Whatever it is, the more road you see over your shoulder makes the road in front of you that much shorter. And there is only so much time (and material) left to complete the road.
Good food for thought, Bill. Voted up and shared. :)
And you say you are not a poet! This one fairly sang. Beautiful, Bill and so true and important. Thank you!
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Ann, you tossed in some French there and lost me. Don't you know that we Americans are an ignorant lot? LOL
I love that you did all those things. I had a motorcycle on two occasions, and a motor scooter, and climbed mountains...life is just too short my friend, and I still have much I want to do if my body will allow it.
Thank you for sharing a part of your life and your thoughts with us. You are appreciated my friend.
I hope your Wednesday has been rewarding.
bill
I was the 'tom-boy' on the block, I was the one who couldn't wait to climb the trees, I played 'cowboys and Indians' with the boys, I couldn't wait to pass my driving test so that I could go rallying & off-roading, I took that a step further and learnt to ride a motor-bike so that I could go round our local country roads..... so I suppose I'm one of those that reaches for the horizon!
Don't get me wrong, I'm no intrepid explorer but I don't shy away from taking some risks. Wouldn't it be boring if we didn't?
I'm with you all the way on this one, bill. We waste our potential if we don't push the boundaries, if we don't inquire, experiment, make mistakes so that we can learn from them.
If you're full of life and joie de vivre, then you can live your own life to the full and, I find, it creates enthusiasm in others. I learnt that from family and friends with a similar outlook - is it nature or nurture, I don't know, but it doesn't matter as long as you do it!
Another great piece of advice to all, bill. Ann
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Thank you so much Janine! I try to be all about positive. Lord knows we get enough negative in this world. :) enjoy your day my friend.
Love the dedication on this one and you are so write the possibilities for all of us are truly endless. I love your positive mantra here and trust me I try my best each day to live my life to the fullest and be as positive as I can be. I credit my mom for that and telling me to always look at live as though the glass is half full not empty, as well as to try my best to smile as much as possible. Mom truly does know best. Thanks Bill and have a wonderful day now!
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Thank you DDE; you stated it perfectly.
Potential is great and makes one want to go on with a positive mind an excellent hub on a greater aspect of life.
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