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Looking on the bright side
“Every sunrise gives you a new beginning and a new ending. Let this morning be a new beginning to a better relationship and a new ending to the bad memories. It’s an opportunity to enjoy life, breathe freely, think and love. Be grateful for this beautiful day.” ~Norton Juster, children’s book author Over the past two days, Doug and I spent time with a pair of old friends who visit us every year when they’re back in town. One of them was diagnosed with brain cancer a few months ago, and her journey back to health has been both grueling and miraculous. She and her husband shared moving stories of…
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Your grass is green enough
“Get busy taking care of your own grass, and you won’t notice whether it’s greener elsewhere.” ~Karon Waddell Whenever I’m fully engaged in something I enjoy, I’m practically oblivious to what’s going on around me. Some psychologists refer to this state as being in the flow. Whatever it’s called, I’m happiest when I’m focusing on my own goals and projects — free of competitive impulses. Jealousy and envy sprout when we doubt our abilities and gifts. Or when we don’t exercise our potential for success. That’s when we look over our shoulders to see what others have achieved. That’s when we start comparing ourselves and feeling “less than” — even when…
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Appreciation
“It’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on all the things you have long taken for granted.” ~ Bertrand Russell Too often, we take for granted the people and things we love. We assume they’ll always be there for us. And we get lazy. The things we value need regular care and maintenance — whether we’re talking about cars, homes, or relationships. Almost everything will fade or rust with neglect. Likewise, we wrongly assume that Mother Nature is inexhaustible. We take her for granted too. We might turn a blind eye to climate change warnings, or refuse to accept responsibility for the natural beauty we…
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Every age you’ve ever been
There are days when I find it hard to believe that I’m as old as I am now. While my reflection in the mirror reveals the truth in lines and wrinkles, sometimes I feel like the carefree kid I was in high school and college. Sometimes I feel as vulnerable as I did when I was a small child. As today’s quote reminds us, we are all of the ages we’ve ever been. Our dreams and goals may have changed along the way, but everything we’ve experienced, at every stage in life, has made us who we are today. Imagine what you’d say if you had an opportunity to gather…
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Stop the insults
“Dismiss whatever insults your own soul.” ~Walt Whitman Today’s advice from Walt Whitman got me thinking about things that “insult my soul” and make me cringe. Topping my list are filthy bathrooms in restaurants, along with vulgar and obnoxious political leaders. There are dozens of other odious behaviors that some of us tolerate, even when they’re long past their expiration dates. Maybe we cling to habits that harm our health. Maybe we keep allowing certain people to disrespect us, or take us for granted. Maybe we keep ruminating on old emotional pain or anger. Maybe we keep settling for less because we’re not convinced that we deserve better. Years ago,…
