Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Be the Gift

At my age, 66, some people begin to fall apart. I seem to be fusing myself together with arthritic bone spurs and calcium deposits. After a rough night with little sleep, I was feeling very discouraged. I lay awake questioning my own unhappiness (yes, I really do always do that) but I didn’t get very far.

Feeling bad seemed inevitable. That’s the key; it almost always does. Since our beliefs are our version of reality, it’s hard to see them as just beliefs. They seem like reality, inevitable.

I dragged my weary self out to get the mail. The day sparkled around me and I felt my spirits lift. Then I spied him as he tooled around the oleander hedge by the mailboxes, a smiling man with white hair astride a bright red, brand new electric scooter.

“Make every day count!” he said. “”Yes,” I heard myself reply, “It’s all we have. It’s precious.” How had I forgotten?

We chatted for a few minutes. He told me he is from New York. He can’t walk. He pointed to his leg and said there was a steel rod in it. His sons bought him the scooter. He is 92 years old!

As he whizzed off he raised his hand to the bright blue sky. Rounding the corner, he shouted, “It’s a beautiful day!”

And it was. I felt better and better as the hours went by and the sweet encounter warmed my spirits.

What a sweet gift. There is a saying, “Be the change you want to see.” How about, “Be the gift you want to receive?”

Maybe these thoughts will warm your spirits. Maybe you are already feeling wonderful -- spread the word. Imagine if we knew at every moment that this one, now this one, now this one is really all we have.

You are a precious gift. Have a beautiful day!
Love,
Mandy