The bugs, bees, and birds never give us pause, do they? These creatures are always there — flying overhead, scurrying on the ground, and framing our summer nights with their melodic sound. Even in winter, no matter how cold or inclement, these tiny beings won’t desert us. They are perennial much like the sun, the moon, and the stars to paraphrase Desiderata. (1)
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Where do the lessons of life reside?
I am always reminded that often the real lessons of life lie in chance encounters or in simple situations. These occurrences present golden nuggets of wisdom that are dangled before our eyes. They must simply be grasped. We sadly often miss them, or at least I do. The great philosophers and sages do have eminent parables to relate and clever treatises to promulgate. The thoughts of the individuals “just getting through life” are often as profound, however.
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Friends
I have a friend who is always positive, always confident. It is one of his many gifts. At times, however, I find this seemingly blatant disregard for the facts to be overwhelming and somewhat vexing.
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Never give up on your dreams – never!
Where do dreams come from? They come from deep, deep inside of you and only you. They remain hidden down three flights of stairs, carried along a darkened corridor, and dropped down a plunging lift to your private world of imagination. I want to step into that world — to float like a bird and soar to the heavens; to dive to the deepest trench in the seas and to communicate with all forms of life.
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Let’s take a trip
People say that we all need a vacation. The time away is restful and calming. Many people when asked to proffer their goal in life, often utter, I want to travel. When queried they further respond — everywhere! This is a wonderful target, espoused by eager and excited minds.
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Don’t take yourself too seriously!
Don’t take yourself too seriously – this is good advice. You just need to have a good laugh. Recently on my way to church, — a relatively short distance – I saw three “fender benders,” three relatively minor traffic accidents: the value of the vehicles seeming to increase the ardor and animation of the participants – the more expensive, the angrier!
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Nature in all her beauty
I had a rather startling experience the other day when taking a group of young ladies, my students, out for a field trip. The purpose of the journey was to simply be more aware, and gain an increased cognizance of the world around us.
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Wake up, dress up, and show up
The other day, on my way to school, I passed a well-dressed man. What was remarkable about his attire was that he had obviously spent some time getting dressed. He was clean-shaven, his hair neatly combed, and his clothing tailored — fitting him correctly. He was walking in a tousle of poorly cloaked individuals. This had the effect of making him look even more remarkable.
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Self-reflection
When you see an old man with “one foot in the grave,” playing some nonsensical game on his cell phone, do you think as I do? Do you ask why he isn’t deep in thought — ruminating on life or mortality — contemplating his legacy to his children and grandchildren? This thought doesn’t exist, I posit. He is practicing what the majority of human beings do all the time — some form of escapism.
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Are you curious?
If there is any one thing that will keep you young — spiritually, physically, and mentally — I would argue that it is not exercise and the strict monitoring of your body. It is curiosity: an inquisitiveness and wonder about the world all around you.
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