Strength

Surviving this winter’s weather has been a challenge. Less so now than in year’s past. Then I commuted 4 hours a day, two hours each way, and it involved walking to and from the train station at both ends of the commute, standing and waiting for the train, riding a full and cramped public train car morning and night. And the walking. Snow drifts, bitter cold, numb feet, even number and more painful face! Those were challenging days. Today I peer out the window and am thankful that I no longer commute. Retirement does have its advantages!

Still we have to go to meetings and the grocery store, drug store and church. We are not hermits. We do venture out. Only now we have more choice in the matter. Even cancel attendance. We have the option to be a hermit when it matters greatly!

We also have the option – in retirement or not! – to be happy. Shakespeare has been quoted as saying:

“I always feel happy, you know why? Because I don’t expect anything from anyone. Expectations always hurt…Life is short…So love your life…Be happy and keep smiling. Just live for yourself and before you speak, listen; before you write, think; before you spend, earn; before you pray, forgive; before you hurt, feel; before you hate, love; before you quit, try; before you die, live.”

                                    ~www.facebook.com/BestEnglishQuotesSayings

Who knows if this is a true quote? It doesn't look right to me, but I do appreciate the thought. It is also an excellent parallel to the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

Both of these thoughts tell us we have some control over our life. We can choose to be happy! We can choose to turn the other cheek and avoid anger and distress. All too often we cannot avoid the pitfalls inevitably thrust in our path. But we can choose to not let them affect us as much as they do.  Easy to say, right? Difficult to do. You bet!  Especially for me. I am notoriously easy to rile. Mellow is not my middle name!!

This quote from the internet comes just in time:

When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing. Relax, breathe, let go and just live.”    -Author Unknown

In the final analysis we can’t control everything, but we can control our reaction to most everything.

Another anonymous quote:

“It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full…be grateful that you  have a glass, and there is something in it.”

Be grateful. For what we have. For the trials we don’t have presently. For who is in our life. Just be grateful. Not an easy behavior to excite at times, but one which enriches us when we do! Exercise gratefulness. Good health or reasonably good health. Feeling good at times as opposed to feeling aches, pains and dread. Suspend worry. Do without it as much and as often as possible.

Here’s a quote I like on this subject:

“Worry is a total waste of time. It doesn't change anything. All it does is steal  your joy and keeps you very busy doing nothing.” – Anonymous

Again, this is filled with wisdom but hard to live by. We can lessen worry by preparing for the negative elements of life. Care should be taken, however, that we don’t over plan or else we replace planning with worrying. Not much else gets accomplished, right?

I’m reminded of those that endlessly find fault with things. If they used that time to develop solutions to things they find fault with, they might just change the outcomes of countless millions of people. And for themselves as well!

From the Bully Project comes this quote:

            “Be gentle. Fill yourself up with love instead of hate;

            Fill yourself up with art, books, knowledge, experiences;

            Surround yourself with people who have nothing to give but love;

            These things are important; they will help you learn how to love.”

From these efforts comes strength. Bit by bit. Day by day. To be revisited as often as we need. But like the final sip of orange juice at breakfast, a pleasant reminder of good things we can call back over and over again: Strength. To live. And to love by.

January 10, 2014