It surrounds us daily. The good and the beautiful. Sure, the bad and ugly dwell nearby as well. That’s the yin and yang of life. The good and bad.
Actually, the two together – good and bad – allow us to see the two and see the differences. Discerning the good is easier when bad is present, isn’t it? We appreciate the good because the bad reminds us of how bad it could be.
Can be. The bad, of course, is there to see if we but look. The opposite is true as well: the good is there to see if we but look.
Complaining about problems or what is wrong, is OK some of the time, but all of the time is the definition of a problem. Things are not all wrong. The bad does not overweigh the good.
At times it seems so. I get that. I realize that some people are heavily weighed down by the negative. Ill health is one such cause. Bone crushing poverty is another. Living in a violence-prone society is yet another. Think of what it was like to live in Viet Nam during the American war there. Think what it is like to live in some areas of Mexico, Columbia, and several Central American countries. Civilian life there is a challenge; to avoid violence. To survive. This is one reason so many Central Americans trek across the Mexican desert to America’s storied freedom and safety.
We know here at home that all is not right as well. Violence resides in America, just less. And we have a support system that quells violence, chases after the perpetuators and holds them accountable in our system of justice.
But there is other violence people live with daily. That is the negativity of their own minds. What they focus on affects them. It is part of the psychological existence we all live with. We can let it take us down, or we can resist the temptation and focus on more attractive, productive things.
Those with serious illness will think my position odd. They are worried about their illness, diagnosis, possible crises awaiting them. They worry about new pains and symptoms as though they are full blown or will be soon. Eventually they tie themselves into tight balls of negativity that paralyze them from living life. They are dying more each day because that is the result of such behavior.
Yet we have known others with debilitating diseases who have continued their hobbies and volunteer work. Even their careers push through the dark spaces and arrive at amazing creations of work, art and accomplishment.
How they turn the corner from negative to positive is a mystery. Some of them will say, if asked, that the positive is more pleasant than the negative. Period. They say they would rather be in the positive and ignore the pain and decline that they know will occur with their disease. In this way they live a life of victory inspite of the diagnosis.
Visit a care facility – rehabilitation, convalescence home, or an assisted living facility – and you will encounter people of spirit, vitality and broad smiles. They make the best of their situation because it is enjoyable. They brighten the day for those living in the negative. Changing the days of such people caught in the dark web, is an achievement of purpose and passion. The staff know this. They see it every day.
Why wait until we are institutionalized to discover this secret of a good life? Why not seek the positive now and live with the joy from now on?
A life of freedom and happiness comes to those who want it and work for it. May it be for you and your loved ones. We’ll pray for those who struggle with the opposite.
May 29, 2019
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