show the world your joy

Do you ever notice how small children always seem to be happy? Why can't the same be true for adults? Yes, every single moment of our life is not necessarily magic, but I think we could have a lot more joy if only we tried a little more!  Even with a pandemic all around us, increased hate crimes, and a slowed down economy, there is still something to be happy about.

Babies and small children are really good at showing off their happiness too. It seems there is something else we could copy from them!  Did you ever see a toddler giggle?  Oh my!

Someone once said that life is not about making others happy. Life is about sharing your happiness with others! Even those little tiny happy moments are worth sharing! Have I had happy moments in the past year?  You betcha!  Show the world your joy, especially when there seems to be so much darkness. You just might be surprised at the results!

Did you ever know that you're my hero

Remember when Bette Midler sang "Did you ever know that you're my hero"?  The song is Wind Beneath My Wings and numerous other artists recorded it, but the point I want to make is regarding its lyrics.  I think it is talking about a friend or relative, someone who is special and whom she considers her hero and her idol. There is nothing wrong with a little hero worship and I think everyone should have someone like she does!

 

A few months before my mother died, I was helping her set up a new telephone lifeline system and, as a backup password, they wanted to know the name of her hero.  Without hesitation Mom said "Dad," meaning her father.  How wonderful that long after he had died, my mother still looked at her father as her hero.

 

I write here often of people we might consider heroes.  Some are well known and some are folks that would only be known within their community.  What is it that make them a hero though and has anyone ever encouraged them to continue that behavior?  One of the things I like about that Bette Midler song is that it seems to be addressed directly to her hero.  How wonderful!  Let that person know what you think of them.  Oh they my blush and even say "aw shucks!" but acknowledging good behavior only encourages more of it, and that certainly can't be a bad thing!

A Zen Folktale

I didn't write this one.  (Gosh!  I've quoted several "author unknown" tales here over the years).  This is a good story though, so I hope you'll read on.

A huge, rough samurai once went to see a little monk, hoping to acquire the secrets of the universe.

"Monk," he said, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience. "Teach me about heaven and hell."

The little monk looked up at the mighty warrior in silence. Then, after a moment, he said to the samurai with utter disdain, "Teach YOU about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you about anything. You're dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. you're a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight at once. I can't stand you!"

The samurai was furious. He began to shake all over from the anger that raced through him. A red flush spread over his face; he was speechless with rage. Quickly, menacingly, he pulled out his sword and raised it above his head, preparing to slay the monk.

"That's hell." said the little monk quietly.

The samurai was overwhelmed. Stunned. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching about hell! He slowly lowered his sword, filled with gratitude, and for reasons he could not explain his heart became suddenly peaceful.

"And that's heaven," said the monk softly.

Twenty dollar bill story

A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200 people, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple up the currency and then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth twenty dollars. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special - Don't EVER forget it."

I've told you about this speaker and the story of the twenty dollar bill here before.  It didn't originate with me.  It is one of those that has floated around and I am simply retelling it here. (I do that sort of thing from time-to-time). But it speaks to a number of things. Mostly it says count your blessings, not your problems.

more

More.  Some of us are never satisfied.  Some of us always want more.  How can we do more though?  What can we do to make more of a difference in this world?  Where are the folks that already are doing more? Day after day I write here, but do I have all the answers?  Of course not!  Together we have a lot of answers though, certainly more of them.  On this Earth Day Weekend, it is important to have more answers and for us all to pitch in and do more.

 

So what do YOU think?  There are more ways of doing things than I have written about here.  Can you share some ideas?  The more who contribute here, there more answers we will have in the end.  Come!  Join in the discussion!

 

I want to change the world for the better and I am doing ________ to achieve this.  What would you put in the blank?  I hope we hear from many of you.  Share some more of your good ideas!

desired things

The 1927 poem, Desiderata (Latin for desired things) by American writer Max Ehrmann, has long been a favorite of mine. I've mentioned it here before. Since I desire happiness for everyone and I desire that everyone realize his or her importance, it seemed fitting and proper to mention this wonderful prose once again on this Tuesday morning. It being in the public domain, I'd actually just like to print it here for you all to ponder and enjoy:

 

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

 

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

 

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

 

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

 

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

 

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

 

                                                                                                                -Max Ehrmann

Paid in full

Today is Mother's Day.  I think about my own mom a lot.  It's been over over ten years since she passed away.  I'm tempted to tell you something about her this morning, but I've done that before, and after all, this blog is NOT about me.  Instead, here's a story for you that isn't even mine but it is about a mother.   I really like it and hope you do too.  I'm not sure who wrote this - it's been floating around for years, but it just might touch you and perhaps even make you think -

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00 For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00 For going to the store for you: $.50 Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25 Taking out the garbage: $1.00 For getting a good report card: $5.00 For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00 Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me: No Charge

For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you: No Charge

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years: No Charge

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead: No Charge

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose: No Charge Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you."

And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".


Perhaps it's because I miss my own mom, that I think more about the value of mothers.  This story though is not just about the love of your mom, it's also about giving and I guess that's what's so special about it.  Giving is always a good thing, whether from a mother or from anyone!  Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!

Pollyanna?

To say that I am too Pollyanna, as some have, is not only insulting, but also inaccurate. The heroine of Eleanor H. Porter's famous 1913 novel "Pollyanna," was indeed an optimist and probably a bit too much of one. I am optimistic, but also realistic. I believe in good but know that life is not always sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows.  

There is something else here though - usually we think of Pollyanna as someone who considers themselves better than others, and with me, that is certainly not the case.  I never seek fame or attention.  I don't try to set myself as an authority.  My suggestions here each day are just that and seldom (this being one of those rare occasions) do I even talk about myself here.  This is NOT about me.

This is about all of us though.  ALL of us.  This is about making a bright future.  This is about caring.  This is about change.  This is about love and respect.  This is about justice and equality.  This is about making a difference in our world.  We all have the power to do this and we can me reasonably optimistic that positive things are going to happen.  Optimism is not a bad thing.  Working for good - working for sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows, can never be a bad thing.

Perhaps we are all a bit Pollyanna, or want to be.  The important thing is to never give up and to always strive for the good that we deserve and that is certainly there, if we let it be.

Thursday acts of kindness

This morning I am thinking once again about the importance of being good neighbors. I was thinking especially about random acts of kindness. Feeding the hungry seems to be at the top of most lists, but there are so many ways to do this. So today I give you a list, in no particular order, of various random acts of kindness, many of which cost little or nothing and take very little time. Maybe some of these will give you ideas of your own!

Load extra money in vending machines to buy the next person's snacks when they come along. It will be a pleasant surprise for them! Leaving a few coins out at the laundromat does the same thing.

Sing an employee's praises to their manager or on a comment card — a little recognition goes a long way. Believe it or not, people complain more often than praise even though most workers deserve the praise more often than the complaint.

When paying for your breakfast in a restaurant, ask for the check of a random diner (especially someone who is elderly or who is dining alone) and pay it without their knowing.

Help a friend see today in a wondrous new light: present them with a kaleidoscope. They really aren't very expensive and are available in most toy stores.

Vulnerable people may be avoiding all public places and so some may need groceries or medical supplies. Volunteer to pick things up for them and assure them they don't need to make physical contact with you.

Practice physical distancing and wear a mask whenever you are in public.

Here's a simple one: call, text, or email some folk you know have little contact with others (which during this pandemic, is many of us).

My list could go on and on of course. Perhaps you would like to add your own suggestions in the comments section below.

Gazing or Doing

We can sit quietly, gazing up at the stars, or we can get involved and do something. WE can bring about change, but we have to want it.  This summer we have seen way too many examples of hate, and we have seen so many die. Is that the way it's supposed to be? Do we go through our life worrying about being shot or who we are going to shoot? (Take notice of how guns are involved in almost all of these horrible situations, and yet there are still those who say everyone has a right to own a gun - don't limit our freedom).

Racism is alive in the USA, but we have the power to end it. We can end the anti-gay hate too. In fact, we can see all hate done away with.

I've seen some wonderful signs of people working together in the past few days, but as the various killings fade from memory, I am afraid that we will see that working together, come to an end. Folks, this needs to be fixed now. Not one more life should be lost. Don't just trot out your concern when there is a terrible tragedy. Black lives matter.  Hate is a virus.  Racism is wrong.  Gay people deserve equal treatment.  Guns kill. These thing must be on our minds, and we must fix our brokenness. Again, we have the power. Every single one of us can make a difference.

Are you afraid? I can understand that. When you see people being shot, that can be a very scary thing. Watching and doing nothing, does not make a problem go away though. Reach outside your comfort zone and you'll discover superpowers that you never knew you had. Let's all stop gazing, and start doing!

Rest and relax

Trying to make a better world?  How about making a better you!  Self care is so important to our daily lives, but some of us are so busy trying to help others that we neglect ourselves.  Rest and relaxation is important.  

Resting is not a waste of time. It's an investment in well-being.  Seriously.  We can't always be on the go.  Relaxing isn't a sign of laziness either. It's a source of energy.  Rest is important even during your workday.  Breaks are not a distraction. They're a chance to refocus attention.

Games are good too.  Exercise in a great investment in our well-being.  Play is not a frivolous activity. It's a path to connection and creativity.

Did you get enough sleep last night?  Maybe you can get some today.  Don't neglect yourself!  How about a nice spring vacation!

Adding up the cash

Fundraising used to require collecting cash and adding it all up to take to the bank.  These days it can be much easier.  Most charitable events now have online fundraising pages.  I have used these myself for a number of events.  Social media allows for some fundraising too or at least helps to spread the message. Services like paypal make paying easier, even for folks that might not have a credit card.

Facebook began allowing fundraisers a while back.  There is no fee for charities using that platform.  There are also a number of other ways to raise money for charity, including Crowdrise, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe.  Tomorrow is a big day for fundraising, It's GivingTuesday and I urge you to give to whatever organization is special to you.  You can get some great ideas at https://www.givingtuesday.org/united-states/

If you want to raise money for a cause, the online method is certainly an easier way than holding bake sales and car washes, but note that if you promise perks to your donors, it is usually you and not the service collecting the money, that needs to come through with that.  Promising perks and than not fulfilling them will lose you credibility and will likely cause you a tarnished image.  Only promise what you can and will fulfill. 

 

Adding up the cash did indeed get easier, but before using any method for fundraising, whether you are giving or receiving, make sure you understand exactly what you are doing.