I've been tasked with writing about some very personal things, by a third party that means very well. Fortunately, not much of that will make it into this arena. No, I am not going to apologize for leaving you all out of it. I am fairly candid when I write here, but some things are just too close. Besides, even if you really think you'd like to read about it, trust me, you don't. That said, Please don't think that what can be found here is trivial; I assure you, quite the opposite is true. They are dearly intimate, yet filtered as to not air dirty laundry or open any gaps where they don't belong. So to compromise while I work on some of these handy homework jobs, I though I might share the following.
The things that I am thankful for:
The people who inspire, care about and support me
Huckleberries
My ability to recognize errors in systems, including myself
My ability to love and cherish
The hard lessons that I have learned
Books
My hands that are actually my Grandfather's
My eyes that are my fathers
Blank sheets of paper
Forgiveness, even when it is hard won
My memory
It may seem silly to have list such as this, but truth be told, I carry this and things like it in my wallet and I review/revise them often. It's not that I forget any of these, but it seems that people have a need for physical reminders; they make thoughts real and solidify memory.
Another such device I carry with me, is a passage that I've come to accept as kind of a map to who and where I'd like to be as a person:
'We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.'
What did you expect? The serenity prayer? Seriously, these words are a very Zen concept to me. In seeking these ideals and following that path, it isn't long before you can look around yourself and see the scenery along the way improve. I keep this in mind, especially during the hard times and sleepless nights.
(originality posted Dec 31, 2019)
