To Live

Things to ponder:

Today, as I sit at the table in my parent’s home, I reflect. It has been a long couple of weeks for me, being away from my love, two pieces of my heart (children for those who don’t follow my normal verbiage…lol) being a distance from me for a time, and having battled recently battles that I simply do not understand. A few days ago I sat and pouted (yup, I pouted) about things that I believed to be beyond my control. After some self-pity time, I finally sat up as the words of my parents slowly made their way from the back of my brain to the listening portion. “When in doubt…make a list. Pros’ and Con’s. Balance it. Reflect on it. Where do you see yourself on this list?” etc… So…I start making this list. Ironically enough I started it off with “Things I have no control over:” Would you know, I could not write the things on that list that I was previously having a pity party about?! So…this is what I came up with.

·         I cannot stop the seasons from changing.

·         I cannot stop time.

·         I cannot travel forward, or backward, in time.

·         I have no power over the sun, wind, snow, rain, or catastrophic forces of nature.

·         I cannot change History.

However…

·         I can enjoy every season for the gifts it brings; Spring (life), Summer (warmth), Autumn (beauty), and Winter (reflection).

·         I can stop myself from saying hurtful words.

·         I can speak words of love and compassion, happiness, strength, and comfort.

·         I can reach out and help where help is needed.

·         I can make the most of every moment.

·         I can bask in the sun, embrace the winds, play in the snow, dance in the rain, and marvel at the extreme forces of nature that have description beyond words.

·         I can change the future…my future.

In this we know that we ALL affect someone around us. Some affect a few, others affect many. Regardless of how many people are affected by our perspective on life (and how we carry that perspective out), they, in turn, affect others. And so goes the circle of life. Proverbs 18:21a “Death and Life are in the power of the tongue…” And yet our words, however impactful they may be, still only carry some of our entire communication. Don’t just endeavor to “speak life” but also strive to “live life”. Don’t just live…BE alive.

And with “BE Alive” I left off and looked at the list…………and realized that I needed that. Yeah…I’m struggling over things that are difficult. I’m in the middle of some battles that I wouldn’t wish on my enemies. But they are mine, and I CAN control how I come out of this… and I intend to. Honey, I’m gonna come out singing! I’m going to enjoy the changes of the seasons (even if my California-spoiled self is shaking fist at the cold temps) and what those changes will bring my way! I’m going to bask in the sun! I’m going to play in the snow! I’m going to dance in the rain, and I’m going to leave behind bright, happy colors on the canvas of my life to inspire others… to live.