Some of my words from yesterday have been the catalyst for more thought. I wrote: "Sometimes, little things can get in the way of experiencing a trouble-free day." Later it occurred to me that for most of us – perhaps all of us – our lives are filled with little things.
Perhaps the little things we figuratively process as a pebble in our shoe are the ones that most often garner our attention. Frequently, we fail to notice little things that could promote a sense of peace, joy and wonderment simply because we are in too big of a hurry.
Yesterday, as I allowed the sound of Simon and Garfunkel to fill my head with the words and melody of "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water," it totally altered my frame of reference. My thoughts shifted from the pebble in my shoe to thoughts of gratitude for those who enhance and add value to my life.
Sometimes something as simple as enjoying the sound of silence can provide a sanctuary to reflect on life and things that have eternal significance. Sometimes the silence frees us to remember the people who offered words of encouragement and support as we negotiated challenges and opportunities at every developmental level.
If your sense of joy and enthusiasm about life seems diminished from what once was, maybe it is time to do a reality check? Have you fallen into the trap of being self-absorbed? Are you content with mostly living in isolation from others? We often succumb to the pressure of completing our "To Do Lists" that we fail to maintain balance in our life.
Max Lucado's book, "It's Not About Me" makes it clear that God doesn't exist to give us all that we selfishly want. That is a self-destructive path. If our daily agenda is limited to focusing on ourselves, we've missed the gateway to happiness.
I remember a hymn we often sang at church during my younger years. The chorus was "Others, Lord, yes, others --Let this my motto be; Help me to live for others
That I may live like Thee.—"
The chorus of the song seems to be tied to what Jesus described as one of the two great commandments found in Matthew 22: 36-40: "to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart" and "to love thy neighbor as thyself."
Have you heard the song: "When You Need a Friend" by Coldplay? I ran across the song only by chance, but I found it compelling. The words powerfully express the need for shared friendship. I've said it before but let me say it again: "People Need People."
Holy, holy, dove descend
Soft and slowly
When I'm near the end
Holy, holy, dark defend
Shield me, shōld me
When I need a friend
Slowly, slowly, violence end
Love reign o'er me
When I need a friend
Hombre, mire
Ah, propiamente
Para toda la gente ha sido motivo de burla
Porque todo el mundo piensa que es una cosa imposible
Que es cuestión de locos
El problema es que todo es increíble
Y la gente no lo acepta
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgkE23j_8Ss ]
In recent weeks, I've had a meeting by chance with a couple of people in different grocery stores that tugged at my heart strings. A meeting by chance is when two people unexpectedly encounter each other after years of being apart and a flood of memories two precious to forget comes to mind. Yet the reality is, I did forget.
Yet, both people I encountered are now in a tough place. The truth of the matter is I really can't do much, but sometimes the presence of an old friend back in one's life makes a world of difference. I want to be that kind of friend.
All My Best!
Don
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