The author is unknown, but the kernel of truth shared is timeless: "People don't always need advice. Sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen and a heart to understand them." How complicated is that? Most of us have the capacity to provide those things to others. This isn't rocket-science. It is simply treating others with civility and respect and understanding the importance of connection.
One of the questions I cannot answer is: "If you had your life to live over, what would you do differently?" Perhaps it is a lack of imagination on my part, but I can't imagine anything more fulfilling than the career track I chose. Whether by divine providence or happenstance, I did the only thing I could. At the end of the day, I have no aspirations or regrets related to the path I discovered in the process of living.
I'm not suggesting that I haven't erred repeatedly in the pursuit of living, but with each new day comes the opportunity to do it differently. We all make mistakes and I'm certain one of the common denominators that we share is rejoicing in the hope that a new day makes.
I am people needy and the privilege of engaging in the lives of others has provided the most wonderful and at times, frustrating of experiences. I have only served as pastor of one full-time church, but there was a man in the congregation for whom I could do nothing right. He was open and honest in his assessment. He told me that I looked like the devil.
I am not making this up. I have no memory of ever carrying a pitchfork, but the tell-tell sign that I looked like the devil was my moustache. If I had shaved it off, I likely would have found his acceptance, but I wasn't willing to do that. When I was selected as pastor, I already had a moustache. I did not concur with the man's assessment. Instead, I was determined to kill him with kindness. Sadly, I wore out before he did.
Of course, I was young and dumb at the time. What I subsequently discovered in the pursuit of life is that you cannot please everyone all of the time. You simply do the best that you can and resolve that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. There will always be someone for whom extra grace is required. Consequently, I just try my best not to be that someone.
In his book entitled "Tuesdays With Morrie," Mitch Album writes: "The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
He drew that conclusion based on the words of Morrie Schwartz, his friend and previous college professor, who figuratively shared this insight on his deathbed: "Death ends a life, not a relationship. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here."
Morrie is right. When you think about the people in your own life who poured meaning, purpose, encouragement and support in your life, many of those people are now on the other side of eternity, but your love for them continues and the influence they made in your life lives on.
All My Best!
Don
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