How’s everyone doing?
According to the Christian calendar, it is the year 2009. Time, as we all know, is a man-made invention, so for all we know, it could 15674 in some other calendar. It really doesn’t matter, except that it’s a convenient way to mark the long march of one’s life from cradle to grave.
How is everyone doing? Personally, I’m doing rather well, thank you very much. I have a job (for which I thank my boss every day); I have two sons who love me, and who have turned out halfway decent. (I could have done a better job, but then, I think every parent thinks the same thing.) I have my health, food on my table, and a roof over my head. I am doing better than most, and every day that I open my eyes, I thank God (or Providence or Fate or Allah or whatever name you choose) for what I have and I commit myself every day to making myself a little bit better than I was the day before.
So many people that you encounter p*** and moan about this and that and the other thing. To them, I always say, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The quote is Gandhi’s, but I’m certain he won’t deny me the privilege of using it. Gandhi was cool that way. I, for one, am constantly trying to live the life I’ve imagined. I ask myself, "How can I get what I want and need without hurting anyone else?" You’d be amazed at the number of things you can accomplish when you put your mind to it.
Do I get discouraged? Certainly! I’m human, after all. I get discouraged; I get down; I get depressed. What I don’t do is wallow in my sorrow. There is no reward in it. Negativism breeds more negativism. Despondency breeds depression which in turn plants the seeds of self-hate. We’ve got enough problems to deal with without adding that worry to our lives. Who, I ask you, needs that kind of baggage? I’m willing to bet no one.
So do yourself a favor. Count your blessings instead of your sheep. (Thank you Bing Crosby.) Look around and be grateful for what you have, however small and humble that something may be. There is always someone worse off than you are. And when you discover that person, do him a good turn. It will benefit the both of you.
January 16, 2009 at 12:26 am
Glad to hear you’re doing well. It’s that kind of thinking that got me throught probably the most miserable time of my life in OTS (that’s officer training school for you non military types). Every day above ground is a good day!