Spicewood Vineyards, in Spicewood, Texas.
We have so much going on right now in Austin, with the challenges of feeding and housing our homeless, supporting our elderly and shut ins, and of course, the Hidden Pines Fires out in Bastrop. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes or are displaced and worrying over the possibility of losing their home. I pray for the firefighters, that all will stay safe and unharmed.
This week I’ve had several friends grieving over loved ones and animal friends who passed, and my husband received news of his former work associate, who succumbed to complications of diabetes during what should be the prime of his life. I’ve talked to friends who are going through a rough patch in life, and regret seems to be a common theme. With all this weighing on my mind, I wrote a post this week on my personal Facebook page that I consider my doctrine to live by. I’ve decided to share it with you.
Live your life in a way that when you close your eyes at night you are happy, whole, and content. Love yourself and others. Build up your fellow humans, whether or not you have an issue with the shade of their skin, the deity they worship (or don’t), the person they love and romance, and their politics (this one is hard). Seek out the positive in the world, because all the news media and plenty of the people in our lives will highlight the negative for you.
Be kind. Laugh, a lot. Teach your children or somebody else’s children that the Beatles were right, all you need is love (the rest will follow). Love yourself, or at least start learning how to do so. You can’t take good care of anyone if you don’t take care of yourself first. Do something good for your community. Spend some time as a volunteer, for a cause you believe in.
If you find yourself feeling chaotic and overwhelmed, schedule a vacation. It doesn’t have to be long, or expensive. Spend time outdoors where nature is larger than your self, and you can reconnect to the soul of our world. Your life’s too busy? Go into your backyard at dusk and lean against a tree. Feel how warm it is from the sun, how hard and strong the trunk is, and how tall it grew. Marvel at that big tree, so much bigger than you. Give yourself a moment to realize that natural miracles like a seed sprouting happen every day, and one day that tiny seed is a majestic tree. What tiny seeds should you be sprouting?
Unplug. I know it’s hard. Trust me, I know. Let yourself feel tiny and insignificant as you stand on the shore of a large lake, or vast ocean. Let yourself feel powerful and strong as you care for a young child or baby animal. Or, what the heck, let yourself feel powerful and strong as you bring hot tea or aspirin to your life partner when they aren’t feeling well. Read a book, in hardback or paperback, instead of on an electronic device, preferably while in a hammock or lying on a blanket outdoors.
Most of all, live your life in a way that is meaningful. If something needs doing, do it. Think of your place in our society and find a way to make one small difference. If you can’t imagine that, then think of how you can make small, positive differences in the lives of those you love, your family and friends. Be the beacon of love, or at least the beacon of true friendship for someone, and illuminate their dark moment so that the shadows are, if not chased away, held at bay.
Worried about the government? Vote. Do you long for the “good ole days” when you knew all your neighbors? Grab a sixer of local craft beer and go introduce yourself. Make a difference. Smile at strangers. You never know whose life you may uplift, or how much a small kindness may mean. Take a stand. Change maybe not the world, but your part of it. Live, and love.
For information on how to assist those who’ve been displaced or lost their home due to the Hidden Pines Fire, please visit the Texas Fire Walkers page, or refer to this Statesman article.
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