Wonderful Spring Day

Hi again friends. Welcome to this wonderful spring day as March 2021 is moving us fast into warmer days of sunshine and renewed hope. As I reflect today on this past year with spring upon us, I note that it’s been a long winter, a long year no doubt. A year like no other. A year where our resolve has been tested and great virtues have been practiced most likely.

We have all had to dig deep and persevere with patience, self discipline, tolerance, inconveniences, self sacrifice and compromise that this pandemic has tested us to cultivate more intentionally within ourselves.

Today, as “MJ’s Food For Thought” I want to share a post I came across that resonated with me about a senior who was turning 80 who was asked by a friend what sort of change he is feeling within himself over this past year. Here is what he said.

1) After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.

2) I have realized that I am not an “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.

3) Many people think the grass is greener somewhere else but the grass is greener where you water it.

4) I have stopped bargaining with vegetable and fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but I might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

5) I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.

6) I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane and relive their past.

7) I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more perfect than perfection.

8) Giving thanks warms the soul and reminds us that life is an extraordinary privilege. Joy doesn’t come from having but from appreciating what we have.

9) I give complements freely and generously. Complements are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a complement, never, NEVER, turn it down, just say “Thank you”.

10) I have never learned to bother about a crease or spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.

11) I walk away from people who don’t value me. They may not know my worth, but I do and so does God.

12) Discipline is a gift we give ourselves. Every aspect of the human person thrives on discipline and relationships are no different.

13) I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.

14) I am learning not to be embarrassed by my feelings and emotions. It’s my feelings and emotions that make me human.

15) The greatest gift we can give another person especially in our closest relationships, is to allow him or her to simply see us for who use are, with our strengths and weaknesses, faults, failings, flaws, defeats, talents, abilities, achievements and potential. Being vulnerable and realizing that you are loved unconditionally is a beautiful thing.

16) I have learned to live each day as if it’s my last. After all, it might be my last.

17) The most important things in life are almost never urgent.

18) Life is about how you love and hurt the people close to you. Life is about how you love and hurt the people who just cross your path for a moment. Life is about love.

19) I am choosing to love unconditionally by my actions the closest people in my life surrounding me. Love is a choice. You can love and be loved, just choose it.

20) Finally, remember this in this crazy world. It is those things that are unchanging that allow us to make sense of change. So, at a time when change in our world has never been more constant or intense, what is unchanging is more valuable than ever.