Do you think you are only one person? Do you often say, “What can I do?” “How can I make a difference?” All it takes is one person, with a courageous heart. One person who sees injustice, evil, or a person who needs healing and acts. It takes persistence and an indomitable spirit. Are you that person? Irena Sendler was that person. Watch the 2 minute YouTube video and you’ll discover what one ordinary person did that was by any measure extraordinary. I know she inspired me. I hope she will touch your heart.
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Paying Attention To What Is Important
“We are one, after all, you and I, together we suffer, together exist and forever will recreate each other.” – Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The message in the power-filled quotation by de Chardin is one of community. We are one. We build community by knowing each other in a personal way; by hearing each other’s story; by respecting our difference; by listening to one another. The five minute YouTube video will inspire you to focus on what is important.
Good People Surround Us
Good people surround us. Our world is filled with love. Love will win. It always does in the end. In the following YouTube video, you will feel the love a capacity crowd felt for a man with a disability singing the U.S. national anthem. Once you feel it, your faith in your brothers and sisters will be renewed.
Joy Is Contagious
Joy is contagious. Are you a carrier? All it takes to bring joy is sharing your wonderful gift. Your magical gift, given freely to others to experience and the only reward is to see the joy on the face or faces of those you touched. I smiled throughout this YouTube video. I caught the contagious spreading of joy. I hope you will have a similar experience. Ray
Reading Directions? Who Me?
Three cheers for the weekend! I got two cheers out and then …
“What happened, Ray? What blocked the third cheer? Was it something I said? Something I was I supposed to say but didn’t?”
“Listen up anonymous poster, this blog is not about you. It’s about me.”
“Being kind of self-centered, a self-imposed sense of self-importance, correct me if I’m wrong.”
“Give me a break. I watched the same episode of Dr. Phil as you did. My excuse was that I was at the gym on the elliptical and bored. What was yours?”
“I’ve not known Dr. Phil to ever be wrong. You fit his description. I thought of you as soon he started talking.”
“Why am I talking to you? You can’t talk unless I write down what you’re saying. Go stand in the corner until tomorrow’s post.”
This is what happened to me, an interruption. A good interruption at that. A phone call from a friend. I stop unpacking my new toaster over. My good interruption led me down a path only the foolhardy will follow. It’s called the man path. I’ve been down this path many times. Each time I head down the path, I neglect to read the warning signs left every twenty feet along the path. The warning signs all repeat the same warning.
“Read Directions Before Using.”
I bought a toaster oven. I brought it home in time to put it into action before lunch. How difficult can it be to work a toaster oven? First issue: Taking the toaster oven out of the box. Do I take it out carefully in case I want to return it? Or, do I show the packing and shipping department who’s boss? The answer: it’s easier to recycle in small pieces.
Why is there a plastic wrap around the cord? Is it sterile? Am I not supposed to touch it? Then there is a tiny plastic wire tied around the cord. The poor thing can’t breathe. Off with them. No prisoners. I hope I didn’t hurt the toaster oven. I hope the plug still works.
I’m staring at it. The toaster oven glances over at the directions. I’ve never seen a toaster over glance, but this is the digital age. It’s all possible.
I pick up the directions and flip them into the shredded box pile. Don’t need them. I will never need them. They are there for the insecure. They are there for those who can’t figure things out on the fly. First thing. Plug this baby in. So far so good. Did I need a direction for that? I think not. In fact, I’ll wager the directions say, “Read this before plugging the unit in.” Duuh!
The smoke alarm is peaceful. Hmm, it has a couple of knobs. What’s this tray thing? It must go inside. Okay, Ray, pull the handle down, insert tray thing. What’s this other thing? It looks like a small pan. They probably threw in something extra. I wonder where this was made? I can’t read the writing on the side. It wasn’t made in San Antonio, that’s for sure. If it was, it would have come with an enchilada recipe.
Speaking of such. I pull out a tortilla, put some tuna on it, slice a tomato from my garden and put a few slices on the tuna. I sprinkle it all with nonfat mozzarella. I am admiring my masterpiece. I look in the toaster oven, all I see are grates. You’d think they’d give you a pan. Oh, they did. What did I do with it? Did I take it out to recycle? I know, I’ll put my tortilla on a glass plate. It’s looking good. I wonder what’s a good temperature to do a tortilla? I think I’ll play it cool and put it on broil. I don’t have time to waste. What do you think? Five minutes should do it. I figure out the timer. I have the broiler going. I’m going to chill until I smell the ….
I promise, I promise, I promise, I will read the directions. I think I shredded them.
There are directions important to read.
There are directions important to follow.
There are things we know without having to read or be told to follow: Love everyone, forgive, reconcile whenever possible, and lend a helping hand to all who need one.
Gypsy, The German Shepherd’s Wisdom
I had a German Shepherd. Her name was Gypsy. One of my daughters painted a portrait of Gypsy I keep hanging on a wall. If you’ve had a pet you’ve considered a friend, you can understand the relationship I had with Gypsy.
She was an athlete. She could run with the wind. Catch Frisbees tossed at seemingly impossible angles. I’d toss a tennis ball sixty feet in the air and she’d snag as if she were playing centerfield in the majors. Most of all, Gypsy was a friend. Where I’d go, Gypsy wouldn’t be far behind. I’d often go in the yard with Gypsy to relax. She had a way of helping me forget work and setting aside other things holding my mind captive.
Today, I picture Gypsy lying on the ground in front of me. She has a look in her eye, partly mischevious, partly playful, and always loving. In my mind’s eye, I ask Gypsy, “Tell me about life, Gypsy. You enjoy every moment. What’s your secret?”
Gypsy cocks her head a bit to the side and gives me a quizzical look. She says, “Ray, what’s all the fuss? Lighten up.”
“Easy for you to say Gypsy. Cut me a little slack.”
Gyspy shakes her head, “I’m going to give you special dog secrets.”
I look incredulously at her, “Dog secrets?”
“That’s right, dog secrets. Heads up. If you nod off, I’ll wake you with a ferocious bark.”
“I’m all ears, don’t take that remark personally.”
I think she is smiling. Some claim dogs don’t smile, but I believe Gypsy smiled all the time.
Gypsy says, “Don’t interrupt me. I’m giving you wisdom that’s evolved in the canine breed over ions.”
“I’m waiting.”
“Whenever you get a chance, curl up in the sun and enjoy its warm rays. If you can do it on the sofa, all the better. When someone you love comes through the door, meet them, greet them, and hug them. Whatever food is served, be grateful for it, it’s all good and it’s all going to the same place. Get exercise – plenty of it. Exercise is always better when you’re doing it with someone you love. Most of all, enjoy the moment. Don’t think ahead. Tomorrow comes quick enough. And, be loyal, protect those you love. After all, we’re family. It’s all good, Ray. It’s all good,
Thank you, Gypsy. Thank you for your enduring wisdom.
Love Finds A Way
This past weekend, Mother’s Day, I traveled to Illinois to spend time with a daughter and her family. It’s my first Mother’s Day without Babe. No sadness, a time for celebration for what was, what is, and what will be.
Love finds a way to heal.
Love finds a way to renew.
Love finds a way to rekindle the fire of life.
Love always finds a way through even the darkest of nights.
Love is the beginning, the middle and the new beginnings of all things.
Love Finds a way
Always trust love.
The Power of Family
“That’s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you’re not so lovable.” ― Deb Caletti
“I sustain myself with the love of family.” ― Maya Angelou
A family has always been a big deal for me. When I was growing up, it was a place I called home. I felt wanted, loved, and encouraged. Was it perfect? Not by any measure. We all held our measure of imperfection. It didn’t matter, it was family. Mom and dad always held an open door and waited for me with open arms.
When I married Babe, we decided we would be a family filled with love. We wanted our five girls to know their mom and dad loved each other and modeled their love for them. We loved, we laughed, we celebrated, we cried, and we forgave. Through it all, we remain a family.
All through Babe’s suffering and death, the five girls rallied around me. They sustained me. They did it because that is what loving families do.
All through my grieving period, their love was the foundation from which I gleaned strength, courage, and determination to go on. Why? Because it is what loving families do.
Family is the place we come from and where we feel we can always return.
Family is the place where, in spite of differences, when the chips are down, we count on each other.
Not everyone has the same experience of family as I did. It is never too late to create a sense of family. It takes two people who care deeply about each other. Two people who dare venture into tomorrow. And, two people who will always have each other’s back. I found strength in my large family. I hope you find strength in your family.
Mother’s Day Is Every Day
“The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” — Honore’ de Balzac
Two experiences of mother. Life was never so formal for me. It was always mom. Mom, my first teacher. Mom, the woman who taught me to pray. Mom the woman who loved me from the moment of my conception until the day she died. Mom, who prays for me from her heavenly space. Thank you mom – your gift always remembered. Your gift, I am always grateful. Your gift, life itself.
My second experience gives witness to another mom, my wife Babe. Never complaining. Always loving. Holding each daughter as if she were the only one. A gentle love. A gentle toughness. Arms open wide to wherever the girls’ journey took them. I learned kindness, gentleness, compassion, and forgiveness by witnessing this mom in action. Grateful Babe – Always grateful. Your gift, life itself.
Happy Mother’s Day to All Mothers – The Glue That Holds Us Together.
The Power of Love
“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.” – Albert Einstein
I am a guy dancing alone. In reality, I’m only alone if I choose to be alone. I am surrounded by great neighbors. I have great friends. I have wonderful daughters and grandchildren. Everywhere I travel I meet good people, kind people, compassionate people.
I am attempting the absurd, as Einstein says – I am proving to myself and to all who share a similar journey, suffering doesn’t have the last word. Love has the last word. Despair has no place in the conversation. Love is the conversation. Sorrow will not triumph. Love will triumph over all.
Yes, believing in the awesome, healing, renewing, recreating power of love is absurd. It is the path I follow to achieve the absurd.
