If you’re like me, the thought of having one more thing to do or one more thing to keep track of adds to the overwhelm of a full-enough schedule. And so I’m looking for a gentler way to move toward life as I think it should be lived.
The vulnerability needed in showing love to others requires me to recognize that my worldview isn’t the only one, and it is biased, based on my temperament, education, and life experiences. Yours is, too.
Someone had to make an effort to create that beauty. Someone or someones had a vision for what this Festival of Lights might bring to our little community as well as the rural folks living nearby.
We must interrogate the stories we tell ourselves so that we avoid embarrassing ourselves and hurting others. Though blaming someone else for our troubles is an easier path, it rarely solves the problem, and it keeps us stuck in a cycle of irresponsibility.
I told myself a story that wasn’t true based on my interpretation of what I read and my own personal lens. I deceived myself by believing what I wanted to believe.
The dogs were happy; in fact, they were excited to be outside, moving and smelling all the wonderful things the world had to offer. Their joy in being alive and walking was not diminished in the least.
In an effort not to be lazy, we push ourselves to do more and rest less. Our standards for what we think we should accomplish in one day far exceed our time and energy.
I told her nothing of importance, but everything I said was important. It helped her know she was not alone, just like my mom helped me all those years before.