THIRTY

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Charles R. Swindoll

I first heard this years ago. I didn’t understand it. I thought it was the opposite. Now I know. Life happens, but how it happens to me is up to me. I can take everything as a challenge or an opportunity. As a problem or as a chance to find a solution. As a setback or as a lesson that will help me along the way. This too shall pass, the good, the bad, and the ugly all eventually end. It is my job to get what I can out of each of them while they are in my life.

TWENTY-NINE

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Walt Disney

                             

I am an excellent talker. My aunt once told me she knew I was a member of the family because if I could talk long enough, I could fibber my way out of anything. Well, she didn’t say fibber.

But she was right. Given enough time I could spin a good story full of interesting details and twists that would leave you so entertained by the time we were done you had forgotten I was supposed to be getting in trouble for something. The real trouble with this is it never accomplished anything, well, except getting me out of trouble.

Today if I want to accomplish something, I have to remind myself to quit talking about it and get busy doing it. Thanks Walt. We’re all glad you began doing and never stopped.

TWENTY-EIGHT

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child. Dr. Seuss

I love Dr. Seuss books. My favorite growing up was Fox in Sox. It was a tongue twister that no one else was really good at reading. It became my favorite to read to friends’ children. I like to give children’s books to adult friends as presents for milestones too. They often seem more pertinent then other things. Plus, it reminds them, I hope, to read to a child, even if it’s the child within.

I have never had a child say, “You’ve read too much to me.” I remember babysitting three boys who used to beg me to do the funny voices. I hope that when they read to their children they are using all those funny voices.

When life feels out of place for me, I go to the library. I listen to a child being a little too loud as they explain how many books they need this week. I can always find a peaceful, joyful, adventuresome place at the library, in a book.

TWENTY-SEVEN

The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith

proudly displayed in Mother Teresa’s Calcutta’s Children’s Home.

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

The reason I love these, the reason they make sense, is because how I feel about me and my actions or how my God feels about me and my actions is much more important than those who knowingly or unknowingly destroy, belittle, or hate.

TWENTY-SIX

You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.

Thank God. I used to think I did. I used to think it was my job to set you straight, or prove I was right, or just argue the other side to see if you were really strong about what you felt or just wishy washy like most people I knew.

Now, even if I want to convey my opinion, I often don’t bother unless specifically asked. I don’t enjoy the drama. I have plenty of things to do, things I want to do. It is no longer necessary for me to expend my time and energy on something about which I am not passionate. I don’t accept every invitation I get to dine out because I have to be prudent with my resources. Why would I waste them on an argument?

I’ve also learned, if I find myself in anything I didn’t intend to get in, especially an argument, I can leave. There is no rulebook that says I have to stay.

TWENTY-FIVE

I am.

Two of the most powerful words; for what you put after them shapes your reality.

Don’t call me a princess. I’m a sheildmaiden.

You’re a ghost driving a meat coated skeleton made from stardust, what do you have to be scared of?

Some days I just need a pick me up, a few words that make me feel good. Words that remind me I am special. I am important to someone. I am loved. Sometimes those words can be ones I here all the time but they bring a special comfort. The words of the weekly healing service often do that for me.

Then there are those silly words, sometimes from my favorite book or poem. “Not all those who wander are lost.”

Of course, there are the best ones; they come across the screen of my phone as a text from my niece. “You’re so strong.” “I’m glad I got to speak with you.” “I love you.”