A Life Well Lived

Sunday mornings, I often find myself watching a segment Willie Geist presents called, "A Life Well Lived". The stories are heartening of the accomplishments of a wide range of individuals who have charted a path that left an indelible impression in the world of music, business, acting, writing, and more.
I like the segment. The tributes are lovely and appear to be well-deserved honors at the time of their deaths. 

Then comes Monday, and I mow the grass and buy groceries and clean the house and cook supper and maybe bake some cookies. That is followed by Tuesday when I reopen the repair shop for the week, and this time of year in my spare time, I find myself sweeping winter oak leaves out of the parking lot to make sure the building looks clean and presentable to our customers and renters. I have a loud blower, but I would rather sweep.  I find myself in quiet thoughts as I sweep, and I find myself flooded with appreciation for the simplest activity that reminds me how closely I am tied to the seasons and the concrete and the humanity that flows in and out of my life, and I am thankful. Thankful that I have, in my eyes but maybe not the worlds, so much to care for and nourish. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my past choices, both good and bad, that led me to this place, and I am in awe of a God who speaks to my heart through a ratty, black broom and a pile of oak leaves. I think I can say, I have a life well-lived. I wish I could share that peace with everyone. 

Find solace in this day. There is good all around you. Open your eyes to it.
Peace.
Love, Linda

Brighten the Corner Where You Are

In our challenge to give life meaning, many now turn more to media for guidance than to spiritual endeavors. There are some legitimate reasons this switch has occurred, but it appears it may be more to our detriment than good. For some reason, we have decided that if our life is less than the glamorous life shown us on Facebook, the movies or the news, we have somehow failed to live a meaningful life. We believe that ascribing to greatness must mean an abundance of likes and more clicks than our friends and family, which have strangely become competitors. Blah, blah, blah. It sounds as if I do not believe in aspiring to be a star. If that is your calling, go for it, but don't feel that it is your calling because someone else says it is. The majority of people on this earth live relatively simple lives, and many of them who were remembered for greatness posthumously, barely made a ripple in the puddle of their time.

In our quest for meaning, the earth, it seems, has become more frightening to both humans and animals.  Although, I am sure a dinosaur would scare the heck out of me! In our country and many others, we presently have chaotic, untrustworthy and even evil leaders. Oh, wait, we have had those in the past. Stability seems out of our grasp, literally for many, considering the number of earthquakes, fires, and storms. Oh, we have had those in the past. Animal species are dying at an incredible pace, what dinosaurs?, and in some countries, people cannot breathe the air where they live without a mask. It sounds horrible and overwhelming. However, the world has always been riddled with problems. That is because humans supervise it.  And, because we made this mess, we can fix it. We have all of the answers inside us and Grace to guide our path. I like to think of a little chorus from a hymn Mama used to play on the piano. We sang it in church years ago. The words may appear stodgy and jaded, but it is a lovely thought. It is how we begin the process of fixing the messes we have made, and we all have the capability of doing our part because it is simple, "brighten the corner where you are." God will do the rest.

Peace. Love, Linda

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4. Brighten the Corner Where You Are
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6. Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
   Do not wait to shed your light afar;
   To the many duties ever near you now be true,
   Brighten the corner where you are.
   • Refrain:
     Brighten the corner where you are!
     Brighten the corner where you are!
     Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
     Brighten the corner where you are!
7. Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
   Let not narrow self your way debar;
   Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
   Brighten the corner where you are.
8. Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
   Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
   Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
   Brighten the corner where you are.