“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.” Maya Angelou
If we take ourselves too seriously we never enjoy what is valuable and right in front of us. We spend so much time with menial jobs and plans. Of course our designs at times fail due to weather, unforeseen problems, illness, and many more. It is frustrating to us to work on strategies, and then watch them fall apart at the last minute. That should tell us something about what we value.
If such a dilemma throws us so badly that we confront others in anger and despair, we are placing an importance on material things and happenings that really don’t amount to much. A cancelled summer party is upsetting, after having labored for weeks only to be let down by the weather. Maybe it was more important for us to spend time with another individual. We can’t always understand the reasons behind what happens in our lives, both good and bad.
I sometimes believe at those moments when nothing makes sense I must be being saved from saying or doing something I might have regretted. It sounds silly and simple but many things are simple. I remember one time misplacing the keys. I never do that. I searched and searched and was despairing how late I was for my car appointment. When I finally found the keys and drove the normal route to the garage, I discovered there was a very serious car accident. I had goosebumps when I realized I would possibly have been involved, had I not misplaced my keys.
How many times I ventured to a party I did not want to attend, and then had an awesome time. I know all of us can recite such incidences if we pay attention. I venture to say I want to pay attention to the small inconsequential things, that happen daily. They perhaps might be the monumental happenings of our life. Instead of being caught up in worldly procedures, we must be attuned to the idiosyncratic motions of daily living. Rolling with changed plans, allows us to watch for more important things. It isn’t the end of the world to have the picnic cancelled no matter how long we planned it. On the other hand, we should limit the time we give to unimportant matters, and pay heed to the secrets life is showing us.
We have all been frustrated by changed plans and opportunities no doubt. It is relevant to distinguish what is important in our lives from what is fluff. We want to give more attention to what matters instead of filling our agendas with trivial jobs. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily menial tasks of life. Separating real truth from fiction, will keep us on the right track. We gain more insight when we begin to discover the truth around us, which isn’t hidden but sometimes dismissed.
Focusing on worthier issues, promotes more flexibility in our lives. A broken promise makes us angry or frustrated only if we allow it.. Changed plans will not cause us to fall apart in confusion. We will be more composed due to our acceptance of minor irritations. We will change in more profound ways. Synchronicity is all around us. We just need to know where to look, what to look at, and have faith that nothing in our lives is accidental. Our life has meaning. We will never be disappointed again, just reflective as we attempt to comprehend our life’s meaning and messages. We can’t worry over the minor paraphernalia, because it leaves us no time for the vital details.
“If we would just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand the way other people feel and be less
quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in
our lives like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with
respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special
dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read
with your life’s actions to rehash would you be proud of the things
they say about how you spent your dash?” Linda Ellis, Mac Anderson
