Ever The Optimist

I believe.

I believe the next year will be better than any of my previous forty plus years.  I have had the utmost luck at life getting better as I get older.  Every single year has proven to hold blessings and wonders.  Without fail.  It shall continue.  I call dibs.

I believe that I will ride my bicycle even more this year than last.  I voluntarily reduced my riding joys to tend to other matters of living.   That’s okay.  And I’ll do it again if needed.  But for right now the plan is to ride Mamo ride.  Again, dibs.

I believe I might try something new this year.  I don’t know what.  I just have a funny feeling there might be something I haven’t tried yet.  So, there it is, if I haven’t tried it then I must.

I believe I will learn a little more about those I know, learn a little bit about those I don’t know at all, and do my best to leave a smile or a good thought about myself with total strangers I pass with a smile.  Or who drop in here by accident for a quick look see.

I believe in the absolute goodness of all of us.  I don’t believe for one minute we are on the verge of destruction.  Because when called upon, even the  most timid of us will rise up to help one another long before we would open our mouths to speak out in anger.

I believe that one day, soon, and again, common sense will reign!  I believe it because it just makes sense.  We can only tolerate the absurd for so long.  It will run it’s course.  And again the sense we were born with will matter, and play a part in the running of our own worlds.   It will happen.   I think this calls for another dibs.

I believe the children who are our future?  They are the children of loving, attentive, involved and diverse parents.   I believe in the parents I know.  I believe because I know.  I’m impressed.   And they give me hope.

I believe the world is full of intelligent and accepting people.  World wide.  I believe this because the world full of such diverse people?  They are reading and learning about one another.  And they like one another.   Somebody should put the bloggers in charge of human relations.

I believe I will create something this year.  Something with words.  Something with wood.  Something with macaroni.  Who knows.  But I will create.  Good or bad.

I believe there will be healing because there are those committed to curing.

I believe there will be trusting because there are those who are willing to take that chance.

I believe there will be wonderful inventions because there are those who are curious and willing to try.  There are those with brains that work differently and brilliantly.

I believe there will be adventures lived and shared with joy.  Because there are those who are willing to take risk and face some fears.

I believe there will be happy hearts in quiet homes because there are those who’s total joy lies within the walls of their humble homes.  And are held fast by the love of their life.   And that is the total of their needs, risks and wants.

I believe there will be awareness of the importance of what we have.  Because we know how quickly it can be gone.  And we will appreciate all that we do have.  And all that we love.

I believe in me.

I believe in you.

I believe in us.

I believe this will be a very good year indeed.

In Front Of His Mirror

I watched the video made by 18 year old Ben Breedlove just days before he died.  If you haven’t watched it go here:

Ben Breedlove

I’ve watched it a couple of times.

Though I was moved by all he shared with us I can’t get one statement he wrote, out of my head.

“I then looked at myself in the mirror, I was proud of myself.”

I keep thinking of that young man, that child-reflecting on his life.  And feeling good.  It made me feel good.  About him.  About what he believes in.  About what I believe in.

But then I pictured myself in front of his mirror.

What would I see?

I don’t always feel good about what I’ve done.

If I reviewed my life like Ben did I would have many instances, many moments where I could have done better.  I don’t mean in reflecting and in hindsight I would have done differently, or better.  I mean when I lived the moment and made poor choices knowing then that there were better ways of acting, better ways of being.  Those are the moments I can’t blame on youth, or ignorance, or righteousness.  Sometimes, sadly, we-at least I-, know I could have and should have made better choices.  And I chose the bad.   The negative.  The wrong.    They aren’t even moments that always involved  outward actions.   Aren’t the things that matter about us important even if no one else knows about them?   The mutterings under our breath.  Our unspoken, but unkind, thoughts.  Our selfish acts in the light of other’s needs.   Talking unkindly about others, with others.  Not doing, when something needs done.

How do I think that I belong among those who do and did live an exemplary life and did their very best to always be good.  There are those who live good and Godly.  I know people who are shining examples of ‘do unto others’.   And I respect them.  Admire them.  If I know I do not live as I should why do I expect to reap the rewards?

Because I do expect it.  Well, maybe I don’t expect it so much as I hope for it.

He believes in God and angels.  As do I.

So why do I make the decisions I make.  Why do I live life without every effort to be that good.

Why live negatively.  Why is negative ever a choice.  A decision.

When I want to live eternally in His positive light.

It doesn’t make much sense.

I want to stand in reflection of my life and look back and be very proud of what I’ve done.

Like Ben did.

What a gift he was to his family.  What a beautiful gift he left his family.

What a lesson he is to me.

Thank you Ben.

I take peace and comfort from your gift.   And I hope to live my lesson by living better.