I can take a walk along my city sidewalk and enjoy the houses I see. Their landscaping, flowers, trees, the way the shutters frame their windows, or the curtains hang just so. I see the tiles on their roof tops and the variation of colors painted along side their exterior walls. Today, Fall is at my feet and I kick through it. The sunshine has changed with the season and sun light casts a gentle glow. It is relaxing. A warm cup of coffee between my fingers and I am snug as a bug in my coat and hat. Content.
Am I missing anything? I do miss things.
Do you ever tell your children that people in this world live in shacks? Live on dirt floor dwellings? Never have a hot bath in clean water in the privacy of a soft lit bathroom. I forget at times. I feel bad about that. :-(
America, where things have been undoubtedly questionable. Health care for everyone? Job's moved over seas? Family time cut to a minimum because moms and dads both have to work, or split families make it necessary for parents to work, and work, and work. The cost of living is so high, groceries cost too much, gas is too expensive, the stress on our kids in school is through the roof, the amount of teaching needed at home,... at times it all seems like too much. I think of when I throw my hands up and collapse on the couch with a glass of wine, to STOP the presses! The race...pace life has taken on is.., as Cramer would have said, "Out Of Control!" (Seinfeld) No one can slow down. And don't say you can! Lol. You can't! Our kids are forced to take every extra curricular sport or hobby to the ultimate level. We're over weight. We're depressed as a nation. We're consuming drugs for everything under the sun. Are we falling a part? ...... On a scale of good-bad-and who-the-hell-knows! I'd say...Maybe. :-) lol.
I went on a trip to Europe back in the 90's. With a good friend, we visited a good friend. We visited London England, Paris France, spent many days touring the country of Ireland. It was a neat experience. I would encourage everyone to go on a trip like this. You can't touch it, but the trip has a definite feel to it. It doesn't feel like?...... Hmm, well, ... America.
While I was gone, specific times I missed home. America. When we exited the plane in Chicago I had this immense rush of adrenaline. This amazing feeling of happiness rush through me, because I was home. I knew it. I could feel it. It was on the smiles covering people's faces. It was in the hustle of their footsteps. It was their joyful conversations, their show of emotion through hugs, kisses and hand shakes. I moved freely.
Even today with all that we go through I find most days are good ones. If I have no pain when I wake, I rejoice. If my children are well, I am thankful. If the skies are blue, and gray and clouds crossing the sky are being pushed by the wind, I smile. If my schedule is busy but encourages me to get up, get going, and live, I feel grateful. I'm blessed but have I neglected to think of anything but what I see, feel, hear and surround myself with. Well, why not. After all, what can I do as a sole person living? In regards to my family, my friends, my community, I can do many things. In relation to the world spinning on it's axis, I'm not sure.
Well here's one thing I can do ... I can remember. Remember what others in this world live with every day, and live without. I must not forget that many places in this world are condemned with sickness and disease which Americans have resolved. I must not forget that many places in this world do not have indoor plumbing, heat blowing from vents throughout their homes, a cold refrigerator full of foods, clean bedding to sleep in, clean floors to walk on, shoes to walk in. Electricity to see by, listen to music with, have a hot cup of coffee by. Life in America is grand. We live a spoiled life if you are anything above the homeless. And why is their homeless in our nation. Why have hospitals for the mentally unstable ceased, why do Americans go without food. Why are people dying of painful diseases because they have no health care, why are the jobs of the past gone and passed onto other countries?
The ups, the downs, of human life, do span around the world. They do hit home here in America. It's a contemplative thought. It's a time consuming thought. But if nothing else, I will be grateful for all I have, work diligently for what I need and be compassionate for those who live without. I will remind myself of my blessing, pray for those who need blessings, and remember the world as a whole. I shall turn my narrow view into a wide open view with the kick of the stone.
S.
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