There's this tiny moment every fall that you'll miss if you aren't paying very close attention. The leaves put on their very best colors for their final curtain call of the season, then they throw themselves recklessly to the ground. That's when my very favorite moment occurs. That very second when the leaves on the ground mirror the exact color of the ones that are still clinging to the trees. It looks like the most fabulously planned confetti throw that has ever happened. I swear it only lasts for about 15 minutes. And by now, where I live anyway, that moment has passed. The leaves on the ground are all brown and crunchy. Some have been swept into piles awaiting the truck that drives around and sucks them all up. And the beautiful show that covers the last of the summery green grass has gone.
With all of the craziness that is happening around us, I wonder how many people slow down long enough to appreciate the shows that are put on for us every day. Have you noticed that there are still beautiful things happening around us? A cold, wet dog nose nudging you so that you'll love on their furry ears. Some stranger with a cart full of groceries letting you check out first with your carton of milk and tub of hummus. A teacher that holds a student while they cry over a heartbreak in their life. The crazy little purple flower that has decided to bloom as it seems to have no idea that the temperature is dropping. People that pray, send positive energy or healing vibes to those that are hurting because they don't know what else to do.
With the recent terrorist attacks in France, I've noticed a lot of people that are "Praying for Paris" and "Praying for Peace." Equally, I have noticed an equal number of people that are furious because these people "aren't praying for the right thing" and "seem to be forgetting what happened in (insert location here)." To the ones that are criticizing...have you ever stopped to think that maybe the person praying or sending energy is frightened and doesn't know what else to do? Do you realize that not everyone can just pick up a weapon and charge head first after a terrorist? And you there - behind your keyboard - what is it that YOU are doing besides criticizing someone that only means to spread good and desperately wants to stop the hatred?
I know - I'm behind a keyboard as well. But I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I am going to continue to scratch my dog's furry ears. She has no idea what is going on in the world, and she needs my love daily just as I need hers. I am going to continue to show love to people around me. Sometimes that means planning ahead so that the man doesn't have to come home and cook himself dinner after he's worked all day. It also means taking the time to bake a batch of cookies for my adult students who have struggles of their own to deal with. I will hug my co-workers because hugs keep us sane some days. I will be present and engaged even as I go about my daily life. It's amazing what you can learn just by smiling at and talking to people at a grocery store! The list could go on forever...but I have work to do.
We don't know when our time is going to be up. While we're here, why not show love and grace? When we show hatred and spew venom, evil wins. I refuse to let evil win. I refuse to let those fleeting moments pass me by without me noticing them. I want to soak in every single good moment this life has to offer so that when my ticket is up I can fully believe that I lived a good life and I have a million good memories. Every laugh, every crinkled nose, every hug, every waggy dog tail, every kitty purr, every shared meal, every helping hand, every show that nature puts on for us...those are the good things. Did you notice that none of those are things you can buy in a store? Can't we all agree to let love win? What was it I heard about "divided we fall?" If we, the ones who want peace, unite against the few who want evil just imagine what we might be able to accomplish! Don't let those fleeting moments pass you by! If you pray, continue to pray. If you send positive energy or healing vibes, continue with these practices. Just keep exuding love!
"If it's not love, stop doing it. Don't change for anybody." Horst Rechelbacher
My best to you always,
Sunny
