"Just for Today!"

 Yup, "How are you?" is a question I have been asked many, many times in the past two months? I wonder, "How am I supposed to be: sad? feeling sorry for myself? in a heap of tears?"  I really don't know but I read something today that being happy is a decision. And I have made that decision! This is "just for today!"

My past plays a huge part in this decision. I have had two motivators in my life:  my mom and my sister in law; both are at opposite ends of the spectrum of coping after their spouse died. One sat on the couch, refused offers to "go", the other never declined any invite.  Observing the difference was like night and day.  

Yes, I can tap into sadness, loneliness, tears or depression but I would rather have more energy and be happy. It's a decision.  Activities, friends, phone calls, meaningful appointments with my spiritual direction business...it all gives me meaning and purpose in my day and life.

Yes, age creeps in and some of my friends have health challenges, which concern me,  but for today "there is nothing major going on" is a mantra that helps me stay in the present.  Just for today.  Tomorrow is a different day but all I have right in front of me is today!  

  

Sow...not Sew

We never know what good we are sowing in this world.  Ever think about that? Sometimes we think of what we may reap but how about what we sow. This is not the same as sewing a hem...it's much bigger! Words we say, people we call, cards we send, gestures of good will, the ways are unlimited to sow and make the world a better place.

My best friend today just shared what she told her M.D. after the doctor asked how she was able to maintain such a positive attitude, in spite of numerous, frequent and challenging healthcare issues.  Well, she shared that her best friend's phone calls cheer her up and make her laugh. 

That amazes me because that has never been my purpose with my phone calls; usually the calls come out of my own need to connect with someone. Lo and behold we are really helping one another! Sometimes, little do I realize how my action helps someone else!

This all makes me think of my little garden when I plant seeds in the spring.  I never know if or how the bean plants or tomatoes will produce.  I just plant. And results are not immediate...it all takes time.

Most of us have been told that every action has a reaction. That in itself sounds good but how often to we hear, see or experience the reaction? Have any of you been told directly what good you could do with a simple action of "showing up" someplace that you would rather have not attended.  Seeing a situation from another perspective can certainly help us to see life from the other side; it can even bring some meaning and purpose into our life.

So, who would ever think that indeed there is much good being sown with our actions:  a simple phone call, a card or a kind gesture.  When a person asks us to consider a gesture that we may originally balk at, with this new perspective, we may think twice because of the good it may do.  Remember, for every action, there is a reaction!   And any good that we can do... 

Courtesy of Pixabay

Time

 Have you ever experienced your life being changed in a way that you sit and ponder your time?  Time in a day, a week, a year; what will you do to make time meaningful, not only to yourself but to others? Sometimes, with more time on your hands you end up doing "nothing" rather than feeling productive and useful? 

There are certainly days when we all wish we had more time, that there seems to be too much on our "plate". That happens probably to all of us but I'm speaking in a sense of finding meaning and purpose with our time, not just doing "busy" stuff.

Yes, now I have "time" to open my schedule to do more spiritual direction, taking more clients. And the way Covid brought some benefits, distance is no longer of concern with online capability with Zoom, Messenger or Duo, making it seem like a 1:1 personal appointment. 

I know personally the benefit of spiritual direction and those who seek it for themselves also know that benefit of being able to talk with a trained spiritual director so if you or someone else would like to consider it, certainly call to set up an appointment, (920.793.3530). 

We can each find meaning and purpose in our day, no matter what our circumstances.  Many of my friends have found volunteering to be very rewarding, now that they have retired or have become widows/widowers. Yes, circumstances change, of which some may fight it, but there still is opportunity to find meaning and purpose with our time!  If time hasn't run out for you, maybe it's time!

Courtesy of Pixabay