I spent 15 years living in what I would consider a big city environment and have said to some that living there cured me of ever wanting to live in a big city again. No offense to all of you that choose to live in one, were born in one, have grown up in one, etc.. There are some wonderful things, wonderful people, wonderful places in each one of them, and I do miss some people and places that I left behind. I just have never really been a city person. I grew up in a small town and now live in a smaller town. I seem to thrive in a less congested, less traffic, less stressful situation.
With that said, I am currently on a trip and will share photos and more of where I am and have been in future blog posts. Today, however, I wanted to share with you thoughts that entered my mind on my travels about things that I observed. You see the closer I got to the bigger cities, to the areas with millions of people, the more I noticed things that many of us do in society, and I began to question the whys and the hows.
Take for instance, why do we drive 100 miles per hour to get to our destination? Knowing we are going to have to slam on our brakes as we approach the bottleneck. Many of us drive without regard for anyone else on the road except ourselves. Another one, why do we do things that are completely uncomfortable for us physically in order for us to be considered cool or trend setters? We act as if we do not care about our own safety, let alone anyone elses. Or why do we continue to make the choice of our careers over the protection of our own well-being and that of others who are our peers or are to follow in our footsteps. I have not figured out the answers to any of these or the answers to the following: How did we get to where we are today? When did we become so detached from each other? and why in the world do we continue to allow, people we are supposed to trust, to further divide us?
I know that as I continue to search for answers, I continue to try to change myself into someone who includes you, or at minimum, thinks about you in the decisions I make, in the road I walk, in the life I live. I am trying desperately to further educate myself to everything in life so that no one has any influence over what I think about you or anyone else. I am also trying to look all of you in the eye when we meet so that you know that I see you and am there to get to know about you and your life. More importantly, I try desperately to be a positive in your day, in hopes that the here that we are all at, will become a more positive place one day.
Among the many things I have learned in my life, there are two I thought I would share. The first is to always be grateful and thankful. If I wake in the morning and am grateful that I live to see another day, then maybe I can be grateful for every other little thing, good or bad, that I must experience in this life. I realize there are reasons for all of it. The other is to try to be beautiful from the inside out. I have learned that those that are beautiful in this way actually radiate and that such radiation enhances their exterior no matter what that looks like.
I keep thinking, that if we can try to remember these two things in our daily lives and possibly act upon them, then maybe our days can begin to get a little bit better. What about you? Do you have your advice to share with all of us? Do you have observances that make you shake your head that you want to share? We are all here, ready and waiting for when you are ready to share whatever is on your mind.
There is no judgement on large cities. From all the homework I have done I believe the big city life, for those who engage in it, is just a major distraction for not working on themselves and going within. I can’t say this about everyone because there are beautiful souls dropped everywhere on this planet to do their incredible work and fulfill missions. I loved Janet’s story. Small random acts of kindness, smiles, and hugs go along way in rejuvenating the spirit. This moment in time is all about healing and knowing that our small efforts matter in the grand scream of things. Small example. I have noticed that people no longer even hold the door for those around them entering a building. I have made it a personal goal to hold doors and with a smile say hello to strangers. We don’t know where others physical limitations and mental stress is at these days. A small gesture, that most take for granted, can make someone’s day. Like Janet says…the selling of tears speaks volumes that no words can muster.
This week I happened to have two separate business interractions on a personal level. The first was selling my retired truck. My plow guy (young gentleman) noticed it parked on the side of the house and reached out to me. I didn’t have a price in mind and made him throw out the first number. Because I know he’s a young hard working kid trying to make ends meet I negotiated down a hundred bucks. I could have used the extra money, but it was clear when I saw the tears weel up in his eyes I did the right thing. He offered me a hug and I reciprocated. $100 was worth the hug and the good feelings that followed.
The second intertaction was when I purchased a hand made sketch of my Mew from a local artist. I knew he and his wife and family years back but hadn’t seen him in almost 10 years. He offered a handshake, and I offered a hug. He accepted the hug and gave one back with enthusiasm and joy. He said it had been a long time since his day started with a hug and he quite enjoyed it. It made for a wonderful.start to both of our days.
A hug goes a long way to bringing back the personal touch and gap the divide.
P.S. Love you sis, and miss you. ♡
All I can say is this is very true. We all need to stop rushing, live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow, know where your going and enjoy it all getting there!