Perception

I don't know why, but lately most everything, even the ordinary things, strike me as blessings. Perhaps I am developing a greater understanding of the world. Perhaps I am developing a greater understanding of myself. Perhaps it's both. Perhaps it's neither.

When I park further away from the door in the parking lot for extra exercise I'm thinking about how lucky I am that I have the ability to walk. When I listen to the spring birdsong I am grateful my ears work properly. When I'm squinting against the sun I am reminded how fortunate I am to see. When I wake in the middle of the night because I am too warm with all of my blankets I remember millions are sleeping unprotected outdoors, having no home or pillow to call their own.

My life is good. My life, simple as it is, consists of the things many dream and hope and pray for. I have a loving family. I have a home. I have a job that pays the bills and leaves a little left over. I am relatively healthy. I have good friends. I have experienced sorrow but never tragedy. I have nearly limitless choices regarding who I want to be and what I want my life to mean. I can speak as I want to speak and believe as I want to believe without fear of retribution or persecution. I have the freedom to travel where I like when I like. I can love whomever I want to love.

I am not so naive as to believe my life will always be this good. Trials will come. Suffering will occur. Difficult situations and decisions will present themselves. Hearts will break and tears will be shed. Pain, doubt, and anger will crowd out peace, trust, and joy. Faith will falter.

I pray that when life becomes hard I will remember to see the blessings. I hope I never become so selfish and self-involved that I stop looking outside myself. And may I always remember that true grace requires active practice.

Love!

~g