Horrors! I am getting older, (along with every other human on the planet!) 2016 will be one of those milestone years, and I am already considering how I would like to acknowledge/celebrate my continued existence on Earth. Even though I am not enrolled in any formal school, I like to think that life is just one long string of learning experiences. For the past few years, as anyone who may have taken a peek at some of my past writings/rants, I try for the most part to focus on the positive as a driving force. I do believe that there is an energy about us in the world, and how we project and receive it does affect us. I know when I am having shit thoughts, the whole day, and all the circumstances in it seem to go to pot. An awesome thought is hard to shoot down, and let's just say the whole day goes a hell of a lot better! I'm not saying everything in my life is peachy-keen, but overall, I have to admit I have it pretty good. Pretty good is GOOD, but more and more I am wanting to make things better. Not just for myself. I actively try to seek out ways to make nice things happen for those around me. So, no big deal to buy someone a coffee, share pizza, or give a car-less co-worker a ride home. Some of this comes from personal experience, as I once spent a winter walking to town every day when I had no wheels. If I was offered a "safe ride", you bet your boots I took it thankfully! Other stuff is just consideration for others, if I am in need of a coffee, it's a pretty safe bet someone else would probably appreciate one too!
I just found and posted a thoughtful meme on Facebook about people beating each other to get "stuff", when the day before they sat down to celebrate and be thankful for what they had. If that's not irony, then I really don't know what is. I admit some stuff is nice to have, and I admit, I enjoy my stuff (including this laptop I am using to type and post this.) I also admit that I don't believe stuff trumps people. I cannot fathom trampling and pushing another human being to score something on sale. I keep referencing back to a note I posted on Facebook a couple of years ago, about how I could not believe some people's thought processes when getting ready to go to one of these big shopping events. Why would anyone find it necessary to take weapons and pepper spray to pick up gifts for a holiday that is supposed to be about loving and giving? More irony, I suppose?
I like to think that it is in our nature to be good to one another. After all, humans need other humans to get through life. Being miserable and unfair just makes life more unpleasant for everyone. There is already so much we can't control, like the weather, time, and gravity to name a few. I see so many examples of good when I see benefits and fundraisers for people caught in bad situations. The good intentions are apparent when you see the speed with which these fundraisers are set up. I cannot humanly help them all, but I do try to contribute to as many as I can. What's a $1 here and there? If enough souls do it too, there will be lots of $!
So on the topic of marking another milestone, I am wondering if I should find something to do for someone else, or a cause, or take some time to (selfishly, perhaps) celebrate me? I think this is why I am considering it now, so I have some time to come up with something worthwhile. In the meantime I am doing some research by reading an e-book that caught my interest called F*ck Feelings. The synopsis I read in the article about it made it seem to be the other side of the coin to what I feel and believe. I cannot be well-rounded if I only look at or believe one side of the coin exists. The other side is there, even if I don't want to hear or see what it has to say or show. I think that is a large part of the problem in the world, especially where religion is involved, that people tend to hold on so tight to their own beliefs and values, as if they are the only way.
I may not agree or subscribe to what's been said on the other side of the coin, but I still need to see what's there to at least learn from it, try to understand it, and what the hell--maybe even grow from it. After all life is just one big long learning experience!
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