Osama bin Laden is dead. That is not what this post is about, specifically, but it's what the news was talking about when I had the proverbial 'aha' moment I would like to write to ya'll about.
As the TV in my mom's hospital room played All Osama All Day I overheard a newscaster's comment about all those people going on with their normal lives had a plane not crashed into their office building.
Normal lives.
Normal lives.
What does that mean, I thought. I pictured people going home to their families...the same dissatisfaction; the same ordinary, passionless lives they may have been living. With no idea they had just been spared to live another day. Another year. A lifetime.
That's not to say there weren't plenty of people who were happy, living their dreams, appreciating their blessings, loving their families. But that's not who I thought of. I thought of the ones who were contemplating divorce, hurting their children, taking poor care of their bodies, searching for peace and coming up empty. I thought of those who felt like life isn't worth it or thought their problems unsolvable. And even those who were happy-ish; who had a pretty okay life, good friends, a happy family, but still forgot sometimes the beautiful gift that life truly is. I thought of my family and friends, my neighbors, myself.
How do we know we weren't just spared some horrible fate today or yesterday or ten years ago? Actually, I'm pretty sure we were. At some point we've probably all had the divine intervention that saved our physical lives whether we're aware of it or not.
So, how do I muster the kind of gratitude that propels me to 'live like I was dyin'' right in the middle of my ho-hum, blahbity-blah life? I'm not sure. I'm pondering. I'm ruminating. I'm trying to get there. I want to feel like I was just spared my own, personal 9/11 without having to experience the tragedy of it.
Okay, I just realized I need to be very careful what I wish for. I'm certainly not asking for a reality check. What I'm trying to do is avoid the necessity of a reality check.
On paper, I think I have just about the most ideal life a person could possibly be blessed with. So, why is it so hard to live in a state of heightened gratitude? Still working on that. But I'm surely going to try. 'Count Your Blessings.' Is it as simple as that? Maybe so. I'm going to give it a try and see what happens.
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6 comments:
I love this and YOU!!
First of all, I've realized for some time that I'm not in charge. I have to put down my head & move forward and when things happen (hopefully GOOD) I have to lift my eyes for support & guidance.
I don't think it's day to day. I think its a totally unbreakable no calendar involved lesson.
You're pretty doggone real Kimi. Don't be so tough. Well I mean you have to be tough, but when you are tough, then things aren't ever simple & ---
oh forget it.
ok that was extremely profound Kimi. I am sure we will look back and be amazed how many times we were spared because our life wasn't supposed to end yet. And then we take it for granted, and even complain. Deep. Thank you for making me think
Wow KD, profound. I've never thought of it in that way. ha ha lol-ed at the "passionless lives comment".
P.S. No more DOTS. I think you need chocolate. Now.
Thanks Kimi, good thing someone is thinking clearly around here, because I usually am not!
P.S. you are the word verification queen. DITICIDE, if I was cleaver like you I would come up with something funny but really I can't diticide what it would be.
Wow, profoundness. I have to say that even a person like me, who knows her life has been spared on more than one occasion, can get caught up in the rush, rush everyday stuff and forget her blessings. I do think it is those who actively love their family and friends that win the prize for most grateful and joyful. And guess what? You get that prize! That's totally you. So you lucky, happy, wonderful person, don't be hard on yourself.
And btw, this reminded me of a story I read in the paper (can't remember the author). A friend of the author takes a totally optimistic twist on everything that happens in her life. When she's late to something, or stuck in traffic, she tells herself that she was probably just saved from the horrible accident she WOULD have had if her plans had been on schedule.
Keep up the writing you're fabulous!
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