The Miracle of the Shoes

The old adage of waiting for the other shoe to drop was one used by a bunch of us in an email support group years ago where, because of difficulties outside of our control, we seemed to get hit with crisis’s all too often without any warning.

In the last year or so I’ve been the beneficiary of quite a number of shoes. You’d think they would have to run out, or at least get to the slipper section over time, however with every shoe that drops, a new pair miraculously appears precariously positioned over my head, just high enough to give a good wallop when it too falls, and we are talking about good solid footwear.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Happy Birthday To Me

Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday to me
Happy birthday dear me
Happy birthday to me!

Why am I singing happy birthday to myself when so many wonderful friends and family wished me happy birthday, both online and in person? Well, it’s really very simple. With all the doubts, depressions and fears I’ve had this year, if I don’t cheer for myself, then I can’t really accept and appreciate all the love and support I’ve received from everyone else. And cheering for myself has not been very easy. Like most everyone on earth, I am highly critical of myself. I never seem to feel totally confident in my decisions, am a bit insecure in social situations, and between my body being disfigured surgically and the changes age and weight gain has made, can’t say I like what I see in the mirror.

However, I need to remind myself that decisions are just choices, and choices are just different paths along the road of life. Being good in social situations doesn’t really change who am as long as I continue to strive to be true to my core values, show loving kindness to the world around me and be respectful of others. And as far as mirrors are concerned, it’s just a piece of glass. Throw a rock at it and it shatters easily into a million different pieces. Throw a rock at me, and if I don’t duck in time, it will hurt, but whatever damage it may cause can be healed with time and good medical care.

Birthdays remind me that I’m getting older, but getting to be old is a goal not a dread!  Yet, since getting old is not a guarantee (it really isn’t for anyone), I also try to celebrate each and every day. The challenge is to find the joy hidden in the drudgery of a daily routine, to feel love through the mundane conversation with a family member or friend, to find peace in the middle of a crowd, and to seek tranquility in your small backyard patio. Take a moment to watch a dog taking a cat nap on your sofa while you sit and watch the nightly news, or a cat doggedly chasing the roach trying to hide under your kitchen sink. They know to take advantage of any opportunity to rest or entertain themselves, and they don’t feel guilty about it. They have so much to teach us, and we, as a species, have so much to learn! Appreciate the little things because they can be found all around you. The big things in life happen, but infrequently and not always as you had hoped. A good cup of morning coffee or a quite conversation about plans for the upcoming weekend happen all the time and if you let them, can inspire in you a little joy, a bit of love, or other feelings you think only the big events to bring you.

Sing to yourself next time on your birthday, say out loud that you appreciated spending the day with yourself, smile at the beautiful person looking back at you in that mirror. Live as if everyday is your last, love like time will stand still and keep your dreams close to your heart.
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