The Joy of Living

The Joy of Living is one of the most elusive of all endowments.

Why? Just watch a child and you’ll find your answer. Having a child (9-year old boy) in our home is a daily reminder.

We all, at least I do, need daily reminders of this simple fact, don’t we? Why? Because life is hard, especially in today’s challenging and uncertain world.

Every day is an opportunity to count our blessings. Anyone need a calculator?

The Joy of Dying

Is there Joy in dying? Is there Joy in death?

There certainly is Joy in birth and obviously Joy in being born. Right?

In the past 30 days, I’ve been exposed to nearly one dozen deaths. And these deaths have involved people close to me, or people close to people I’m close to. Ya with me?

Just yesterday, a good friend told me how peaceful the death of her family member was.

It started with tragic news, and there was little time to accept and deal with the impending reality.

And yet in the end, she spoke of it being Peaceful. Joyful.

Perhaps, with a little (or a lot) planning, death will be something we don’t fear, but something we view as simply part of life. Not to be feared, but to be embraced.

Maybe then we can look forward to it. Joyfully.

WWJD

WWJD. What would Jesus do? Most are familiar with this.

Because my mind works in mysterious ways, this acronym could also have a second meaning:

What would jeff do? No one is familiar with this.

That’s okay. As long as it means something to me (everyday), then the odds increase that better choices are made. One day at a time. Always an eye on the future. Always a reflection on the past. But mostly, carpe diem.

What do you do every day, to get and stay focused – in the moment to moment opportunities that today brings you?

You are preparing for this TODAY, right?

Fall Is Finally Here

Fall. Back to school. Cooler temperatures. Colorful leaves. Pumpkins. Halloween. Sweaters. Swimming pools “closed for the season”.

Growing up in south-central Pennsylvania, these are the memories of Fall. An exciting time marked by dramatic changes from Summer.

Well, in central Florida, these changes from Summer to Fall are much less distinct. In fact, they are almost invisible.

Attempting to share some of our history and traditions with our son (9), a native Floridian, I had to find small ways to tell big stories.

So, the first night the temperature starts with a six instead of a seven, well, that’s when I officially declare Fall has arrived. We haven’t seen a day or night temperature below 70 since April, until today.

As we go through our busy lives, it’s these little things that make life more interesting, more “alive”, for me.

Do you have small ways to tell big stories? Want to share any here? Please feel free. But I’ll completely understand if you’re too busy.

What If You Did?

What if you started everyday on your knees? And if you don’t have knees, like a few of my friends, use whatever position would be your equivalent.

What would happen to you if you did this every day?

Would it ruin your morning?

Would it be disgustingly inconvenient?

Would you look or feel like a fool?

This begs a question. “Why don’t you start everyday this way? Seriously”.