Act Accordingly

Good morning.  Here it is Thursday, once again.  The weeks sure go by quickly!  Last night Mitch and I went to see Van Morrison at the Hard Rock.  Though he still could sing as beautifully as ever, the show was really disappointing.  Beyond a very unexciting version of Moondance, we were really surprised that he opted to NOT play ANY of the songs we know and love.  Nonetheless it is ALWAYS great to hear live music and it was a good night for us to get out.  Just a little earlier in the day we had learned of the sudden passing of a 56 year old man we have known for most of our lives.  Apparently a massive heart attack was the cause.  A local lawyer, he leaves behind 2 children in their 20s and a very large group of friends.  We wish peace and strength for all of them.

Sudden, premature death is something that is near impossible to wrap one’s arms around, but we are reminded of some important lessons.  One is to treat the body like a temple and another is a line I  steal from my dear friend Lisa’s t-shirt.  It says “We are all on our way out.  Act accordingly.” That is a line worth meditating on!  By the way, this friend is the only person I know who actually lives life just that way.  She totally gets it!

For many of us it’s challenging to combine living each day to it’s fullest and still treating our bodies like temples.  Those two thoughts are a contradiction of each other, to many.  Many people think I am into deprivation because I choose a plant-based “diet.”  I want to emphasize, once again, how insanely great I feel about what is entering my body.  I am so sad about the oil spill in the gulf, but selfishly I am glad I am not eating seafood or fish these days!  Perhaps the rising price of these will make some consider opting for a beautiful summer salad over something from the sea.  Taking care of your own health as well as your financial health, will ultimately help save some of our friends from the sea, as well.  If you think the creatures of the sea are any less special than the rest of the non-humans, come sit by my canal and for a while and watch…I have read stories of dolphins and turtles that would bring tears to a grown man’s eyes.   Remember, we are all connected.

When one of my kids was in middle school, I took home a few papers the English teacher left on each student’s desk at open house.  I recently found it and thought it worth sharing.

The Rules For Being Human

YOU WILL RECEIVE A BODY. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for as long as you live.  How you take care of it or fail to take care of it can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life.

YOU WILL LEARN LESSONS. You are enrolled in a full-time, informal school called Life.  Each day, you will be presented with opportunities to learn what you need to know.  The lessons presented are often completely different from what you THINK you need.

THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, ONLY LESSONS. Growth is a process of trial, error and experimentation.  You can learn as much from failure as success.  Maybe more.

“THERE” IS NO BETTER THAN “HERE.” When your “there” has become a “here,” you will again simply discover another “there” that will again look better than your “here.”  Don’t be fooled by believing that the unattainable is better than what you have.

OTHERS ARE MERELY MIRRORS OF YOU. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.  When tempted to criticize others, ask yourself why you feel so strongly.

WHAT YOU MAKE OF YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU. You have all the tools and resources you need.  What you create with those tools and resources is up to you.  Remember that through desire, goal setting and unflagging effort you can have anything you want.  Persistence is the key to success.

THE ANSWERS LIE INSIDE YOU. The solution to all of life’s problems lie within your grasp.  All you need to do is ask, look, listen and trust.

YOU WILL FORGET ALL THIS. Unless you consistently stay focused on the goals you have set for yourself, everything you’ve just read won’t mean a thing.

I apologize for any spelling or typing errors.  Dog, cat, phones…Thursday mornings are crazy.  I hope you will give some thought to the RULES and act accordingly!