The Heart of the Matter
I don't mean to do this all of 2012, but I found another piece I wrote back about ten years ago. It's a true story. I was later asked to read this on a radio station somewhere and it was reprinted somewhere else. I still like it.
On a bitterly cold Saturday morning in November, I stopped at a store for diapers, formula and dog food. I had a miserable hacking cough and an aching head. I was dead-tired and aggravated that there was one cashier with six people in line.
I rolled my eyes and swore only to be embarrassed when I realized the elderly woman behind me had heard me curse.
“I’m sorry. I’m just miserable.”
The lady smiled. I figured she was about seventy. A quick glance at her cart told me she probably lived alone.
“I don’t have enough time left to be miserable,” she said. “Being 93, I know I can go anytime. I have to enjoy what’s left.”
I was floored by her proclamation.
“You can’t be 93! You look so young!”
“That’s because I’m never miserable!"
She introduced herself as Diane. She told me she was pleased to meet me. I voiced the question that entered my little brain.
“What’s the secret to a good life?”
Diane’s smiled, touching my left arm.
“I was hoping someone would eventually ask me that.”
Diane talked as the cashier scanned our groceries. She kept talking as we exited the store and walked through the snow to a Chevy in the center of the lot. As I loaded her car, Diane continued speaking, softly explaining the five most important lessons in her life. When she was through speaking, I stood frozen in place. Its eight months later (it's ten years and eight months later now!), and I can’t stop thinking about what Diane said.
Be considerate of other people.
Understand that the guy that cut you off might be on his way to an emergency.
Clean up after yourself – don’t leave your shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot where it might roll into someone else’s car.
Don’t just tolerate the differences in people; celebrate them because variety is the spice of life and you should be open to new ideas.
Work hard and play fair
If someone gives you a job, do more than what’s expected. No one owes you anything. You’re not granted privileges without working for them.
Challenge yourself to be better every day. By making and meeting challenges, you’ll grow as a person one day at a time.
Surround yourself with love
Surround yourself with people you love and love them with your whole heart. When you feel you’ve reached the ceiling of your love – look for more. Love unconditionally realizing everyone has something to offer.
When you feel like you’re alone - search for beauty around you - concentrate on the best things life has to offer:
Like when a mother holds her child for the very first time.
Or when the sun sets bright orange in the sky.
Or when your child laughs.
Or when someone tells you they missed you.
Look up at the sky
Understand the universe is huge and you are not at the center.
Find a star in the sky and be thankful you made it through another day.
Understand nothing in life is guaranteed. Know that those stars numbered, day by day, will provide you with a clear mind.
Fill your heart with faith and hope
Believe in a higher love; understand everyone has problems and know we will all see our share of misery. In the battle between misery and faith make certain faith wins every time.
Surrender your life to a higher power, realizing life might not seem fair, but your reaction to pain and suffering is what matters.
On that cold morning, Diane said:
“Everything you need for a happy life already exists inside you. You’ll never know when life may end, but no one can afford to be miserable."
Think of the innocence of a child. Walk with your head held high and your eyes wide open. Remind yourself you’re young, vital, and important and maybe someday when you’re old and gray someone will come along and tell you that you look 23 years younger than you really are.”
Reading back through this, I realize that my conversation with Diane did not stretch on for as long as it might take for her to tell me all these things, but I do know that it is what I took from our one-time meeting.
Here's hoping that Diane is somewhere celebrating her 103rd year of life.
Looking just 80.
On a bitterly cold Saturday morning in November, I stopped at a store for diapers, formula and dog food. I had a miserable hacking cough and an aching head. I was dead-tired and aggravated that there was one cashier with six people in line.
I rolled my eyes and swore only to be embarrassed when I realized the elderly woman behind me had heard me curse.
“I’m sorry. I’m just miserable.”
The lady smiled. I figured she was about seventy. A quick glance at her cart told me she probably lived alone.
“I don’t have enough time left to be miserable,” she said. “Being 93, I know I can go anytime. I have to enjoy what’s left.”
I was floored by her proclamation.
“You can’t be 93! You look so young!”
“That’s because I’m never miserable!"
She introduced herself as Diane. She told me she was pleased to meet me. I voiced the question that entered my little brain.
“What’s the secret to a good life?”
Diane’s smiled, touching my left arm.
“I was hoping someone would eventually ask me that.”
Diane talked as the cashier scanned our groceries. She kept talking as we exited the store and walked through the snow to a Chevy in the center of the lot. As I loaded her car, Diane continued speaking, softly explaining the five most important lessons in her life. When she was through speaking, I stood frozen in place. Its eight months later (it's ten years and eight months later now!), and I can’t stop thinking about what Diane said.
Be considerate of other people.
Understand that the guy that cut you off might be on his way to an emergency.
Clean up after yourself – don’t leave your shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot where it might roll into someone else’s car.
Don’t just tolerate the differences in people; celebrate them because variety is the spice of life and you should be open to new ideas.
Work hard and play fair
If someone gives you a job, do more than what’s expected. No one owes you anything. You’re not granted privileges without working for them.
Challenge yourself to be better every day. By making and meeting challenges, you’ll grow as a person one day at a time.
Surround yourself with love
Surround yourself with people you love and love them with your whole heart. When you feel you’ve reached the ceiling of your love – look for more. Love unconditionally realizing everyone has something to offer.
When you feel like you’re alone - search for beauty around you - concentrate on the best things life has to offer:
Like when a mother holds her child for the very first time.
Or when the sun sets bright orange in the sky.
Or when your child laughs.
Or when someone tells you they missed you.
Look up at the sky
Understand the universe is huge and you are not at the center.
Find a star in the sky and be thankful you made it through another day.
Understand nothing in life is guaranteed. Know that those stars numbered, day by day, will provide you with a clear mind.
Fill your heart with faith and hope
Believe in a higher love; understand everyone has problems and know we will all see our share of misery. In the battle between misery and faith make certain faith wins every time.
Surrender your life to a higher power, realizing life might not seem fair, but your reaction to pain and suffering is what matters.
On that cold morning, Diane said:
“Everything you need for a happy life already exists inside you. You’ll never know when life may end, but no one can afford to be miserable."
Think of the innocence of a child. Walk with your head held high and your eyes wide open. Remind yourself you’re young, vital, and important and maybe someday when you’re old and gray someone will come along and tell you that you look 23 years younger than you really are.”
Reading back through this, I realize that my conversation with Diane did not stretch on for as long as it might take for her to tell me all these things, but I do know that it is what I took from our one-time meeting.
Here's hoping that Diane is somewhere celebrating her 103rd year of life.
Looking just 80.
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