Being the best you can be???

My neighbor Ina, who is 85 years old this week, gave me a book when I was sick. It is by a minister named Joel Olsteen. It is a daily morning read with inspirational quotes from the bible and then his interpretation for modern day life. I must admit I have seen him on TV and have been turned off by his over zealous exuberance and big white smile. I think I have an aversion tomost TV preacher men just because of all the ones we know who got caught with their pants down, hands in the coffer or worse. My prejudgment is wrong and so I have been reading the book with an open mind. I find myself reading several days at once and really feeling inspired by what he is actually saying. The teachings of Christ, Buddha and others who followed the way of true love and compassion are everlasting. They speak to the heart and soul which is difficult to do when we are living such high tech busy lives. I find myself struck by the simple lessons of simply setting out to be the best person one can be every day. With that one simple goal we can do so much good for ourselves as individuals and for our world. He also speaks a lot about letting the past go and focusing every day on creating a better life for ourselves. He uses addiction, greed, illness, lack of creativity, lack of concern for others, poor self esteem, victim mentality etc. as lessons on how to possibly change those habitual thoughts and behaviors we tend to get caught up in for a better reality. Much like quantum physics, metaphysics and meditation practice. I think of the patterns in my own life I would like to change and yet I never seem to follow through 100 %. Maybe 80%. I wonder why it is so hard to make the best choices for ourselves? If we knew we truly do create our own perceptions and reality then we would make those right decisions no matter the circumstances. The habits and addictions would go away. The judgment, greed, jealousy, anger, fear, grief, pain, illness and all of it would simply be a memory of the past. Or would it? As a human I know we can only aspire to be great. I try and sometimes actually do it. I also fall sometimes. I hear those old voices and follow old habits. I tend to live in reaction at times. I know all about meditating, prayer and positive attitude. I follow the golden rule and the precepts and commandments as best as I can, yet I fall short. Is it human nature to fall backwards while taking two steps forward? of course or :hell yes!". How can we assume we are perfect when we are all simply humans doing the best we can. Filling our heads with positive thoughts and focusing on good things and a reality we want for ourselves, our families and our communities is the best we can do. Filling the Karmic coffers is my goal. If I can appreciate a flower for a moment and breath in it's miraculous beauty I feel I have accomplished something great. If I can put a smile on someone's face I feel magnificent. If I can have that cup of ginger tea instead of coffee I feel strong. If I decide to take a walk around the yard in the evening instead of watching TV I feel healthy and smart. If I make the right food-beverage choices I feel in control of my behavior. All these little accomplishments add up one day. It may not heal lupus but it makes the path much easier to walk. Which is the point. We get in our own way and make it difficult for ourselves because we learned bad habits. With a little compassion for ourselves, self love, sisterly love, good intentions and some self discipline we can live fuller-healthier lives which give back to society instead of taking. We see through new lenses a world which is beautiful and worth preserving for generations to come.

So I decided it is indeed the little things that count and one day all add up. I remember hearing a story of a post man who lived in the city back in the day and had a modest life. He was black in a time when blacks were fighting for their civil rights. He had a good job, family and a home. He would place his pennies and change in a jar every day and then at the end of the month place it into a savings account. By the time he retired he was a millionaire. It did not change his life and he donated much of it, put his kids through college and lived a happy-simple life. He was proud and humble at once. I have so much respect for this type of person who works hard, spends time with family, devotes time to help others, shows great restraint, has self control and thinks about a life he wants to see for himself and for future generations even when the odds are against him. I think of all the people who I respect and these qualities shine through. Discipline especially. That is the main thing. If you have discipline it leads to self control which leads to good decisions and behaviors which leads to a good life well spent and well deserved. The bumps along the path are no longer a focus. The path stretches far beyond the eyes perception. Only our spirit can see that far ahead. The temptations will try to fool us and trap us but I know we all have it in us to walk this path. My dad has always told me: " Do one good thing every day for someone else, then two, then three and keep on going until you have made more deposits into the karmic bank than withdrawals". Good advice and nice work if you can get it, and you can get it if you try.

Happy mothers day to all of you who have lived a life for your children and for their children and for all generations to come. Mothers walk this path because they have a huge responsibility. I am in awe.