The Greatest Blessings of Mankind?

The greatest blessings of mankind?

“The great blessings of mankind are within us, and within our reach; but we shut our eyes and, like people in the dark, fall short of the very thing we search for without finding it”. — Seneca

For me, the greatest blessing of mankind is about two weeks away.

In America, we mostly celebrate it with colored eggs, chocolate bunnys and marshmellow peeps, because, “that’s the way we’ve always done it”.

It’s as if we are in the dark to the true “reason for the season”.

When we stop chasing it, I’m convinced, peace, joy and love will find us.

Very often though, I forget my own advice and have to question things, and start all over.

Today, I promise to be present.

I’ll leave a light on for you too.

Make it a “bright” day, and see all the simple blessings at your feet, and all around you. They’re there everyday, if we only had eyes to see…..carpe diem, jeff 🙂

Mid Life Gratitude

What is mid life gratitude?

How about this?

“Gratitude, more aware of what you have than what you don’t.

Recognizing the treasure in the simple – a child’s hug, fertile soil, a golden sunset.

Relishing in the comfort of the common – a warm bed, a hot meal, a clean shirt.”

Thank you, Max Lucado, for your wisdom.

Please consider making today a GREART mid-life day, because if you don’t, who will? Carpe diem, jeff 🙂

Do you ever have “Saturday reflections”?

Reflecting on a seemingly insignificant event from last night.

Yesterday, my son and I went to Twistee Treat, a local soft-serve ice cream shop, like we always do every Friday afternoon, on our way home from his school.

“Three fifty-nine!”, Laurena says, as she hands us our “usual”. We go so often, that we no longer have to place our order, and it always costs $3.59.

“Thank you”, we say in unison. Off to the pharmacy drive-through, to drop off my prescription.

We pull up and the pharmacist says, “Where’s my ice-cream?”

He was smiling, joking and having fun with us. I apologized, saying, “It wasn’t fair for us to be enjoying ice-cream in front of you like this.” It was a hot, but breezy, Florida afternoon – perfect ice-cream weather.

He takes my script, says it’ll be ready tomorrow morning, and we pull away in our air-conditioned car.

About five seconds later, I ask my son, “Should we get him an ice cream?” “Sure!”, my son replies.

We drive one block, back to the Twistee Treat drive-thru to get his treat. Moments later, we’re back at the pharmacist’s drive-thru. He opens the tray, I place his goodie bag in it and he starts saying, “No, I can’t. No. I really can’t.”

We ignore his comments, smile and inch away, saying, “Just enjoy it. Please, just enjoy it. See you tomorrow.”

Actions speak louder than words. I hope this seemingly insignificant jesture to make another fellow human being happy, made a positive impression on my son.

I invested $2.14 in my son’s education.

At today’s prices, I’ll take that as money well spent.

Enjoy whatever you typically enjoy on a Saturday. Carpe diem, 🙂

Until further notice…

Until further notice, celebrate everything.” — anonomous

Let the glories of nature energize your body, heal your psyche, and uplift your spirit.” — anonomous

The word “happiness” would lose it’s meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.” — Carl Jung

Make it a great, midlife day, because if you don’t, who will? 🙂

Why we get old, the answer is…..

Why do we get old? Here’s an insightful answer:

You don’t stop doing things because you get old. You get old because you stop doing things.”

Here’s the link to Wisdom Book, for a short, inspirational video that will add wisdom to your thinking today: www.wisdombook.org/

The quote you just read, and many other great insights are on the Wisdom Book video clip.

Make it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will. Carpe diem, 🙂