Thoughts of Hazel, one of my heroes, comes to mind. She had her 89th birthday soon after our meeting. Still chewing on life, as if a piece of gristle, Hazel could put many to flight with her questions and ideas. It did not take long to learn the secret of this woman’s personal agility and mental acumen, as Hazel’s abilities were daily in demand. Her life is pledged to the care of a physically challenged daughter, then 56. This octogenarian is hot on the trail of what many, much younger folks have perhaps not even thought about: the pursuit of patience needed for moment-to-moment endurance. She was extraordinary.
Years back, Jessica Savitch interviewed Whoopi Goldberg on television. Whoopi told of her mother referring to her as “extra ordinary,” when she was a child. Whoopi said, “I used to think she meant extraordinary. But, all the time she just meant ‘extra ordinary.”’ Whoopi believed she could do extraordinary things. So, she has! Her keen ability to impersonate common people and ordinary events, while bringing humor to the mundane has enriched many lives. Historically, Whoopi has shared her extraordinary ability to shed delightful color on the simplicity and silliness of our everyday selves.
Clearly, the “extra ordinary” person Whoopi’s mother spoke of could best describe Hazel, my new found hero. She has not experienced fame, yet “extraordinary” describes Hazel well, as her dedication is carried with such grace and fortitude as to be challenging for some and encouraging for others.
So often we go through life longing for extraordinary experiences, eagerly awaiting the exceptional, the remarkable to take place. When all the time the real joy of living is found in being content with and discovering pleasure in the commonplace—in the present moment, especially while listening to the stories of others.
Extraordinary happenings of life, which always come, bring great surprise along with that occasional bit of rapture so good for the soul. However, if we are constantly on the hunt for the “peaks,” of finding what is superbly uncommon—the experiences that can titillate or otherwise thrill—then ordinary happenstances, like hearing the stories of another’s life, could just seem dull.
For sure, the conversation of a person who has traversed the earth for 7-9 decades can take a little more time and perhaps more patience while listening. Being in a hurry, may mean wisdom is lost. A prevalent “On with the action” mode of being is easy to slip into.
Fascinated by the unusual, all sorts of memorabilia entice us. We collect stamps, papers, dolls, books, bottles and old coins—antiques of every sort. And, what happens to people who have accumulated great age? Those seen as “spent” are warehoused far too often; as if human souls can be pushed into “attics” until “collected” by someone who stumbles onto the truth of their value . . . long after the person’s demise. Then they may exclaim, “Hey, this person had it together!” Yes, surely some must live out the last months and sometimes even years of their lives in care centers. But must they be deserted mentally and emotionally?
The following segment of a poem by William Wordsworth, the English poet (of 1770-1850), speaks of this:
“I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sat reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.”
There seems to be a bit of “bareness” as people reach their later years. But, what if we determine to affirm the elderly—the “antique people” and seek out their stories. Envision our ability to validate them in such ways as they feel there is still beauty and purpose in being here.
My dream for this year is for growth in the ability to enjoy the ordinary, while also honing in on the stories of my fellow globe-trotters. I want to listen better and be able to perceive their richness, solidity and wisdom. It is similar to how those of us who live in the Arizona desert develop a keen ability to see past barrenness, as our eyes are ever finding the beauty that is there for those who have the “eyes to see it.”
The Bible holds great hope. Psalm 92:12-14, shows people “in old age” as “still bearing fruit . . . fresh and flourishing, declaring their faith in the Lord.”
Way to go!
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Thank you for the comment. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated. The site is not an existing template. I used a graphic artist, for building the site into one that meets my desire for it being interactive. I am glad you like it.
Uwazaj, zebys przez nieuwage nie stworzyl czegos wiekopomnego. :-) S. Lec
When I read, “Uwazaj, zebys przez nieuwage nie stworzyl czegos wiekopomnego” at first I thought you were negative about my blog. A second read allows me to see humor in, “Be careful that you don’t inadvertently create something memorable,” Is this a good translation? Tell me more about how you are thinking about the blog, OK?
Zycie jest podrlza, ktora prowadzi do domu.
Your comment translates, “Life is a journey that leads you home.” Is this translated correctly?
Do you mind sharing your thoughts about what” going home” will look like? (What’s your view of eternity?)
Please say more. Is this a good transcription of what you wrote: “Life is a journey that leads you home”?
Anna Rokita Mawiala, ze Milosc,przyjazń I BRATERSTWO sa jak magia. Nie mozemy ich zobaczyc, ale czujemy je. I ja sie po czesci z tym zgadzam :-) A ty ?
Yes, you have said it well. Is love and brotherhood the same thing to your way of thinking?
Thank you, Anna. Google translates you as saying, “Anna Rokita used to say that love, friendship and brotherhood are like magic. We cannot see them, but we feel them. And I partially agree with that :-) And you?s”
YES! And, my belief is that God is love. In fact Scripture assures us of that in 1 John 4:16, which reads, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Also, John 3:16, helps us see the vastness of God’s love, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
When I read these words my heart “arises” gently, as if a bit of helium is present. I think that is what truth (when we find it for sure) is meant to feel like to our souls. Please continue writing, telling me what truth you embrace and how it feels to your soul.
Thanks for the great post, I have linked back to your site here. Add
Thank you. I hope you read weekly as I post. And, I hope you will comment.
Pojawienie sie prawdziwego autentycznego geniusza :-) mozesz rozpoznac po tym, ze wszystkie osly i nieuki jednocza sie przeciwko niemu…. Jonathan Swift… Do You Seen ? http://www.Socjologia.XMC.PL Thanks for Visit!
I like the first part of your comment that translates ” The emergence of a real genuine genius :-)
Thanks. L-) The later part of your comment is not easily understood. Want to say more?
This article is awarded a 2 thumbs up from me.
Szata graficzna ok, podoba mi sie:) zapraszam do siebie…
Krotki okres zycia jest dostatecznie dlugi na to, aby zyc dobrze i uczciwie. – Cyceron
Thank you for dropping in, again, Metale. I translate, here, “A short life span is long enough for a good and fair life. – Cicero.”
A short life is seldom desired, right? And, what do you hope for as a legacy to leave as you finish your life?
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Czlowiek upada i sie podnosi. Jedni nazywaja to gimnastyka, inni sensem zycia. – Slawomir Kuligowski
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I like receiving your comments. Is this a good translation of it? “If it were possible to look at the world without any other protection, honestly and courageously – our hearts would certainly break.” Please comment on my blogs as often as you are able. Here is the last: http://healing-with-joy.com/blog/
Zaraz na poczatku zycia ktos powinien nam powiedziec, ze umieramy. Moze wtedy zylibysmy pelnia zycia, w kazdej minucie kazdego dnia. – Michael Landon
The above is a quote form Michael Landon? If so, is this a good translation for what you sent? “Right at the beginning of life, someone should tell us that we are dying. Maybe then we would live to the fullest, every minute of every day. Michael Landon
Yours is a noble thought. I agree, as it is easy to think we have “forever” here on earth. I was very sick for the first 35 years of my life, not expected to live. I think that was gift in away because after a life-saving surgery and much prayer, I got well. I have worked hard to achieve during that last decades as I know that life can end at any time–and I want to make the best of it. Please keep readying and sending your comments as your words should be shared. (What language is yours?)
Exactly, really good!
Sukces nigdy nie jest ostateczny. Porazka nigdy nie jest totalna. Liczy sie tylko odwaga i waleczne serce. Sir. W. Churchill Adaptation by ITI Systems
This sound right on. Thanks. Translates as, “Success is never final. Failure is never total. Only courage and a brave heart count. Sir. W. Churchill Adaptation by ITI Systems
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Zycie nie jest problemem do rozwiazania, tylko rzeczywistoscia do doswiadczenia; Soren Kierkegaard Zapraszam takze do siebie
Hello. Thanks for your input. I appreciate your contribution.
Istnieja tylko dwa sposoby na zycie – zyc tak jakby nic nie bylo cudem lub tak jakby cudem bylo wszystko. Albert Einstein
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Czlowiek jest do tego stopnia egoistyczny, ze stojac nad grobem przyjaciela, potrafi plakac nad soba z powodu jego utraty. Agnieszka Lisak
Thank you for writing, Agnieszka Lisak. As I read yours (below), I think of the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” He was weeping at the tomb of his dear friend who had died. Do you think the Lord was selfish when this happened and the pain of losing the friend brought tears? And, do you think I selfish when I wept when my close friend was murdered? We are human. Please tell me what you think of what I wrote on my website about tears and how they help us heal (on the homepage under the Menu). Again, thank you for your comment. You can comment whenever you want, but that article on tears does not yet offer a place for comments. Place yours, if you wish to read and and write, at the bottom on any one of my blogs. I will get it and respond back.
“Czlowiek jest do tego stopnia egoistyczny, ze stojac nad grobem przyjaciela, potrafi plakac nad soba z powodu jego utraty. Agnieszka Lisak
Google translates:
A man is so selfish that, standing over a friend’s grave, he can cry over himself because of his loss. Agnieszka Lisak
Nie jest wazne, co przydarza ci sie w zyciu… Wazne jest, jakie przypisujesz temu znaczenie. – Robert Kiyosaki
Thank you for writing, Robert. I hope you come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then life will bring great meanin–and you will want to tell the world of His love, His peace, joy and forgiveness. Here, Jesus gives hope in John 16:33 of the Bible, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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Thank you for this encouraging comment, Raje. It helps me to know people are reading my work. Have you checked my homepage? The menu holds “Quick Aids.” Once you click on this many short helps come up. Please let me know what you think of this part of the work. I am now praying for you and your family–and your project. May God richly bless you.
Raje, would you write a bit about your class? Since you say, “I like the way you write,” would you please place my website http://www.healinglifespain or http://www.healing-with-Joy.com alongside thoughts you may want to share in your class? I want to reach as many people as I can while still alive on the earth. (I am turning 85 next month. :-)
Trzeba miec, co sie chce! I trzeba zyc, jak sie chce! – Jerzy Pilch
Thank you for writing. Have you considered “the way” Jesus taught? I write a lot about His “way” within my postings. I hope you will continue reading. I especially hope for people to read from my homepage the entry titled, “For that felt sense of loneliness, or “something missing.” I have walked that way for 75 years and it has proven to cure depression, anxiety, worrying, loneliness and times when I’ve “lost the way,” if ever to briefly. I highly recommend this way as it is a way of love. God is love and He expands in my heart when I read His Word.
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Blasphemy! LOL Just kidding. Ive read similar things on other blogs. Ill take your word for it. Stay solid! your pal.
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Thats a very good feedback. Wondering what you think of its implication on society as a whole though? There are times when things like this begin to have global expansion and frustration. Ill be around soon to check out your response.
Thank you, Bill Gates, for commenting. Give me a little time as your words prompt thoughts on the types of “things that can have global expansion, bringing frustration.” Surely there are many.
However, you have commented on to a column that speaks of bettering our future. It is a pleasure to exploring ideas. Let’s keep it up. One question . . . I hope you will answer: (This will help in preparation for the blog I’ll write in response.) In your first sentence, to what does the word “its” refer to?
Check them all out at http://www.healinglifespain.com – at blogs. I am glad you like. Now over 100. Share freely. (Just let people know where to find me.) :-)
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Thank you for letting me know and for encouraging me through your words. I am interested in how to “sort of found” my blog “by mistake.” I wonder what you were searching for at the time when you happened onto my blog and am always curious as how to best utilize google potential. Have you visited my website?
wwww.healinglifespain.com
There is a lot there–and all is free for sharing when people credit my site. My goal is to help as many people as possible before God carries me HOME. :-)
I have been following posts. I perpetually find you articles enlightening.
Thank you for your encouragement. Are there any topics, on mental health or spiritual health, that you would like me to write on? Also, always feel free to share a prayer request. Intercessory prayer is another aspect of my ministry besides chaplaincy.
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Thank you, Anatomia, for your words of encouragement. Just so you know, I write weekly for our newspaper and post these columns as blogs, here. So, please do check in as often as you want for what I’m sharing from the heart! I am enthused to tell you my homepage at http://www.healinglifespain.com has much to offer as well. God bless you!
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Thanks for encouraging words. Nix french fries, but here’s a question for you: Why do you think we are here (meaning on earth, alive)?
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Thank you so much for your encouragement to write. I pray your daughter continues to enjoy her research. Please tell her about my other writings at http://www.healinlifespain.com
She (and you) may very much like exploring what is under the button “quick aids” on my homepage. Please let me know what you thing.
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