LIVING WITH LUCK

02.28.2021

Well, gee, where did the first two months of the new year go? Despite the pandemic and going to work and the store, for the most part the time flew by. I find the older I get the faster it flies. It makes you want to appreciate every moment, doesn’t it?

I was looking through some old writings and journals and came across something I’d either heard or read somewhere. I don’t remember but I liked it enough to write it down.

Four Steps to Balance

1.Ask for what you need, take what is offered, the cup of coffee, the compliment, the offered space ahead in the line. Take what is freely given and

2.Be Grateful for all you have. Air, water, food, friends and family. Focus on what you have and it draws more to you.

3.Never take more than you need. That way there’s plenty for everyone.

4.Give Back. Recycle. Share. Be more aware of the world around you its many gifts and needs.

I really liked that and still do. As I traveled my journey, I began to recognize my own 4 Steps to Balance and began living with LUCK, Love, Understanding, Compassion and Kindness.

LOVE: Think about the many different kinds of love in the world. The love of a committed couple. Love for family and friends. The love of a good hamburger, a favorite movie, or the beautiful scenery on a long, wonderful drive. The list goes on. Do you really think a life can have balance without love in it? Think of how much more there is to love and how much the world needs it. Be Love.

UNDERSTANDING. You can’t have balance without understanding yourself, who you are and what you believe in. You can’t have balance without understanding no one else might share your beliefs. Understand that your journey is unique to anyone else’s. As is theirs. Understanding and acceptance are necessary for balance.

COMPASSION and

KINDNESS: How can you have balance without these two in your life? How can you not empathize with another who’s made difficult choices? When you know you have made as many, if not more, difficult decisions and unhealthy choices. How can you not sympathize with someone who’s experiencing a loss? When you’ve had your own share of losses. Concern and care are necessary in a world that often seems unfeeling.

Sometimes I get what I ask for. Sometimes not. Sometimes my prayers are answered. Sometimes not. But I find if I live my life with Luck, with love, understanding, compassion and kindness my journey is easier, the darkness lighter. Sometimes I can see who I really am.

Because we’re always changing and growing, learning things about ourselves as we move on from one experience or another in our journey. Who you are now is not who you were. And who you are now is not who you’re becoming. Maybe you didn’t like ham as a child and now you do. Maybe you once thought go-go pants and high white boots was really cool. And now you really don’t. Each new experience can change us in some way. Some changes are subtle. We might not even be consciously aware of them, but our spirit is learning and growing. Some changes are abrupt and enlightening. We’ve learned. It's time to move on. That no longer serves us. It’s ham, or the god-awful clothes you wore, when you were younger and not as wise. Be who you are while growing and learning to be the best of who you are.