It's great being in the saddle again. Yesterday, from one p.m. on, I was unable to post in this inn; the Blogger system was down, even after midnight, Left Coast time.
. How are each of you doing? Today was a crazy day. I'm pooped. Over five miles I hiked today. I got several errands done.
My gratitudes for Friday:
1. I'm tending to Alexander, a cat that's dying. He's 15 and a half years old. I love the guy. The feeling is mutual. Soon, he'll be gone. It tugs at my heart when this formerly aloof cat climbs out of his death bed, to see me, whenever I drop by. When I'm not around, he doesn't do that; he just lays on top of his cat pillow that's warmed with a vet-approved electric blanket made for house pets.Except for this story. I enjoy the love and fellowship we share.
2. I got additional funding recently. I'm thankful for the additional resources. More importantly, I'm grateful for habits and principles that allow me to maximize and do a better job as a steward of God's provision.
3. I'm happy I'll see a friend tomorrow. It's been a long time since we visited---since February. This friend I've known since 1997. I'm thankful for the stability I enjoy with long-established friends. Tomorrow, we'll take in lunch and views of the San Francisco Bay.
4. Last night I slept for eight hours. That's exceptional for me. It feels terrific to get rest. I needed it----today was a doozy. I was in three different towns and got plenty of exercise.
5. This morning, I wrote in a newspaper for a city that's about sixty miles from my home. I took a stand against negativity and criticism against a writer that I like. I stated that it's better to say what we want, than to complain about what we don't have. Here's an excerpt:
"It amazes me how quickly we judge a person if that
individual doesn’t do what we want. We assign blame to
them; frequently, we consider them as bad, or some other
negative interpretation of their character. In this case,
many who’ve written above vented their frustrations due
to [the writer in question not covering a subject they want
covered, in the newspaper].
It’s usually better staying in the solution. Complaining
about what troubles us only makes the things that bother
us loom larger and more disturbing.
I grew up in San Jose, near Campbell; I’ve been a life-
long Bay Area resident. I think it’s better if we appreciate
the uniqueness offered by each part of the San Francisco
Bay Area, rather than denigrating one region, because we
live in another. I find contentment doesn’t require much.
I find the following quote gives me perspective that contrib-
utes to more joy in my life.
'All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot
be happy. We tend to think that being unhappy leads
people to complain, but it is truer to say that complaining
leads people to becoming unhappy.'
I don’t ask anyone to agree with me. Take what you like and leave the rest."
by Pablo Fuentes
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After I submitted this response in the Press Democrat, which covers the Santa Rosa area of the the North Bay, the complaints stopped. There were over 20 complaints before I added my two cents.
I'm thankful for taking a stand in a world that considers it sophisticated to whine, complain, be sarcastic, or cynical. As David Foster Wallace said:
6. I'm grateful for having a different opinion and the strength to express it. I used non-violent communication (NVC, for more about this, please click here.): I expressed my observations, feelings about them, my needs and my requests regarding them without using the five forms of life-alienating communication: blame, shame, fear, guilt or judgment.Irony and negativity can critique but it can’t nourish or redeem.
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4 comments:
Thanks for sharing all of this, Paul.
Cats are good companions, aren't they? I'm always intrigued by the fact that they all have such different personalities. I don't do well with the death of a loved one...
It is nice, too, to hear about the impact your response to the paper has had on the feedback from others. You do have a way with words, it is always nice when people know how to use their gifts.
Kelly,
You're almost making me blush. Good to see you.
I experienced my mom dying in my arms----I'm glad I was with her and we had a precious time, before she moved on to her eternal life. I sang to her while playing the guitar, the night before she passed. More special was the good bye we shared that night. I'll post it on another page, in this blog. Experiencing that prepared me for any other loss I might have.
Very true about complaining, no matter how valid our complaints may be - the effect is still the same. Being of British descent, complaining comes quite naturally to me. :P Not really a gratitude, but a comment nonetheless.
Thag,
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, now you are officially not a lurker. :-P Besides, you didn't complain: you affirmed. :->
I find it much better to say what we want, than to express what we don't want. It makes sense that that is my perspective, considering I'm the gratitude guy.
You've my prayers, too.
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