Speaking Life (TreeLuckHarmony)

 

When we're young, we look forever ahead. As a person some might call a "mature adult" and others label "an old fart," I now reflect. What do I see as I glance at the horizon on this Easter Sunday?

When you're lucky, life keeps moving, from face to face, heart to heart, house to house, level to level, chapter to chapter; and when you overcome your preconceptions, when you overcome the prejudices and emotional fixtures of early life, you learn a bit along the way. I try to listen, to be kind, and to share, —because that feels right to me at this stage of my life. 

If I had had different experiences and less luck, if I had not had the support of a strong family tree, and if I had not had so much harmony in my early years, today I would not be the person I am.

But I could not stay where I was as a child, as a boy, as a young man. I have moved forward with purpose, but not to prove anything. I’ve always cared more about learning, developing connections, and building or crossing bridges, more so than about constructing monuments or chasing status.

I have always appreciated advice and have respect for different perspectives, but deep down, I've learned to trust what I think I need and where I need to go. I came to understand that only I can be the agent of my own change.

You want to talk about spiritual awakening? Do unto others as you'd like them to do unto you. How basic can things be?

Today I choose gratitude, joy, inter-dependence, and balance, and I hope others are strong enough to develop their own sense of direction, their own worthy values.

And when and if someone really cares what I think, I share my experiences in case those stories may help someone rethink what’s holding them back, in case my sharing may uplift someone. 

Happiness and change aren’t out of reach—anyone can make them happen. When I see dear family, friends and communities coming together, supporting each other, and growing together in their own ways, I smile. Those are indicators of a life worth living.

The fears we have aren’t as big as they seem. Once a person takes that first step, the fears fade away

I'm an agent of my own making: be what I can be, accept what I can’t be, and strive to find peace in between. 😊

And then my best advice? Enjoy each day, embrace every blessing, and try to bring fulfillment to others. 

Speak life, boldly—it’s the only thing we’ve really got.