I attended the funeral of a close friend’s father yesterday and it really shook me up. My friend got up to the podium to remember his father and he spoke with such power, grace, and eloquence that I found tears streaming down my cheeks. The things he was saying made me think of my own father and my stepfather, each of who have had an indelible influence on my life and both of whom I am thankful for. I could not imagine what I would be feeling were I in his shoes.
Lately I have been doing a lot of self-reflection and a recurring theme that keeps coming up is gratitude—gratitude for the life God has given me and for the people He has placed in my life. It is in relationships that one’s life has meaning, not money, or job, or success. My life is sweeter because of my family and friends—the people who have invested in me or perhaps in whom I have invested. I am blessed to have a beautiful wife who loves me, a family that has supported me and stood by me, and friends who have enriched my life in so ways. Funnily enough, though, I still find myself envying others who I perceive to not be as smart, successful, educated, or personable when good things happen to them, such as being able to buy a house, landing a great job, etc. What is that? It’s a lack of gratitude and extreme selfishness, which is something I am susceptible to every single day of my life despite the fact that I have a life that some people dream of and relationships that anyone would love to be a part of. Stuff to think about…
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3 comments:
Do you live in my mind? With all of the family stuff that has happened recently, I am fully affirmed that the relationships we have with others are what make life fantastic. Money helps, a job can be great, and success feels good, but alone it is often meaningless.
If I had to choose one facet of my life to be okay, it would always be personal relationships with others. Thanks for articulating my thoughts ;)
no matter what life throws your way, with family and friends around you who love you, you can continue forward and be joyful....
if you don't have that?.....
When my boyfriend David's sister, Nadia, walks down the street, she often smiles at the people she passes, silently but earnestly blessing them with unspoken wishes of good fortune. I think this is amazing! I guess if you go around wishing abundant good fortune on everyone, envy goes right out the window; you can't help but be happy for other's successes, even if it means your own losses. That's enlightenment for ya. Nadia sees that life is a gift, that everyone is a person to be grateful for, and maybe because of that, she is very blessed herself, as are you, dear Matty!
So... Good Fortune to you and everyone who reads this!
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