Dear Mark Twain,
Sometimes I wish I lived “back in the day” along the banks of the Mississippi, enjoying the carefree & relaxing life of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. It seems that the stress is at an all time high. Someone is always needing to collect on a bill or has a problem to be fixed. Other people are calling out for my attention and efforts for what seems a never ending stream of emergencies… always someone out there wanting something from me. Fishing, relaxing in the sun, enjoying a good swim followed by an afternoon nap sounds like a much better life. Anything you could do or strings you could pull to make that work out for me?
Page,
One of the things I’ve noticed about most people is their desire to have something someone else has, rather than enjoy what they themselves already possess. I always tell folks, “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”It sounds to me like you would rather someone fill you up than you spend your life doing something worthwhile. Life isn’t about just the stuff of ‘doing’… “Life does not consist mainly – or even largely – of facts and happenings. It consists mainly of the storm of thoughts that are forever blowing through one’s mind.” Life gets excitable to be sure. But in those moments, rather that being envious of the riverbank and the urchins that play on it’s banks, may you consider that the process of life is shaping you from the inside out? Make the most of life’s lessons in each moment, and there will in the end be time enough for swimming and naps to be sure. Life is about living… and there’s no doubt you are living it. But understand this, life is on purpose when it is about purpose… “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
By the way, I’ll be having the most enjoyable event this weekend at my home. We will have the most delightful time painting the fence around my yard, and you would have such a pleasant time joining us. I’ll look forward to seeing you then!”
Me: I wonder sometimes if I make too much of things that are not worth too much, and think too little of things that should be thought of much more. Stress, chaos, pressure, hectic living… it comes, but it only stays too long if I let it. I’m going to spend the rest of my day looking for something powerful, something peaceful to learn in my life circumstances of the day.
What will you focus on today?