It's very difficult at times in all the noise, hustling and bustling to find a source of calm or tranquility within our day-to-day lives. It is very difficult to find that balance, to try and understand, "Well what is my purpose on earth and what makes me, 'ME' or we even ask those questions, as to when will I strike it rich or make it big? We ask when will I find true happiness or even when will I continue dancing?
When will I stop worrying so much? As one of my friends like to say when I ask 'What's Up?" He responds, "It's just about the old grind man. Working hard! Trying to chase that dollar! Dis a survival story! You know how it does go!"
I awaken each day, not looking forward to this old grind or thinking of the work related tasks that I have to perform but I wake up wondering, "what adventure am I going to unearth today?" Which interesting person would I meet or what tale would my sisters Julie or Vicki have for me? I wake up each day looking forward to my daily lunch date with my best friend Teslyn, who I just deem to be one of the most phenomenal persons living today, which is why I think I gravitate towards her so much.
I wake up looking forward to great debates with friends like Janelle. I wake up looking forward to touching base with Ella and the crew at the Department of Gender Affairs, seeing what jokes are in store. I wake up wondering how many times my mother will banter about how much she worries about me or try to rush all of her day's activities into one phone call. I wake up longing to hear the voice of my niece and nephew. I wake up knowing that at the end of all these conversations, I would hear, "I love you! Love you more! Miss you! Good Luck or Take care! See you tomorrow!" I wake up for the hugs and kisses. I wake up for the warmth.
I REALIZE more so now, that I wake up not longing to chase that dollar or some professional dream but I wake up for those that I love. I wake up longing for that contact. I wake up for their prayers. I wake up longing to get those smiles and give smiles. I wake up for that belly rolling laughter. I wake up for the good times and the positive vibes. I wake up for those most treasured moments in life. I wake up for connection. I wake up for reconnection. I wake up for happiness and I wake up for love. I wake up appreciating the richness in it all. I wake up knowing that my waking up means something to those I love and to those who love me. I wake up for the simplicity of the happenings.
You see as I age, I have grown to realize that life is about the simple things, those simple things that validate us, not only for a moment but that enriches us and defines us as beings. Life is about those things that make us happy. It is about those things that touches our inner core and brings us to tears. I tell you, that's my definition of life. When I am asked about my most sublime moment, I often refer to a juvenile delinquent that I had counseled. Everyone had labeled him a really bad boy. I sat for a few hours with him until he opened up to me.
I had taken him upon my lap and chatted with him. I hugged him and this child who seemed like ice, like Frosty the Snowman even just melted. He smiled. I saw him a few days after on the street selling mangoes and this child leapt from one side of the street to the next, arms outstretched and hugged me, this had to be one of the best moments in my life. One lady shouted, "Miss mind he aint thief you bag. Run him! He dirtying up you clothes!" I didn't even respond. I just basked in the moment. Sublime I tell you! Sublime! Even when asked, "Why do you volunteer? It isn't like you get paid or anything else from it!" My response usually is, "I volunteer out of the goodness of my heart!" One day it came to me, that that wasn't the only reason that I volunteer. I do so because; it is good for my heart. Life is about touching the souls of others no matter how small or insignificant we may think it is. We all crave for and long for this connection.
Life is about surrounding ourselves with positive people; people whose goodness makes us second-guess that there is evil in the world. And you know what? Even when and if we do encounter evil, these people are right there to protect us, cushion us and envelop us. Life is about goodness. It is about hope and realizing that life in itself is a gift. It is about realizing that we are only passing through and that if we could do one act of kindness, we should do it for we will not pass this way again. Life is about living and realizing that a career is not a life. It is about realizing what is important. Family is important.
Good friends are important. Connection and love is important. Life is about opening up and trusting. You see, we say at times that when we love or show love it makes us weak. Think for a moment of the joy and benefits that are to be derived from the giving of you. We are human and I know that at times we question whether there is a God or why we hurt so much, that is a part of life. If we didn't possess these emotions we wouldn't be human. As I write I can hear my grandmother singing the hymn, "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand..." Life is such that we must have great faith, we must believe in something.
Life is about living for those whom we have loved dearly, those who are no longer with us because they have ventured off into the great beyond. Life is about packaging their spirits and letting it emanate through our actions, through our lives.
LIFE'S SIMPLEST, BUT MOST VALUABLE TREASURES!
It's about simplicity! It's about family!
It's about friendship! It's about reconnection!
It's about love!
