The Meaning of LIFE according to Me

Today is my birthday and I am feeling wonderful, grateful, and content.

I’ve come to realize that each year is indeed a blessing and should be celebrated. It is not the number of years you walked this lovely planet that counts, but how you’ve walk on her. I elect to walk on her softly, with integrity, and love.

I have so much to be thankful for, and each year, my blessings multiply.

I am graciously thankful that I have a wonderful family and great friends. I am thankful that my mom is still with us. In my opinion her strength gives us strength, and helps us understand that she is still here to continue to teach us about acceptance and love.  I am also thankful that social media helps me reconnect with friends, and stay connect with family. 

Birthday flowers

I find myself, feeling more empathy for people, as I get older.  And I am more willing to forgive and accept circumstances whatever they may be. Like they say, “don’t sweat the small stuff”. I don’t know who coined that phase, but it’s a good one, huh. Combine with daily meditation, and I am good to go. Interestingly, when you approach life that way, almost everything becomes the small stuff.

A key for me is to not take myself seriously. I admit it is something easier said, than to do, but I strive each day to let go of my attachment to my ego. When your ego is bigger than your humanity, the meaning of LIFE is lost. And life is about relationships and how these relationships affect your life and those around you.

This past year for me has been more focused on family. Almost a year ago, one of my brothers died suddenly and a sister came too close to dying.  When someone you love and have known all your life passes, it can’t but put LIFE into perspective.  After the shattering reality, and then finally the acceptance of losing someone, this can change you in a very profound way.  Sometimes this changes is brief, and other times it can change how you live. For me it is the latter.

I have come to regard my family as life’s treasures. My relationship with my family and friends is to me an exercise in love and acceptance.  Paradoxically, years ago, this was the advice given me by my brother Patrick. Although it took a few years before I embraced the notion that LOVE does make a difference. Our conversation stayed with me like a seed that bloomed when I was ready to accept it. However, it is not as simple as saying “I love you”, but it is the intent behind the act that counts.  

  

My birthday wish is that my family and friends too will recognize how very special they are and how our relationship to each other is really our journey. Moreover, we are in control of how this journey will unfold, either lovingly, or, in conflict.  If you really get “it”, trust me, there will be a shift towards magnanimity and with that comes acceptance, love, and forgiveness. Forgiveness, not just for others but to forgive yourself, is fundamental.  If we strive for that we will always be respectful and interact with one another with integrity by choosing our actions and words cautiously.

Most of the time our music is the conversation playing in the background, like a tape on a loop, in our mind.  This “noise” sets the tempo in our heart, and creates the mood of our dance, which is LIFE.  Why don’t we do this instead, purged the negative background conversation and let the music come from our heart. This music is pure and comes from a place of LOVE and GRATITUDE.  May your life’s journey be filled with Blessings, Love, and Peace.