Friday’s Focus—Being Grateful and Yet…

Recently I’ve noticed when I ask people how they are, their response is a shrug of their shoulders as they say “I’m alright. I’ve got a job.” All in all this is great but what struck me was the tone of resignation, like there’s nothing more. There’s something to be said for being grateful for what you have—a job for example, which these days is a biggie. But, it’s the resignation in the tone that’s been bothering me. Call me a dreamer but I don’t believe in settling. There’s more. There’s always more of a quality of life that we can attain, rather than a quantity of things in our lives that so many of us seem to reach toward instead.

It’s a fact that to survive in today’s economy, daily living has become hinged on a paycheck and benefits. But that’s not living. That’s existing. To me, living means thinking, creating, moving, doing. Not just hanging on to the gray thread of a paycheck. To me, that’s dying. I believe in staying hungry. Staying curious. Yes, there’s always a worse off way to be but that doesn’t mean one has to remain placated and resigned.

Stay grateful but also stay alive! Find something each day that piques your curiosity, something that makes you wonder, laugh, even cry because all of the emotions have a place, but whatever you do, don’t die while you’re still living. Live, love, laugh, be hungry, be curious, and you’ll be grateful for what you’ll find.

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#takingitdeeper

 

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Friday’s Focus—Remembering Memorial Day

It doesn’t matter what side of the political fence you’re on or what your views on war are. The fact is, there is not one generation that hasn’t been touched by war either through personal contact or images on the Internet of soldiers and combat. Even video game battles are as common as photos of a sunrise.

To many, Memorial Day is the traditional kick-off to summer but before there were barbecues and department store sales, Memorial Day was a day borne as a time to remember the men and women who died in service to the U.S.

So as we spend time with our families and friends this weekend and maybe watch the local parade before hauling out the potato salads and burgers, I’d like to take today’s Focus and suggest that we offer a moment during our day and say thanks—say it skyward to those who have passed; say it to the eyes of someone you see in Uniform; and say it by displaying the red paper poppy you received from the Veteran sitting in front of that supermarket door for your donation.

Thanks for their service, their dedication, and for many, too many…their lives.

I know I will.

Have a great weekend!