Pools of Inspiration
I usually don't read obituaries unless I knew the person, but the other day I read one and I found it -oddly- inspiring.
This sweet little old lady had lived to be 102 years old. It said she took a walk through the park every day, rain or shine, even when she was 100 years old. She swore by it, and attributed her walks to her longevity and mobility. As I continued to read, I was touched to see how many other lives she touched -- even into old age she was very active in various social groups, from gardening to fine tea to you name it -- she had used her long life to master many subjects. She had a prize-winnning garden. She had donated her time freely to help others in the community, from feeding the less fortunate to helping less experienced gardeners who needed the guidance of a master gardener. She had never had children, but she had a kind heart and she nurtured every stranger she had come into contact with in some way. I realized she had lived a long and full life, and she had mastered the art of living: to dedicate herself to her own health and longevity by cultivating healthy habits, to satisfy her numerous interests, and most importantly, to touch the lives of countless others in a positive way and to serve her community. I got the sense that she was not only a free spirit, but also a role model in our community.
We would all be doing well by the end of our lives to have lived a long life, to have never stopped learning, and to have touched many, many lives in a positive way as we went about our journey. I suspect she was happy in life, because of the volume of happiness she gave to others. I doubt anyone who kept that busy had time to be depressed. I compared my life to hers, and realized how different it was, how much sadder I am, and how I hold so much of myself back. But it took her 102 years to master the art of living, and perhaps when she was 30 she was still figuring out what it took to make her happy and fulfilled too. ;-)
If inspiration can be found in a random obituary, certainly it must pool around us abundantly if we are open to seeing it. Every day is full of opportunities for happiness. The essence of life is joy -- but it's up to us to live it well. <3
This sweet little old lady had lived to be 102 years old. It said she took a walk through the park every day, rain or shine, even when she was 100 years old. She swore by it, and attributed her walks to her longevity and mobility. As I continued to read, I was touched to see how many other lives she touched -- even into old age she was very active in various social groups, from gardening to fine tea to you name it -- she had used her long life to master many subjects. She had a prize-winnning garden. She had donated her time freely to help others in the community, from feeding the less fortunate to helping less experienced gardeners who needed the guidance of a master gardener. She had never had children, but she had a kind heart and she nurtured every stranger she had come into contact with in some way. I realized she had lived a long and full life, and she had mastered the art of living: to dedicate herself to her own health and longevity by cultivating healthy habits, to satisfy her numerous interests, and most importantly, to touch the lives of countless others in a positive way and to serve her community. I got the sense that she was not only a free spirit, but also a role model in our community.
We would all be doing well by the end of our lives to have lived a long life, to have never stopped learning, and to have touched many, many lives in a positive way as we went about our journey. I suspect she was happy in life, because of the volume of happiness she gave to others. I doubt anyone who kept that busy had time to be depressed. I compared my life to hers, and realized how different it was, how much sadder I am, and how I hold so much of myself back. But it took her 102 years to master the art of living, and perhaps when she was 30 she was still figuring out what it took to make her happy and fulfilled too. ;-)
If inspiration can be found in a random obituary, certainly it must pool around us abundantly if we are open to seeing it. Every day is full of opportunities for happiness. The essence of life is joy -- but it's up to us to live it well. <3