I am delaying The Secret to Happiness Part 2 until tomorrow because I thought this might be helpful today.
I lucked out. I’m a healthy, happily-married white heterosexual man with a good job in a rich country that isn’t in immediate danger of war or revolution. It’s a bit wet and chilly here, but we rarely have extreme weather. Mostly it’s a thoroughly pleasant place for someone like me to live. Because the culture was built specifically for people like me. That doesn’t make me good or right or more deserving. It just makes me lucky.
This leads me to two thoughts:
When I write about things that have worked for me, remember how lucky I am. My luck doesn’t invalidate what I have to say. It does mean that some things which are easy for me are difficult for other people.
Your situation isn’t exactly the same as mine. It might be much easier or much harder. But know this: you lucked out too. The earth shook in Turkey and Syria yesterday and now 3,000 people are dead before they should be.
Don’t be ashamed of your luck – you can’t control the effects of your birth and upbringing – but be aware of it. It brings you both privilege and blindness. Use the former for good. Strive to reduce the latter.
Above all, don’t waste your luck. Look for ways to spread it around to others, to multiply it. What a tragedy it would be if you and I with our lucky lives didn’t bring all the thriving goodness that we have to offer to the world!
Start your day with some words of gratitude, then give yourself fully to LIVING.
Someone purple and shy has arrived in the village. Perhaps you can leave a small cake on the porch for them.
In the olden days (15 years ago) before everyone had access to all the music, Trent Reznor made an album and gave it away online. It was my introduction to the music of Nine Inch Nails. I love the vitality of this track. (Spotify).
Grow slowly
Jeff
I thought that was my violet mantra 🕉️ peeking out at me Gus sec. Cake it is. I’m aware of my privilege as a white woman. 🪷