You have to love one line emails. They are quick to process and easy to delete because you can remember one line. Meet the inbox winner this morning:
Are you crazy?”
In like fashion, I answered with one line:
Why, yes, but however did you notice?”
I realize the Internet is a powerful thing; and my laptop has an onboard web cam (note to self: make sure it is disabled); and I blog, write, comment, et cetera, about my everyday, mundane life and experience; and a lot of people know me or know of me. But…
What is behind Curtain #2, Bob?
Judging based upon the vignette you see can be dangerous. Pandora really thought the box was beautiful.
Look at the pretty colors!
When was the last time you flipped through your photo albums? What did you see? I bet I can guess some of them.
- Birthday celebrations
- Baby pictures
- Nights on the town
- Wedding photographs
- Funny happenings
- Beautiful scenery
- Smiles
Why is that?
We want to remember the happy times. We record them for posterity to peruse when times are not so happy, easy or uplifting. They bring us pleasure and a warm nostalgia which is ofttimes enough to combat what would otherwise be a miserable day.
The Deep Dark Secret
My albums include some very heart-wrenching photographs as well. I temper all the sugary merriment with snapshots of the tough times. Why? Much to the dismay of my emailer, for the same sane reason I have the happy ones. To remember…
What NOT to do
In the grand scheme of lessons learned, we have to remember a few life truths:
- Without the mistakes we make, we would not be where we are today.
- Were it not for scar tissue, some of us would disassemble.
- Healing necessarily means learning.
- A degree from the School of Hard Knocks is more valuable than a sheepskin.
- Sometimes, knowing what NOT to do is more important than knowing what TO do.
Salt on my Melon
You never know how good things are until they have gone horridly awry. The saltiness of the bad times lets us know how sweet the good times really are. Since salt is bad for your heart, keep those times to a minimum, but use them to savor the sweetness.
awarewriter
/ December 14, 2011How do I maintain perspective? I make images, I write, I meditate, I read, I listen to music, I laugh, I visit my mother, I enjoy dinner with Tracy, I watch the room light up when Maddy or Livvy smile. And the list goes on.
How do I remember how good I have it? I wake up each day.
Life without contrast would be no life at all Red. You understand. Mistakes show you what you don’t want so you can sharpen focus on what you do want.
BTW — Salt is NOT bad for your heart. That’s a myth that’s been foisted on us out of ignorance. In fact, low sodium is very dangerous, especially in the elderly. The animals are smarter than us humans — they have salt licks.
John
annmariedwyer
/ December 14, 2011Aye, salt is a necessary ingredient to blood…it is why pregnant women crave pickles. Shh. Sometimes you need a little propaganda to keep the show rolling.
Excellent list, BTW. Red.
grantahelms
/ December 14, 2011To maintain perspective, all I have to do is wake up. Breathing is a gift from God, if I’m doing that, then I am blessed. Second one is no prob. When my wife kisses me good morning and the little one’s hug me and say I love you, it’s hard to forget how good I have it. Thanks for the view Red, Grant
annmariedwyer
/ December 14, 2011Signs of a happy man, Grant! Red.
Marc Phillippe Babinau
/ December 14, 2011Some people have it better than others, it’s been that way since there were more than one person on the planet. No matter how down I get or how bad things get (I have had more than my share of sad stories) I always remember that something good will come. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but it will come.
annmariedwyer
/ December 14, 2011That is a terrific attitude, Marc! Red.
prenin
/ December 15, 2011I know what you mean! 🙂
I have only two photographs from my childhood, the rest are in the hands of my sperm donor (he does not deserve to be a ‘father’) who has sworn to kill me on sight.
Once he days I hope to get them back, but until then…
I guess I’ve had a lot of bad times, but I have replaced them with good memories and I am happy, so I guess I succeeded.
Love and hugs!
Prenin.
annmariedwyer
/ December 15, 2011I completely get the sperm donor thing. And being able to say, I am happy, is success! {HUGZ} Red.
prenin
/ December 15, 2011Once he DIES I hope to get them back! LoL
prenin
/ December 15, 2011Hi Red! 🙂
I might look into that – I’m not exactly rich – so thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
God Bless!
Prenin.
annmariedwyer
/ December 15, 2011Pren, there are more than a quarter million books which are free. Also lending libraries who allow you up to two weeks to read before the file goes blank. It is worth looking into a mite! 🙂 Red.
totsymae1011
/ December 15, 2011Very nice post.
I write. I shower to clear my head. I pray. I paint. Go for a walk.
annmariedwyer
/ December 15, 2011Good to see you! All of those are wonderful! Red.
bear
/ December 15, 2011Pictures are worth a thousand words and millions of memories, I too have pictures of horrible things that have happened in my life.But I chose to focus on the good ones when I take time look at the pictures. I have always held on to this. If you think you have it bad, just look around within minutes you will find someone who has it much worse than you do. And I thank God everyday. Bear
annmariedwyer
/ December 15, 2011Great mentality, Bear. Comparison is the key to perspective. Red.
nigelld
/ December 18, 2011Without sadness, happiness would become mundane!
Nigel
;-)l
Webmaster
/ January 8, 2012Reblogged this on moresinc.