Living in a World of Negatives

I am surrounded by family and friends who are living in a world of pain. Not pain in the physical sense, but pain as it comes through feelings and emotions and life’s struggles. I have been internalizing this pain of theirs and it has had an effect on my daily life. I catch myself wondering how they are doing and if I can help in any way or even if I have the stamina and strength to help.

Then there is the guilt that I could be a happier person if I wasn’t dealing with their reality. The quote that you are “only as happy as your least happy child” or in my case also grandchildren and friends is with me always.

So how do we as caring humans live in this world of negatives? It isn’t just our close family and friends and their daily lives; the negatives are all around us. We can hear about them hourly as the troubles of the world are at our doorstep. We can choose to shut it out, but that doesn’t change what is happening. I prefer to be informed.

I stepped out on our deck one morning in bare feet and felt the cold of the frost the previous night. I watched the leaves drifting down like snowflakes as the sun came up and hit the trees at the end of the meadow. The creek flowing by our house brought a calmness to me. I went back in to get my camera, but knew it could not capture what nature was showing me. For a short time the scene in front of me cleansed my brain as I told myself to stop, breathe, take it in.

When my son was in high school he memorized a poem by an unknown author that he found in an obscure book. I shared it with some family and

one of my nieces illustrated the poem with flowers around the written words and gave it to me. It is framed and hanging in my son’s old bedroom. It seems to fit how I think I should face life when negativity gets me down.

THE COURAGEOUS HEART

I know that stars are in the sky

    I know the rivers run,

I know the ocean tides obey

    The mandate of the sun.

I know the flowers trust in God

    As year by year they bloom

Then why should I so fearful be

    Of destiny or doom?

I know that through all life there runs

    One great eternal law.

I know that ignorance is sin

    And fear the only flaw.

And knowing truth and fearing naught

    I go my quiet way,

Assured that a courageous heart

    Shall win the darkest day

Music that fits into this mood perfectly and can soothe one’s soul is Ashokan Farewell. It is a tender song that tells life’s story in so many ways. Ken Burns used it in his Civil War series on PBS a few years back. If you feel like taking the time to listen to this beautiful melody go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RMNoIzUY-0