When I first moved into my place in mid-January, I chuckled at the cd player/clock radio on my bed-side table. I unplugged it, and put it on the top shelf of my closet, and pushed it all the way to the back. No-one uses those anymore.
Now, less than a month later, I find myself up on my tip-toes trying to get the CD player without pulling everything else from up there, down onto my head. You see, today I received a CD in the mail (burned on a PC, and just won't play on my Mac). Not just a CD, but a whole gift package from a life-long, 23-year (so far) friend of mine. Every single thing in this gift was so thought-filled (more than thoughtful). Each item chosen for a specific reason: chosen for ME! Delicious healing teas, homemade lip balm, a hand-made card with a heart-warming personal message inside. And a home-burned music CD. It's not even my Birthday, or Christmas, or anything. I've only even seen her once in the past more-than-a-year.
Usually, I get this kind of feeling when I'm in a far-away land and some gracious soul has taken me into their home for the night. Or a stranger has bought me a beer in a random pub, where nobody knows my name, just because I'm standing next to them. It's not very often that, in the regular hustle and bustle of daily life (in a city no less!), do I get such a fuzzy, warm, there's-still-so-much-positive-energy-out-there kind of vibe. It's one of the reasons I travel so much - because I feel so damn good when I do. I suss out interesting places, my heart and my mind so much more open to everything around: delays, rude people, getting lost, being late. I slow down, wander at a snail's pace, smile at everyone - because I truly am happy to live in that moment. All of these things don't matter when you're out on an adventure in a foreign land. I don't see why they matter so much in "regular" life anyway.
This particular package included a sweet, hand-made card - probably by a local, or at least Canadian artist - judging by the real leaves pressed on the front of the card. In the card, the best message. Among other things, my friend writes:
"Thank you for always being YOU and doing whatever it takes to be happy - I look up to you for it."
Not that she has any difficulty being a strong, independent soul, but sometimes I forget how difficult it is for most people to be themselves; how difficult our society has made it, for anyone to just be. I also painfully remember how difficult it was for me to be anything but myself in years past.
When I look at my empty bank account, my two pairs of shoes, and my lack of property, vehicle, wardrobe or fine silverware, I just remind myself of the reasons I've chosen to live my life this way. Life means so much more to those who are happy - not because of wealth, or possessions, or social status or fame - but because they truly love getting up in the morning, spending time with the people they care about, and making the most of their fleeting time on this incredible spinning globe of endless possibilities and beauty. They love what they do each day - they don't just work for big pay-cheques and memberships at the Yacht Club. They pass their happiness and good vibes on to others, and the world instantly becomes a better place. I can look myself in the mirror everyday and smile, knowing I'm being true to myself, and to everyone around me. I'm not in it for the money, it's not "all about the Benjamins", and life doesn't have to be filled with greed, sorrow, pain and suffering.
Go out there and be kind to yourself and others.
All this, because someone, somewhere, thought of me and sent me a CD. Thank-you.
A Renee-warming gift. :) Vancouver, February 2011.
1 comment:
Love.
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