Today's I was driving along and was thinking of all the great people and 'things' that I have in my life. And it totally blew me away. I will often do this, as it seems to keep things in perspective. It also allows you to realize and be thankful when things are going well in your life, for what you have. But it's also human to not realize what you have, until something bad happens in life to either you, or someone you love. Then it makes you realize. We also all too often, just think about life and what we have during the holidays, no more so, than the two that are approaching in the next few months.
I recently put a note in our bathroom, near the sink/mirror, the first place I go when I wake up. So I can't help to see when I reach to turn on the water, a note that tells me a few things:
It tells me to 'take one day at a time'. Sounds simple, and easy enough to do, however it might be one of the most difficult things to do. With today's fast paced world, and thinking about all the things we have to do, it’s hard to take one day at a time. I used this method to lose 40lbs over the summer. Recovering alcoholics use it to help them with not drinking. So over the summer I was thinking, maybe it could help me in my goal to change my weight. And it did! My mentality was, I know for one day I could get my 1-2 hours of exercise in, I knew for that day I wouldn't drink soda, I knew for that day I could eat healthy. I knew I had control over that day. What I didn't know, was what tomorrow was going to bring. And that was okay. Because today I knew, was all I had for sure.
Not only did that help me with my goal of losing weight, it also all of the sudden, put life into perspective. Each day I wake up now, I know I can have control of that day. The one day at a time approach, allowed me to notice 'life'. I walk outside now, and I actually hear the birds, I actually 'feel' the warm sun or cold air. I appreciate the voice of my wife when I talk to her, or my family when I talk to them. It made me a more patient person as well. The person who drives 10 mph below the speed limit in front of me now, doesn’t bother me. I realize they aren't doing it out of malice. It just has made me aware of 'life', and the 'things' for lack of a better word, that are in my life. Something now as simple as new bed sheets and the smell of them, or sometimes I will stop and realize out of the blue, how lucky I am to have my hearing, or my sight, or the ability to walk. There are people that would do love to be able to do those. One day at a time has made me appreciate life. I know that sounds really strange, that something as small as the smell of new sheets is something that makes me appreciate life, but I use that as an example that, if you take the time to think for a second, those would be the first things you would miss.
One of the things that started my reflection today was I was thinking about my Grandma Cassady, who went to be with God about 6-7 months ago. She took life, and lived every little bit out of it. She was a great person to learn from growing up. She loved this time of the year. I miss her a lot, and I am thankful for the 27 years I got to spend with her. The follow is a letter I had read at her funeral.
There is an acronym that has the letters L-T-M-A-L. And at first glance these letters formed together mean nothing. They don’t spell a word, and if you try and sound it out, you might sound silly in doing so. However these letters with the meaning they had behind them, changed my world forever.
I once asked my Grandma and Grandpa, what this abbreviation meant. After all, we would visit them, and we would see it everywhere. A note on the door, another one on Grandma’s crossword book, or one on the remote that Grandpa kept close to his chair.
Little Things Mean A Lot, they told me. Still to this day, I don’t know the story of how it got started, or what it truly meant to them. I was so blown away of the power of that statement, and I figured the story behind it was ‘theirs’, and that is what made it so special to them.
However, from that day on, I’ve used it to guide me through this, often times curious world we live in. Those words, I am convinced is how Grandma saw the world. Simple, when broken down to its core, yet serious enough that life and those in it, mean a lot, even the small things.
As we celebrate my Grandma’s life today, L-T-M-A-L has never meant so much. The little things that meant a lot to me will never be lost. A statement so powerful, that you can use it as a pillar in living your life and a statement in how we can treat others.
We each have memories of the little things she had done for us. Many of those today will be told, and others, like the true meaning behind the reason they used it, will be a secret between us and her. Grandma was a teacher of life, a trait I am sure she was too humble to know she had. Little did she know, the impact of how those little things she did for us, might just positively impact a life.
Her teachings and her love came natural. Her smile and kindness touched your soul, and calling her my Grandma is something that will always be an honor.
One day we will meet again, in a place so magical no earthly words are fit to describe it. Until then, I celebrate a life of someone who will never be replaced, and her love and memories will always remain. I will take her passion for life and remind myself everyday to remember that, Little Things Mean A Lot. And not only do they mean a lot, but what they can do for one’s life.
I end with what I think are the fitting words from Dr. Seuss,
‘Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!’
Today Grandma I smile because your life happened, and I was blessed enough to be in it as your Grandson.
After all, a SMILE is a Little Thing That Means A Lot.
Take the time and tell those who you love and care for, that you love them. Tell them how important they are to you. My Grandma did this every chance she got with me. And now that she is gone, I have taken that with me every day. Reflect on the 'little things', because they truly do mean a lot.
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