Day Three of the New Year

This picture makes me smile.  Why?  Because it literally sparkles. 

And offers hope and light and love.  Sunshine brings illumination and openness to our hearts and heads. That's what I'm thinking about this third day of January, 2010.

Today on one of my favorite TV shows, SUNDAY MORNING (with Charles Osgood) there were many inspirational segments.   First, one on Johnny Mercer, the lyricist of Moon River, Hooray for Hollywood and other Grammy-award winning songs.  He hailed from Savannah, GA and left for New York to become an actor but got side-tracked into writing songs for musicals and the rest, as they say, is history.  He died, at age 67, of a brain tumor and is buried back in Savannah.

Next, a segment on Dafna Michaelson, a nice Jewish girl from Denver, who visited 50 states in 52 weeks highting many folks who are doing good in the world.  Like the teacher in Montpelier, VT who started a food bank, for the poor, right in Montpelier High School and now feeds thousands of people and helps students learn how to grow and give food (and care) to others.  And the list goes on.   To see what she did in 50 states, go to www.50in52journey.com and click on every license plate representing a different state.  Amazing what one person can do if they put their mind to it.  She is a real inspiration to me and wonderful person to be introduced to as we start the new year.

The show also highlighted the good and bad of 2009 and the decade that preceeded us.  Mostly, people were disappointed with how the previous year, and decade before, went.  Citing unemployment rises and mortgage declines, Katrina, the World Trade Towers, plane and stock market crashes and many untimely deaths, it wasn't our best period in history.  Yet, there were some victories proving, once again, that nothing is all one way or the other.  Everything has some good and some challenges to it.  When you think about your life, what might some of those "yin/yang" moments be?

As I think about mine, I feel grateful that I have so many wonderful pets!  My new Sweetie Sue pup is adorable, companionable, considerate and enthusiastic.  As are the Kits.  They're all so affectionate and enjoyable, that I feel like the luckiest lady in the world, sometimes.  Then, I have darker moments.  Of loneliness (especially at holidays) and isolation.  Of ruminations and regrets, worries and woes about the future.  Who doesn't?

The segment of premature passings offered a jolt.  To honor and be grateful for each day you're healthy and here on Earth.  Nay, each breath.  Losing Michael Jackson, Patrick Swazey, countless "missing children," our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers-- soldiers all.  Yes, life is sometimes a maze and other times amazing; often a puzzle, sometimes a joke.  Yes, from time-to-time, we find ourselves wondering, "why?"  Or, more likely, "why, me?"  Sure, we'd all like to live the pleasure principle each and every day of our lives, enjoying close families, true friends and enough rapture and romance to last a lifetime.  But, then reality shows come on, and we wince and flinch and change the channel.  At least I do!

Perhaps, as we start the new year, we can try to do better, be better and give more than we receive.  I've kept my pledge, so far, to clean, purge and sort for at least an hour a day and already feel better about the fruits of my labor.  Plus, my family room is looking pretty spiffy if not downright inviting.

So ends the first decade of the 21st century and begins another.  

May it be filled with sparkles and sunlight for us all!