‘It’s 60 degrees this morning. The sky is clear, the air is clear, and the mountains appear closer than they have in weeks. The pollution and wildfire smoke that had clouded the entire valley in a constant, dense haze that was unpleasing to eye and lungs were washed away by the two-day rain that just concluded.
It was June the last time we recorded a rainfall. It had been two months of bad air and pollution accumulating in the valley. But this morning, the air is clear, fresh, invigorating. Breeding with it an open-minded heartfelt gratitude for every rough step along the way. Because on the other side of every drought and smog-filled valley is the next rainfall and the storms that drive the ‘bad’ away. Storms that leave behind a peaceful, tranquil environment begging to be enjoyed.
The calm, still, clean morning ambience after a violently turbulent storm reminds me that ‘this too shall pass.’ When times are tough–this too shall pass. When times are perfect–this too shall pass. Enjoy this moment. Enjoy all moments for what they are–part of the wonderful life we have been graciously given. No matter what you are feeling whether it be good or bad, it will eventually pass.
May peace and comfort find each of us daily.’ – 8/14/24
This journal entry seemed relevant today. May we all love our neighbors as ourselves. All of them. Excluding no one especially the one that does not agree with you. Be kind to them without expectation. Pull their weeds, walk up their trash can, sweep their driveway, bag their leaves, invite them over for a beverage or a meal, or just simply smile, wave, and say ‘hello.’ This is how kindness can be shown every day to our neighbors.
In my experience, the act of service carries the most weight, but they are better received if they are done with their permission. I’ve lived amongst the elderly many times throughout my life and none of them usually will have an issue with you doing something for them. But there are younger, more independent minded neighbors who may take offense if you are pulling weeds from their flower beds without them knowing. It’s best to communicate kindly first before serving them.
Do this for a year and watch your street transform. Observe the neighbors that hadn’t spoken once since you moved-in suddenly engage in hour long jubilant conversations while standing barefoot on their driveway at dusk. Observe the teams of neighbors that help clear the snow off a struggling senior citizens driveway. Take notice of all of the kindness that will follow.
Let this mindset spill into the market and workplace. Be kind. Serve others. It’s not about winning. It’s not about winning. It’s not about winning.
There are a few vindictive, hard-hearted people that I know personally who operate under the guise that they are being kind and loving. One or two may be reading this right now. There is no place for the rigid or vindictive within a kind heart. There is no room for self-righteousness within a kind heart. And a kind heart will never perform such acts of service to spurn another. A kind heart does it–simply to be kind.
It’s horrific what is being reported from Orem yesterday. A terrifying story. A story that should drive us to love each other and be kind without judgement as the responsibility of judging another has been completely removed from each of us. Act accordingly. “This too shall pass.”
I’ll return to sports after today. This message just seemed relevant for the time. Thank you for allowing me to share and for reading. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Whit W.