“What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other.”
– George Eliot
What if life could be like this?
Call me a hopeless dreamer, but I think it could.
Like Amélie, we can spread our simple pleasures and all of life's beauties around, even to those who seem like they wouldn't be able to view beauty the way the rest of us do.
I happen to think things are lovely when they're glowing with virtue. What's more virtuous than a generous action?
What if they made it so you could play a certain game like this with a cheat code?
If you don't like excessive YouTube clips, I'm sorry, but isn't it funny that a commercial, for of all things, Coca-Cola, could illustrate a point so well?
"You're gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do."
It's true, you know. By our fruits, or, what we produce, you and I will be remembered.
Life's simple pleasures are a two-way street. We can do simple things, give people simple joys that will make life better. Better for us, and better for others.
How `bout it? Let's be do-gooders on a mission. It takes some creativity, that is, creative self-insertion: "Hmm. What would I want if I were (insert name here)? What if I were sad or scared or apathetic or ______? What if I were emoting what this person is emoting? What would be just the ticket to making my life, or even just my mood more lovely?"
Let's let our virtuous, happy joy in helping people shine through everything we do; let it shine through every sentence we write, every good work we can think up.
They're called good works because it takes work. But like with most work, it pays off and leaves a sense of tired satisfaction.
Spending your days in the company of many different people teaches you something: Some people are hard to reach
They're full of prickles. It's hard to want to help them.
You know what? We should try anyway. Let's be sure to catalog it too, so we don't forget.
(If you'd like, you can report back to me via my comments/email how it goes. This would be splendorous.)
Call me a hopeless dreamer, but I think it could.
Like Amélie, we can spread our simple pleasures and all of life's beauties around, even to those who seem like they wouldn't be able to view beauty the way the rest of us do.
I happen to think things are lovely when they're glowing with virtue. What's more virtuous than a generous action?
What if they made it so you could play a certain game like this with a cheat code?
If you don't like excessive YouTube clips, I'm sorry, but isn't it funny that a commercial, for of all things, Coca-Cola, could illustrate a point so well?
"You're gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do."
It's true, you know. By our fruits, or, what we produce, you and I will be remembered.
Life's simple pleasures are a two-way street. We can do simple things, give people simple joys that will make life better. Better for us, and better for others.
How `bout it? Let's be do-gooders on a mission. It takes some creativity, that is, creative self-insertion: "Hmm. What would I want if I were (insert name here)? What if I were sad or scared or apathetic or ______? What if I were emoting what this person is emoting? What would be just the ticket to making my life, or even just my mood more lovely?"
Let's let our virtuous, happy joy in helping people shine through everything we do; let it shine through every sentence we write, every good work we can think up.
They're called good works because it takes work. But like with most work, it pays off and leaves a sense of tired satisfaction.
Spending your days in the company of many different people teaches you something: Some people are hard to reach
They're full of prickles. It's hard to want to help them.
You know what? We should try anyway. Let's be sure to catalog it too, so we don't forget.
(If you'd like, you can report back to me via my comments/email how it goes. This would be splendorous.)
Whenever I hear a child say "I don't really like that person" or "That person [insert negative comment]" I try to give them at least three possible reasons why that other child could be acting in such an undesirable way. If we could all be willing to give others the benefit of the doubt, we'd be better off. I will try to do more good deeds this week. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteYay! Me too:) Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You're lucky enough to work in a service profession (Most jobs are service professions if you think about it -- except maybe professional politician;).) Cross fingers that I will do the same some day. You get to do good deeds just with your job! You're already an everyday hero, haha:)
Christy - I love that method of thinking.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to use it with your own children, too - to think about the reasons behind their actions, instead of just thinking that they are being disobedient because they "want" to be.
Humans beings are incredibly complex - there's always more to us than meets the eye, and when you're willing to just give folks the benefit of the doubt, you're a lot more willing to do nice things for strangers - like your post was about.
I love reading your blog, Kait ;) You're so awesome!
Thanks so much Becca. Anyone can see you're a wonderful mom who tries her best to be better every day. There's no more important job on earth, and there are no better good deeds than those a mom does.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind. P.S. I love your newest post about the aprons. They're adorable!
I love how you see things, and you're not the only one.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! I loved your ideas for being a do-gooder on a mission!
ReplyDeleteThinking of helping "cactus" made my grin but I appreciate your point.