Haves and Have Nots

I'm writing a bit earlier in the day today -- actually it's my lunch hour -- because I want to leave plenty of time tonight to watch Glee.  Yes, I confess, I'm a Gleek.  I truly love the show, from the music to the characters, the story arcs, the great acting, singing and dancing, and of course, the way they make putting on a show look so easy.  But Glee is not the point today.

One of the very basic lessons I have learned -- but sometimes must be reminded of -- I relearned today.  Or at least I was reminded about and remembered to go back to this basic.  Sometimes it is very easy to get caught up focusing too much on the things we don't have, rather than the things we do have.  Yes, it's easy to look at it in terms of material goods -- a house, a car, nice furniture (or needing one of the above).

But sometimes it can be something more intangible.  We expend a lot of energy and time concentrating on or daydreaming about something we wish we had -- like a different job, fame, a size 2 body, the perfect mate -- and we lose sight of what is right under our nose. 

Not only that, we can get trapped by getting lost in those daydreams by unrealistic and negativistic thinking.  By that I mean when setbacks come along or difficult circumstances, do we withdraw into the daydream of the perfect fantasy mate, the perfect size 2 body, in our mind -- while on the outside we flail at the people around us because they are not who we want them to be?  Or do we look at those circumstances as opportunities to learn from the event or the person and grow -- not because we're looking for a fantasy, perfect mate -- but because we want to be the best person to whomever is our REAL mate (either the one we have now or the one we will have).

So I am looking around me and taking in what I have been given -- and it is so very, very much.  I have the sun by day, and the moon and stars by night.  I have wonderful, loving people in my life -- family of birth and family of choice.  I am watching multiple generations growing up and exploring the beauties and mysteries of life.  I have interesting and meaningful work to do that makes a difference in people's lives -- and I do it with people that I really, really care about.  I have a roof over my head, and plenty of food to go into my belly.  I don't have everything, but I don't need everything.  I have everything I need.

Finally, I think I have a pretty good understanding of my place in the Universe.  I'm still trying to ask the right questions there.  Don't have all the answers -- probably never will.  But I'm still asking.  That's what it's all about.