My twist on Edith Wharton's words: She was at the end. Through her mind she saw fragmented images of the life she was leaving, she had swallowed her last dose of medicine. She was choking and she could not breathe and then finally she was dead. She stood on the threshold of a gate to something that was not so tangible. She stepped forward not frightened as her eyes became more familiar with the light. "How beautiful, how satisfying!" she murmured. "Perhaps now I will really know what it means to live." As she spoke she felt a thickening of her heart beat and looking up she
was aware that before her stood the Spirit of Life. The Spirit of Life asked,
"Have you ever known what it is to live?" "I have never known," she
replied.
We live in a world where we are preoccupied with everything except
living life to the fullest. I asked myself what can be done every day to improve
on this and got completely overwhelmed. A three hundred and sixty five day plan
was too much. How could I condense this? This is only a suggestion but could be
very workable. Chose a specific number of items you are going to focus on and
make it happen in your personal life. I chose the number 12. Twelve is one of
the smallest numbers that has a large number of factors, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6;
all divide into 12 without a remainder. The number twelve signifies perfection
or completion. The Christ had 12 disciples, there are 12 months in a year, Jacob
had 12 sons which became 12 tribes--12 seem to be a completely balanced number.
Well here it goes I have twelve coffee cups that I am willing to fill and may it
be said when I am dead and gone that I lived life to the fullest.
1. Filling cup #1 with kindness and understanding because you can't
create hell in the lives of others all day and expect to sleep heavenly all
night.
2. Filling cup #2 with discernment because Hollywood superficial
friendships are not the same as heart and home connections--got to know the
difference.
3. Filling cup #3 with critical thinking because knowledge knows a
tomato is a fruit but wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. The tomato is
not just a fruit--you've got to know how to use it.
4. Filling cup #4 with real relationships because the word "family"
doesn't always mean blood related. The ties that bind are deeply felt and deeply
known by us all.
5. Filling cup #5 with tenacity because sometimes you have to take the
stairs a hundred flights up especially when there is not elevator. Work what you
got and suck it up.
6. Filling cup #6 with thankfulness because the true blessings are the
things money can't buy--count them often and your soul will be
satisfied.
7. Filling cup #7 with laughter because those that laugh the most see
the doctor the least.
8. Filling cup #8 with education because the best teacher is also the
best student.
9. Filling cup #9 with perspective because there is no u-haul to take
my stuff with me once my earthly life is over. Give the best you've got while
you are alive.
10. Filling cup #10 with the golden rule because even if you don't
believe it--you reap what you sow, so plant good seeds.
11. Filling cup #11 with the bottom line because money only gives you
choices. Love, health and contentment are not for sale.
12. Filling cup #12 with love because it covers a multitude of faults
even the ones I think should not be included.
This is Tuesday talk and my cup is filled.
©2011/2012/2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved