Thoughts from the Lawnmower

You would be surprised what thoughts you can come up with while mowing the lawn or just doing a mundane chore. Here is a list of 10 things that I personally believe that we as humanity as a whole might need to start practicing. In spite of the cynicism that I am currently battling with daily directed towards the future of our nation and our world, I believe that we can at least start making progress if we practice these steps:

1.      You can’t always get what you want.  No one is guaranteed comfort in life; happiness is a choice that must be made every day.  Pain, Disappointment, Failure, and Embarrassment are as much a part of human nature as Joy, Satisfaction, Success, and Comfort.  In fact, you cannot truly appreciate the later without the former.  Find grace in the hard times and learn from your mistakes.

2.      The world will not stop for you.  Society was here long before you and in all likelihood will keep on going after you are gone.  It’s a fact, get used to it.

3.      The only thing you can truly control is your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. Take responsibility for yourself and your decisions.  If you make a mistake, own up to it and do better next time.  No one can live your life for you but you.

4.      Learn the difference between true and faux-compassion.  Having sympathy for one person or group does not justify demonizing another.

5.      Being hateful and dismissive of everyone else in the name of “being happy with yourself” will not bring you happiness.  If you expect everyone to love you for just being yourself, you will only find disappointment. Show compassion to others and it will come back to you.

6.      It’s okay to not have it all together, but you have to take responsibility for yourself.  We are all trying to figure out how to navigate this thing called life, but the point is to keep moving forward.

7.      Hurt people, hurt people.  Before you assume that someone’s attitude towards you is simply a reflection of their nature, try to see if there is more beneath the surface.

8.      Your pain does not justify your behavior.  No matter what you may be going through, there is a very likely chance that someone else has as well.

9.      Don’t attack the hand that is trying to help you up.  Not everyone is trying to hurt you, sometimes people actually want to help, give them a chance.

10.  Don’t take life too seriously.  Here is a secret: None of us are going to make it out alive. Stop and smell the roses, take risks, make mistakes, see every breath as a blessing, a second chance to try again.