A favorite prompt that a writing teacher once gave suggests:
Look around and see what you can see.
When I look, what do I see? The world is noisy, angry, irrational, and cruel. People hurt each other – from their storehouse of brokenness. So, a quiet moment on our porch is a good place to catch my breath, even when gardening chores abound. At least I have chores to do, and the strength to do them, right?
Take A Look Around
I see quiet when I look around our backyard, even if the beds are screaming for attention. More over, I feel peace, even if the chores are multiplying because of clement weather.
It’s a scary place out there – in the world — where everybody is doing right in his or her own eyes. That’s not new . . . fifty or sixty years ago was just as scary a time as today – I was too young to understand how or why.
When I look around my world, what I see is an overcoming tsunami of evil, with no higher ground to which we may flee because of doubt in a power greater than we. When I look around my garden, I see a blooming beauty that I did not create.
Then, I look around and see myself navigating through these interesting times.
It’s just as scary. (Proverbs 14:1)
Avoiding by mirrors so we can’t see our old selves when we look around doesn’t mean others can’t see how well you and I are wearing the years – and I remember something my mother frequently said: Old folks don’t just get mean one day – they’ve had a lot of practice.
You can’t hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life. ~Author Unknown
Fear and frustration are never flattering colors; nor is know-it-all-ism. But the most unattractive color is being unprepared, or unwilling to sharing the Gospel, with gentleness and usefulness. True colors that look well on all us aging folks include courage, kindness, and humility. And humor.
Laugh at yourself first – before anyone else can ~ Elsa Maxwell
The crucial task of old age is balance, wrote Florida Scott Maxwell; yes, literally, but emotionally and spiritually, too. When I look around see what I can see, I remember a prayer worth praying:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24Living Bible (TLB)
Thanks for reading! When you look around, what do you see?
PS: You might also enjoy Psalm 131