It's Up To Us!

It’s been several years since I first began working with people and even though I long ago passed the once coveted goal that some called “Freedom 55” I continue to see clients.  In fact, there have been over 8,000 of them!

Many ask me why I am so passionate and devoted to helping others and I often reply by saying “As long as I am healthy and helpful, why not?”

The truth is that I also benefit from the wisdom, insight and humour of everyone who is open enough to share it.  Others keep me up to date on world events – local and global – as well as how these are affecting them – good and bad.  They also share how they are impacting the world.

Having a healthy life means knowing what we can control and letting go of what we can’t control. Investing a great deal of time listening to reports about troubles in other countries that we might not even be able to locate on a map can be very depressing.  In fact, it is much easier and more productive to think about how we can make a positive impact in our own community.

Most of us have heard the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi which begins “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace”.  These words are challenging at an individual level.  Each of us can benefit by reading these words with the idea that we can improve our own lives and the lives of those around us by operationalizing them.

Found on the wall of Mother Theresa’s home for children in Calcutta was a poem that she is likely most remembered for.  Because of its powerful message I will quote the entire poem here for everyone to ponder:

“People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

If you find sincerity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

The good you do today will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.”

Both of these writings call us to account when it comes to how we act and the choices that we make.

You can make a positive difference in the world and that begins right in this very moment!