You have a roof over your head, and if you didn’t, you’d go to Big 5 and buy a tent because you are a survivor. You have enough to eat and relatively clean water to drink. You have people who love you, and even if you didn’t, you could still give love to the best of your ability, which would improve the quality of your life.
Although some days are challenging, you have enough health to make a life for yourself, but even if you or those you love lose health, you can still seek medical care. If you lose those you love or lose your health, remember that no one can diminish your spirit unless you allow it. Neither be overjoyed in success nor destroyed by defeat.
Stay calm, find joy in the simple tasks and in nature and babies and sunshine and kindness and love. Since the dawn of humans, our ancestors have survived, and you will too. There is good and evil in the world; continue to focus on and nurture the good. And if you take all this to heart, when your time here on this giant blue ball hurtling through space comes to an end, I guarantee, you will have peace in your heart and leave things here better than you found them. Stay strong, nurture yourself and the earth, give love, help others, seek peace, and continue to be kind.
Mary Beaudoin
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 8, 2024.