HOT AND MUGGY

I read a series of books some years back with a Scifi theme. The characters had to contend with a climate, that changed drastically, from one moment to another. They might be in a desert one day and in a tropical rainforest the next. Well it is not quite that bad here, yet. Still, it was too cool yesterday to have a window open, this Morning it was in the low fifties, now it is 87F and very, very, muggy. The air has been relatively dry until today. 

Two weeks ago, our weather person was fearing that we were heading for a drought, since then we have had upwards to ten inches of rain. There is more rain forecast.

Jamie did my dishes yesterday and today. I think she is trying to take over my job. I don't really think that; she was being helpful because I had extra chores to do, e.g. going to the feed store and take in the recycling.

I really like doing the chores I do; especially the dishes. Sure there are always times, I would like to do nothing, but that is not a comment on the chores. I enjoy tackling a kitchen, that is in chaos, and bringing order to it.

I was recently reading an article that counseled, doing things out of duty spreads little love. Doing things, because you love do to do them, blesses everyone. I have been extremely fortunate or guided in my life. I, very rarely, did work that I didn't find joyful.

I grew up in a predominately working class neighborhood. Even before I was a teenager, I perceived many of my friends resigned themselves to working in a factory, at a job they didn't particularly like, so they could make enough money to live. Working was a means to living; period.

I knew I had to go to college. When the Korean draft was breathing down my neck, I joined the Air Force. Subsequently, I was able to go to college and then graduate school. During my six years in college, some of my relatives would point out, how much money they were making and hint that I was wasting my time. I had a master's degree and several years experience before I made as much money as some of my working class relatives. What they didn't understand, it was never about money. None of the choices I have made in my life were about money. I needed to love what I did. And I always have.

I am not saying that one needs, to go to college, to find what they love to do. I have known auto mechanics who loved their work and besides, were highly evolved, spiritual beings. You can love anything you find yourself doing. However, I have known people who worked all their life and could only look forward to retirement. I think this unhappy phenomena is just as prevalent among those who did go to college. I remember talking to a 45ish social worker, who seemed to spend all his time dreaming of when he could retire. I was shocked. I was doing the same job he was; I felt incredibly blessed. I really loved it.

I spent my working career as a social worker, psychotherapist and a manager of social services. I loved every position because it afforded me the opportunity to serve. When acting as a supervisor, I told my people, "You can not turn off and on the therapist button. Everything you do, either has a positive effect or not. The person you relate to will feel better about themselves or not"

I have spent my life learning how to experience love and spread it to others. And I have a ways to go.

I know now, that happiness comes from finding ways to be of loving service. This can be doing dishes, taking care of animals, helping your wife, entertaining your grandchild, whatever you do, do it with love.

I hope you are enjoying a three day weekend.

Love and Peace,  Gregg