Ch-ch-changes Ver2

I written in this Blog previously how social media leaves me in a dichotomous state, at times striking wonder and awe, others furrowing my brow in consternation. How can a 'service' prompt such a wide range of emotional responses? With a shrug and grin, I'll simply tolerate the bad with the good, armed by the knowledge that had I chosen to close my accounts, I'd be missing out on little gems like the one below, nor would I be able to share these thoughts as widely or easily.

I'm betwixt and between, if I'm honest!

I'll start with a plea for your forgiveness since this has been posted over and over on various platforms, but in the oft chance that it escaped your scrolling ambivalence, I've provided a copy. I've looked to see if I can uncover the original author but while the words are a popular topic on a plethora of platforms, no hard evidence of the owner was discovered.

I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:
1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5. I stopped telling the elderly that they've already told that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.
6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”
8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9. I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.
14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?

Listen, I'm proud of myself!

With all humbleness and humility, I feel that I 'live' many of these little gems, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm still working on numbers 3, 4, and 13, at least to an extent. 

Re #3: I don't haggle with vendors like the kind I meet when I attend a Farmer's Market because they work really, really hard and deserve my few shekels, but I'm not against shopping like a hawk at the big box stores or grocery chains. They're already registering record profits off the 'supply chain' issues, or so they claim, so I'll keep my shekels, thank you very much. Thanks to a generous pension, and the extra earned through refereeing and supply teaching, I don't feel the need to 'penny pinch', so I'll freely choose who to give money to and who not to.

Re #4: In that same vein, I am NEVER opposed to tipping appropriate amounts for services rendered, be them amazing or horrid, and although I have never had the courage to leave a zero, I have also rarely felt compelled to leave an exorbitant sum. I will tell you though, I am slowly simmering over the trend I've noted these past few years, of tips being requested for services where I've done most of the work. Case in point, I was purchasing some treats at a local bakery during a recent bike ride, and upon paying the hefty asking price with debit, I was presented with the option to add a tip, with auto choices of 20%, 24%, and 28%? Seriously? I've seen this at all manner of places as well ... fast food, oil change shops, even hardware stores?

Re #13: I do strive to make each day count, doing my best to be present and enjoy what the Divine Plan feeds me each day, but I'd be remiss if I didn't find myself looking forward with an intention or longing, especially if it includes some cycling or travelling. Although I'm loving the relaxing freedom of retirement, those previously mentioned income streams allow for the extras without tapping resources accrued during the working years. I can easily entertain myself or thoroughly enjoy the company of my beloved bestie, but I do enjoy being busy with a variety of things that leave me with a sense of both fulfillment and satisfaction. 

I wholeheartedly feel that the message intended has extreme value and should be required reading on every decade's celebratory loop of ol' Sol because, Lord knows, we have absolutely have no idea how much time we have left, a fact driven home yet again with the recent passing of my Queen's FB buddy Jet. 

To the author, my sincere thanks for taking the time to stir my soul.

Enjoy the pondering the above items may cause.