Today I turn 61.
Not a particularly amazing feat, but getting to this point relatively unscathed I have made a few decisions.
To enjoy the time I have left on this earth I have decided to eliminate a fair amount of stress from my life. It may not add years to my life, but it will add enjoyment. I would rather have a few years of less stress than many years of chaos and strife.
How will you eliminate stress you ask? First off I am eliminating all discussion of politics from my life. That is not to say I will not voice my opinion on peace and human suffering, but I refuse to talk about political issues such as gun control or lowering taxes or raising taxes, or the reach into our lives by corporate America. I am interested in keeping people healthy, children fed, housed and safe and basic human equality. I care not about your religion or politics, the things that concern me are universal and should know no political or religious restraints.
I am going to eliminate from my life the negatives. Those things and persons which have a negative effect on my well being. That's not to say if you have a problem I won't listen, but if all you want to do is bitch about something and not work to fix it, I really am not interested. The things that are negative in my life, such as products from companies that I have a basic philosophical difference with, I will either find that product from a source that shares my philosophy or do without. I can't support a company that abuses their workers or uses it's profits in areas that support ideals contrary to my beliefs.
I am going to become closer to the earth and planet. I will cultivate and nurture my little acreage of land here on the island, and transform it into the zen garden I picture in my heart. I believe that getting more interactive with the earth may not add more years to my life, but it will add more smiles.
I am adding all the artistic bents back into my life. I will renew my love of playing music that has been neglected for so long, as well as the photography and crafts end ( tie dye anyone?).
I am even contemplating changing my name. I have never liked my name, and would like it to reflect not what my parents thought was a great idea, but reflect something that is more in tune with who I am and what I believe in.
I will return to vegetarianism. One of the many great loves of my life ( I have had a couple) introduced me to the veggie lifestyle many years ago and I have since strayed. I have always felt better physically and emotionally when I was veggie, and will return to that. To me it just plain makes sense.
In the end, it just makes sense to me to not hate, and to try and love all that is around you. I know that probably sounds like a lot of hippy dippy BS to most, but it is how I feel and wish to proceed through life. It takes way too much energy to hate the things and people around you, and that energy will come back to bite you in the ass in the end. Tolerance is it's own reward. How can I expect others to tolerate my beliefs if I don't have tolerance for theirs.
So there you have it. The philosophy of life from and Old Dog. Peace, Shalom, Blessed Be.
