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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Packing in the Dark

Photo Credit:  Xenia from morgueFile.com
Last week, we went on our final little summer getaway before school starts.  I did what I always do.  I waited until the last possible second to pack.  I hate packing.  I don’t know why.  I just do.

It seems like such a daunting task.  Packing for one gets me in a tizzy – multiply that by five peeps – AAAAHHHHH - Crazyville!!  I do find it interesting that everyone out there packs so differently.  There isn’t a perfect way to pack.  Some just take the clothes on their back and a toothbrush.  Many pack enough underwear for a year and the whole medicine cabinet, too.  Others don’t care what’s in the bag, just as long as their favorite snuggy, pillow, or lovey makes the trip.

Since I waited until we needed to be in the car pulling out of the driveway to finish up the job, I was highly agitated when the electricity went out for thirty minutes.  Try packing in a dark closet.  I can’t even tell you how many times I attempted to flip on all the light switches in this house out of habit.  Grrrrrrrr.  And, you know how I like it nice and chilly in the house?  I felt the temperature risin’…quickly.

I know, I know.  Laughing is healthy – it’s like jogging on the inside, BUT I just didn’t feel like laughing at that point.  I wanted desserts because that’s what stressed is spelled backwards.  I also thought about ham and eggs and how it’s only a day’s work for the chicken and a lifetime commitment for a pig.  I was temporarily going crazy mad.  Bwaahaahaa!

No, seriously.  The vacation was fabulous!  The packing…was not.

It’s funny what we all “pack around” or hold onto as well.  The other day I was having a particularly grumpy day.  I just couldn’t get over it.  As much as I tried to move on, forget about it and start anew, I couldn’t find the means.

Also on that particular day, I stopped by a friend’s office and saw two things she had on her desk that spoke directly to my cranky, grouchy, crabby little heart.  Peace started to flow in as I gave myself and others a fresh start.  In that moment, I forgot about my failures and theirs.  I threw the unimportant stuff out of my “suitcase.”  I felt the need to travel with a lighter heart. 

I will share the special words with you because they just might help you when you are having an irritable moment (um, or day or week).

“DO IT ANYWAY”
by Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.


YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
Author Unknown
There are two days in every week which we should not worry – two days which should be kept free of fear and apprehension.  One of these days is “Yesterday,” with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.
“Yesterday” has passed forever beyond our control.  All the money in the world cannot bring back “Yesterday.”  We cannot undo a single act we performed.  We cannot erase a single word we said.  “Yesterday” is gone!
The other day we should not worry about is “Tomorrow,” with its possible adversities, its burdens, its larger promise.  “Tomorrow” is also beyond our immediate control.  “Tomorrow,” the sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.  Until it does, we have no stake in “Tomorrow,” because it is unborn.
This leaves only one day – “Today.”
Any man can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two eternities of “Yesterday & Tomorrow” that we break down.
It is not the experience of “Today” that drives men mad.  It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened “Yesterday” and the dread of what “Tomorrow” may bring.
Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time.

I hope these two pieces move you as much as they moved me.

And, just like the teaser channels that Dish Network gives us and then quickly takes away…let’s remember that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow either.  Make the most of today.

How will we “pack?”  Will we hold onto things that weigh us down?   Will we let go of all that insignificant stuff?  Will we attempt to pack in the dark or will we let the “Son-light” shine in to make our packing less burdensome?

We choose how we will pack.

2 comments:

  1. Incredible......just what was needed........not yesterday, not tomorrow BUT for TODAY......love the reflections by Blessed Mother Teresa.....re-packing....hopefully with better thoughts, words and deeds. Keep up the great work!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it ;-) Thanks for reading and for your comments!

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