by Steve Goodier
Welsh poet David Whyte made the intriguing observation, "I don't want
to have written on my tombstone, when finally people struggle through
the weeds, pull back the moss, and read the inscription there, 'He
made his car payments.'"
Whyte, like most of us, wants his life to matter. Even in some small
way, most people want to make a difference and, at least to some
degree, they want to be happy. But it doesn't just happen.
I am inspired by the story of Rose Nelson, told in Arnold and Barry
Fox's book Making Miracles (Emmaus, PA: The Good Spirits Press,
1989). One can usually find a cheery smile on the face of the
wheelchair-bound woman. Which is remarkable, given what happened. You
see, Rose was brutally beaten by two drunk teenage boys who left her
unable to walk. She was forced to sell her home after medical bills
devoured her modest savings.
If anyone has reason to be resentful, it is Rose Nelson. But she will
smile and say that she never even thinks of being bitter as long as
her brain is working and she can think of love.
"How can you be so loving after what happened to you?" she was asked.
"Oh, my," she considered. "I could have dried up after the boys beat
me. I was afraid I would. That's why I decided to be full of love and
to give my love to everyone. The more I love everyone else, the
better I feel. And the better I feel, the more I love the world. Love
cured my fear."
Rose worked at love and happiness. It had to become a high priority
if she was not to be consumed by her horrific experience. Yet anyone
who wants peace or happiness or joy can learn from Rose. We must do
more than just make the car payments. We must love and love and love
some more. Rose learned to fill her mind with as much love as it
would hold, and then gave it away at every opportunity.
Dr. Karl Menninger said this about love: "We do not fall in love, we
grow in love and love grows in us." Let enough grow in you to fill
you up and you'll be satisfied forever.
__________
Steve Goodier
Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love
and Laughter at
http://LifeSupportSystem.com.