By Richard Mabey Jr.
When we feel overwhelmed with life’s struggles, it’s all so easy to give in to feeling sorry for oneself. To feel a certain sadness. Perhaps, you may be struggling with your job, you may have been given a bad medical report by your doctor, you may be going through financial struggles. No matter what the challenge is, that is just the time when you need to find the joy and splendor that abounds all around you.
Most of my writing, I do at my front porch, sitting on an old rocking chair. It once belonged to my great grandmother, Dora Mabey. I cherish that old rocking chair. I write in one of my composition notebooks, the marble covered ones that we had in grade school. I love to take in the beauty, splendor and wonder that abounds in my front yard. Very specifically, the birds who come to visit me and splash about in the bird bath that I have set up for them.
Sometimes, I feel like Mr. Wilson, from the old “Dennis the Menace” television show. Mr. Wilson loved the birds. I remember one episode where he tells Dennis’ father, Henry Mitchell, that he thinks of the little birds as his friends. Now at 71, and fighting a serious heart disease, I am beginning to appreciate Mr. Wilson’s philosophy on birds more and more.
Live Oak.
Each and every one of us holds a unique, universal truth within our hearts. It is our sovereign responsibility to find it. To cherish it. To guard it. For me, it is writing freehand on my front porch, sitting upon my great grandmother’s rocking chair and watching the birds frolic in their bird bath. For you, my friend, it may be something very different. But none-the-less, it is of paramount importance to find that nook and cranny that brings joy and splendor to your life. That makes your heart sing with joy.
We can never allow feelings of defeat to encroach upon our heart, mind and soul. We must guard our heart from giving into feeling sorry for ourselves. For that is exactly what the Evil One wants us to do. Remember this truth: you are here for a reason.
It is no coincidence that you are where you are, in this moment in time. It is the golden responsibility, of each and every one of us, to find our purpose in this life, to help other people, to be a shining light to others, to love one another. If we give in to feelings of sorrow, of defeat, of depression, the Evil One has won.
God loves you, all so very much. It is impossible, in the human consciousness, to ever imagine just how much God loves you. With all your might, fight the tendency to feel sorry for yourself. Fight the impulse to hold up your hands and surrender. You may never know how profoundly something you may think, say or do will positively affect the life of another living being. Give it all you got. Love one another. Never, ever, give in to feelings of defeat. For God loves you more than you will ever know.
Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He is the author of two books. He has a YouTube Channel, entitled “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard can be reached at richardmabeyjr@gmail.com.