The Gift of Today

I'm taking a wonderful on-line course on "Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors" through WritersU, a Yahoo group. My expectations were low but this course is just what I need right now and I'm very, very glad I signed up.

One of the things Margie Lawson, the instructor, is teaching is to start out each day with positive thinking and to write down five good things about today for every today you are given.

This morning's things were heartfelt but kind of generic:

1. My family is healthy (this is no small thing -- I've learned of three other people being diagnosed with cancer in the last week);
2. I have work to do (a mixed blessing because I'd rather be working on my novel or blogging, but it's good that the world has a need for my skills and that I can earn money with them);
3. I got to take an early morning three-mile walk with a dear friend I don't see nearly enough of;
4. I believe I'm going to defeat my self-defeating behaviors, and this is exciting (procrastination, poor time management, biting off more than I can chew and not understanding why I choke), and,
5. The cold snap is over and it's going to be gorgeous and in the 70s today.

Before I met my friend for our walk, I stopped by an all-night grocery store to pick up roses and a birthday card for her, because yesterday was her birthday. When I was checking out, I was chatting with the cashier (I'm friendly -- probably too friendly because I don't get out much so I'm glad to see a human even if I'm paying them for the conversation) when a maintenance man from the city came over to bring the cashier an orange he picked on his trip to Florida over the weekend. They were small and scruffy looking -- home grown. He said they are wonderful, and I believe him. He is black. I am white. Times have thankfully changed.

And this stranger, who didn't have but about six oranges, insisted that I take one, too. I was touched by his generosity. It's tempting not to eat it, to let it sit in the fruit bowl on the table as a reminder of the kindness of strangers.

But that would be wrong. He gave it to me to eat. And I will eat it, almost like a kind of communion.

I should end the post there, on this blessing and mystery. But I came home to another mystery.

I welcome the unusual, but I'm not sure of what I think about my neighbor's black lab being tied to my fence. Who tied him there? Are they coming back for him? Do they think he's mine? Is it my neighbor's black lab, or one of the zillion around and somebody left him for me? And why oh why has he got a friend? Because if one black lab tied to your fence isn't enough, there's a second one hanging around. Both males. Neither neutered.

He is safe for now. I'll take him water if his owner doesn't turn up soon. One of the things I'm thankful for about today is that I don't own a black lab -- and I'd like to keep it that way.

Comments

[Nancy]

How do I sign up?

[groovyoldlady]

OH, the dog is mine. Please bring him back right away!

[zoe]

how was the orange? i love labs...he can come to my home. norm needs a friend.

[Angry]

Start the day with some positive thinking... maybe that's the answer for me too.

Five positive things;
1. I'm positive that I'm going to have a bad day.
2. I'm positive I'm going to regret mistaking the laxatives for candy.
3. I'm positive that Anne is a far better writer than I'll ever be.
4. I'm positive that parking in that no standing zone this morning will get me a ticket.
5. I'm poitive that this stupid positive idea is going to fail.

There, I feel better already... NOW let's see what kind of day I have.