no. 10 - silver linings

an old stump is good for sitting and resting.

come, boy, sit down.

sit down and rest.

Do you know, that even in the darkest of times, there are a multitude of things to be grateful for and silver linings that fight against the lack of obvious light to shine through?

I am neither a refugee fighting the tides to find shelter nor hungry looking for scraps and for that, and for that alone, I am eternally grateful - of the place and opportunities provided. The vantage point to perceive and the chance to relish in the selfishness of my safety and comfort.

For reasons owing to my father being the youngest of 9 and my mother's family of 9 having rather terrible luck with cancer, I have witnessed the process of loneliness, illness, ageing and the sometimes slowness and ultimate stillness of death.

Through the loneliness, aimlessness and loss of lucidity it is so easy to lose sight and opt for the safety of a recluse life - a hoarder of your own physical possessions, thoughts and emotions, where neither light nor others can touch a cold heart or overturn a negative mind.

& it is for this reason, that before I lose all sense of lucidity and myself that I must commit to finding the silver linings every day and moment.

For since I have discovered them it is hard to lose sight of them, and even if i did, not for more than a moment of angst/ frustration.

There is a God so great that even seagulls with the smallest of brains can master the currents of winds and soar to heights we cannot reach. There is a universe so big that we can master apathy for those with nothing on barren soil while we chase our own skyscraper aspirations and count the cents we can't be buried with. They see the sunrise, sunsets and creation that we will never appreciate or understand until we attempt to strike off our bucket list of must dos.

For this, we must remember to breathe and look past the petty or penny counting. There are so many silver linings and so much more to live for than being the grouch hidden in a tin can. If the refugees and marginalised can smile and find joy in their daily turmoil, it is near ludicrous that we with so much can find reason to not be giving - for even in not receiving, there is an immense joy from pure giving that I've stood witness to and benefited from.

So here's my bucket list,

a generosity of heart and to keep searching for and finding joy in them silver linings.

Listening to: Fills Me Up by Big Little Lions