Early today, I was feeling rather lonely, anxious, and gloomy, to put it mildly. Power outages, delivery issues, rerouting, car issues, you name it, it happened. What a wild day. At first, I was feeling overwhelmed, but I kept moving.
Because that's I do. I keep moving. Because even when I feel like I can't go on, I remember this: winners never give up. And so, I do one...small...thing. And before I know it, I'm simply doing my day as usual.
Then I stopped, and I looked around. I looked at people's faces, and I imagined what was going on in their lives.
And then I began to ask. I asked people I knew, strangers, you name it.
It made me change the focus, to see how others were doing, to see the grateful side of my day, and I was humbled. And I began to see the love all around me. Everywhere, friends...
Jerome gave me two hugs and powerful words to help me through my day. Actually, his words of encouragement brought tears to my eyes. Jay laughed with me in the produce. Krista chatted with me, and we hug nearly every day. TC said he likes to help me, and he asked when I'd be back, and he told me that he starts basketball soon. Yanni softly said hello and smiled. Kel helped me gently and made sure the pie crusts in my order didn't get smashed. Cliff and Ji waved hello. As usual, Cliff and I joked about "Groundhog Day." Andy waved and yelled a "Hello" in passing. Johnny and I kidded around, while he did inventory on the meat. And Johnny has the most contagious smile. James gave me a hard time, like he always does, and we cracked up. Amber, his wife, laughed right along with us. And there were more. Smiles, hugs, gestures, small talk, deep talk, heart and encouragement all around me.
And it reminded me to stay right in the moment. And it made me realize that in every moment of a day that began in a tumultuous way, I was surrounded by love.
And it reminded me that herein rests God.
Love to you,
C.A. MacConnell
