I was reading this little book I got years ago, a Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen, and thought this part taught a great life lesson: I found one of my best teachers on the boardwalk at Coney Island many years ago. It was December, and I was doing a story about how the homeless suffer in the winter months. He and I sat on the edge of the wooden supports, dangling our feet over the side, and he told me about his schedule, panhandling the boulevard when the summer crowds were gone, sleeping in a church when the temperature went below freezing, hiding from the police amid the Tilt-A-Whirl and Cyclone and some of the other seasonal rides. But he told me that most of the time he stayed in the boardwalk, facing the water, just the way we were sitting now, even when it got cold and he had to wear his newspapers after he read them. And I asked him why. Why didnt he go to one of the shelters? Why didnt he check himself into the hospital for detox? And he stared out at the ocean and said, Look at the view, young lady. Look at the view. Look at the view: four simple words, but their impact is great. The man in this story had nothing, but embraced what he did have. I challenge everybody, myself included, to take a step back from like and look at the view we were given in life. You might ask why I am posting things like this, but I think we all need wisdom and learn life lessons in order to truly live a healthy life. It is good for the soul. Happy Saturday. Enjoy the view!!! (If you have time, please share the view you are thankful for today in the comments. Lets make this interactive!) :-)
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 11:34:21 +0000
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