The Sun Rises on All of Us

Your Daily Dose of Sunshine - Today’s Inspiration:

• Someone’s family member quote

• Remembering to be kind

• Before the light, there is darkness

• Strangely close to home

• The compartmentalization is real

Remembering to be kind

When I was in my early twenties, I lived in San Francisco. I worked in the Financial District and lived in North Beach. On my way to work, I walked past many people camped in doorways with all their earthly belongings in bags or shopping carts.

My heart would break as I passed them, and I didn’t have anything extra to share. I taught myself to look past them as if they weren’t there. I was protecting my own heart.

One day, a man said, “Hello! I’m alive!”

I responded, “I’m so sorry, but I don’t have anything to give you. I’m just getting by myself.”

He said, “You don’t have to give me anything. But if you’ll look me in the eye and say, ‘Good Morning,’ you remind me I’m still human.”

I have never forgotten that. To this day, I always make eye contact. If I can spare a few dollars, a bottle of water, or a coupon for a meal somewhere, I will. If not, I remember that this is a person down on their luck - perhaps after a string of bad choices. That’s not for me to judge. The point is, they are human, they have a story, and they are struggling. I can look them in the eye and give them that much.

Before the light, there is darkness

My mother told me once that we can only experience joy to the degree we have been hollowed out by pain.

Great stories, great books, the best plots in the world do not happen because everything is fabulous to begin with and nothing bad happens. No.

There have to be hardships before we can appreciate the simple pleasures of a roof over our head, food on the table, community, camaraderie, a mission, a project, the goal that lights our fire.

If you are experiencing difficulties, know that you are partway through the narrative. There are still plot twists ahead, and they can make for all sorts of interesting maneuvers yet to come.

Strangely close to home

As much as I wish this was theoretical, or philosophical, and far off, I have a family member choosing a much harder life than necessary. It is freezing in Southern Oregon, and the streets have people living on them. It never crossed my mind that this could be something in my world - this close to home.

And yet, he’s loved with all my heart. He’s choosing a path. There is a way home he doesn’t want to take. And I have to let him experience the darkness in his story until he’s ready to see the light.

Not to be a downer and I’m not seeking pity. I still seek joy and beauty and gratitude every single day because I’ve had my own painful early life that carved me out and prepared me to accept the help, love, and purpose that was ready for me. He will do the same when he is ready.

Today, I just want to remember that everyone has a story. Everyone out there is loved by someone. And, this isn’t really my story anyway - it’s his.

The compartmentalization is real

My story is just getting started on something new in the work world. I have resumes out, and more going out this week. There is something brewing. And I keep him in my prayers always - that he finds the good that is out there for him as well.

There has been much discussion lately on social media about addiction, recovery, hard times, and success stories when people seek help. The issue is real and grappling with it is something we do sometimes in private - because we don’t want to appear conflicted, or like we couldn’t make a great employee (if we’re looking for work).

In my own life, I can be broken over him, and still focused at work. I can feel for him, and be buoyant and sparkly. I am filled with glitter and sunshine because I’ve worked hard for that. I know where I start and he begins. We are different people and we are in different places.

So - onward and upward. May you be grateful today for what you have, and perhaps what you are NOT dealing with as well. May we always know there is wonder out there if we seek it.