I received an email this week announcing that the job opening I had hoped to fill in the fall had been closed until further notice. Probably budget considerations, etc. Standing there reading the email on my cell phone, I wasn't sure if the message was good news or bad news. I guess it's bad news, if that's the job I wanted for fall. Or maybe good news because it means something better is coming or that I can use the next few months to prepare for the re-opening. Well, I decided, I might as well decide that the email is good news... If I'm not sure what it means then might as well decide it's for the best. This seemed like a good attitude to take for all emails. Whatever it is, I've decided to take the attitude that it is good news. There seems to be a split second between getting news and then deciding what it means. Since that little gap exists why not decide that it's all working in your favor. Because either it is or by deciding that it is your mind will go to work at making this a win for you.
0 Comments
In this photo is "Fluff" (Mary) Capua and my mother. Fluff died last week and now that she's gone I'm willing to share her. When she was alive, I almost wanted to keep her to myself. That was a mistake though, because this woman ironically named "Fluff" had a love much bigger and fiercer than her little frame reveals in this photo. She had enough room to love us all. She came into my life and my mom's life at a very challenging time. She made me feel loved, perfect, and brilliant no matter how twisted I felt inside. Never once did I feel wrong for not living like everyone else. It didn't matter that I lived in an apartment with a friend and not in a big house with lots of kids. She was too busy giving and loving to judge. She gave in many old-timely ways. She left us Italian food at our door, sent us cookies when we lived far away and has sent me birthday cards for over twenty years. This year I received this birthday card a week after she lost consciousness. Explain that!! Fluff wouldn't let a little thing like death get in the way of your birthday. ![]() My birthday this year landed on the same day as the terror attacks in Paris. It was a hard birthday. I spent the day checking on friends in France and holding my breath for the hostages. All I wanted to do was have a cup of coffee and some soup with Fluff that day. I didn't know she had already had a massive stroke. She died in the best way. One stroke and then out. She lived right and died right. Rather than getting old in a way that required everyone to take care of her, she lived for taking care of others. She asked for so little and would flip over with glee when you had time for tea. I want to be like her. If I have the luxury to grow old, I want to be loving on everyone too. I know how good it felt to experience unconditional love. |
Author
Sarah Federman, PhD Enjoy these short blogs and videos designed to bring you a little cheer.
My other blog Language of Conflict addresses the importance of word choice and narration in conflict. Finish and Flourish supports writers struggling to complete projects. Archives
May 2019
Categories
All
|