I Want It With Whipped Cream On It

"Be generous: Invest in acts of charity.
Charity yields high returns

Don't hoard your goods, spread them around.
Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.

When the clouds are full of water, it rains.
When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls.
Don't sit there watching the wind. Do your own work.
Don't stare at the clouds. Get on with your life.

Just as you'll never understand
     the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman,
So you'll never understand
     the mystery at work in all that God does.

Go to work in the morning
     and stick to it until evening without watching the clock.
You never know from moment to moment
     how your work will turn out in the end.

Oh, how sweet the light of day,
And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!
Even if you live a long time, don't take a single breath for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour,
Remembering that there will also be many dark days
And that most of what comes your way is smoke.

You who are young, make the most of your youth.
Relish your youthful vigor.
Follow the impulses of your heart.
If something looks good to you, pursue it.
But know also that not just anything goes,
You must answer to God for ever last bit of it.

Live footloose and fancy free -
You won't be young forever.
Youth lasts about as long as smoke."

Eccelesiastes 11, possibly my favorite chapter of the Bible. I'd like it read at my funeral in any case. Ecclesiastes falls into the category of "Wisdom Books." Written by Solomon towards the end of his life, he details his successes and shortcomings. Just passing advice down to younger generations, giving them all the knowledge he has on life so that they might live better. Most people don't particularly like Ecclesiastes, they think it's depressing. I disagree wholeheartedly and I think this passage is the perfect example of that. I don't think Solomon was being morbid or downhearted, but rather honest. Youth does last as long as smoke. One minute we are running in the streets without a care in the world, the next we are concerned with self image and friends, then we are attempting to join this world as adults, and pretty soon our lives are winding down. It's not bad or good or anything really, just truth the way Solomon saw it.

This passage pretty well sums up my life. I have the unexplicable desire to share everything I have with everyone around me. To the point where I write the word "LOVE" in red sharpie on every piece of paper money I come across so that our interaction is not merely the exchanging of funds. I want to be a part of peoples lives and for them to be a part of mine. I want everyone to know their worth and to have someone who helps them recognize it. And the clouds have gotten dark over my life, many many times. But eventually the rain comes, lightening those clouds and giving room for new life. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I try to give my all to everything I do. And I have tried to live each day, each moment to it's fullest potential. I have tried vehemently to follow my heart at every turn and run free, wild to the rest of humanity. With some success, I believe. I have a rule I try to follow: Do anything and everything that comes to mind if it does not injure yourself or others. Sometimes I follow it well, other times I am lacking. Whether it be in following my heart or injuring myself or others. But I do my best. And yet? Youth is fleeting, we can't let it pass us by.



I'm lucky. Blessed. Graced. Favored. Granted. Whatever word you like, I am it. There was a point in my life where I slapped labels all over myself like I was a lightpost downtown. I don't anymore, but if I did? My new label would be "blessed." And it's all thanks to people like you. My walls are covered in photographs. My family, my friends, my teachers and mentors. People I love dearly, people like you. Probably you.

Thank you for being you. I hope you understand what I mean when I say that I love you whole heartedly and unabashedly. I hope you know that love is unconditional and that it is because of, not inspite of, the way you are.

Peace be,