Category: The Daily Post

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it was a good day

From The Daily Post: today’s challenge is another Odd Trio prompt — write a post about any topic you want, in whatever form or genre, but make sure it features a slice of cake, a pair of flip-flops, and someone old and wise.

I had every intention of following through with this fun challenge right up until I realized that I had a bunch of errands to run with my knight-in-shining-armor. As life happens, we took off on our adventures.

Somewhere along the way, we stopped for a beer at the local watering hole and watched antique car auctions because we lead an exciting life. And then, we went for ice cream to reward ourselves for existing, because nothing follows a beer like dairy, right?

Finally, we each dedicated ourselves to a different part of the kitchen. Me, to canning some strawberry preserves. He, to making some delicious bread on which to spread the strawberry preserves. Life is good, isn’t it?

Then I ate a piece of Tiramisu. Yummy! I was so sugar high that I tripped over my own flip flops on the way to the sink, and I realized, Holy cow! I can do the challenge after all. If only I knew someone old and wise.

Thwarted.

So instead, I turn to the wisdom I need:

Your word is a lamp for my feet,

a light for my path.

Psalm 119

Read the whole thing. It’s longish, but really, it’s chock full of wisdom.

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Post A Day: Back to Life

Today’s interesting challenge poses the question: what’s the one thing you do to feel human again?

The preface establishes scenarios — a long flight, a grueling week. The suggestion that something has worn us out physically. The answer is rather dull: I take a nice hot shower. It feels good to be clean — to feel the grime washed away. There’s something to be said for the sensual pleasure of hot water flowing over me.

Nevertheless, I’d rather focus on the depth of the question: what makes me feel human? And perhaps of more interest, what could possibly have the effect of zapping my humanity?

I feel least human when I refuse to acknowledge the humanity of others. I can spend my day never making eye contact, never listening with my heart, never getting emotionally invested in the events happening right next to me.

I have become an expert in disassociating myself from the feelings of those around me. The sad part of that is that I lose a piece of my humanity along the way.

I have to allow myself to feel to get it back. I need to love. I need to love, not just those who love me back, but those who are difficult to love, too. The demanding family member. The obnoxious neighbor. The uncooperative colleague.

I need to learn to love like God loves.

And I need to allow myself to cry, whether it’s in grief or gratitude, joy or anger, appreciation or frustration. It’s an amazing catharsis to cry – to express through tears a multitude of emotions.

What could be more human than that?

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