As you have been well aware, if you have been fortunate to keep up with my blogs, that I tend to focus on a new word fairly often. Which not only forces me to keep my trusty dictionary at my side teaching me new words, but more importantly encourages me to pick at a word that I already use, in order to find new meaning and application. Prepared is one of those words. Well...we might as well pull out Webster to see what he has to say. After all....he knows best.
Prepared. To make things ready. To make oneself ready. To bring forth, make suitable. Now we can look at that and see it very simply, or we can go a bit further and see where it leads. I prepare myself each day either by brushing my teeth, eating breakfast, putting on my clothes...etc.....but those all imply outside preparation. What happens when we take that internally? What sort of preparation goes on inside my head? Although there is good reason and purpose for the external things I mentioned, how do I prepare my mind for the day? Are the hours ahead self focused, so they will ultimately give me access to all the good stuff......or is there anything inside me that has to do with the outside world and how I might make it a better place in which to live?
It's so easy to think that being in this world is all about how we appear to those around us, when if we choose this line of thinking will only lead to a life that is shallow and empty. How narcissistic of us to think that the world revolves around us, or that we have such great importance that's usually based on what we have accumulated or how we are recognized. Talk about having a bad taste in your mouth....that one just about does it for me. In fact, for me, there is nothing appealing about that sentence at all. It makes me feel self centered and ungodly......for I don't believe that is why God placed us here. How on earth, no matter how you believe you arrived here, could you think that your sole purpose, while here, could or would be designed just for you?
No wonder most of us feel that we are absolutely alone, in a world where no one could possibly understand anything you think or feel. It's because we are so self focused and think we are the be all, end all, of the universe, we would never even stop to think there might be a higher purpose for us being here. And whether you consider yourself a spiritual individual or not, is there not a moment when you might consider that there might be a higher purpose that includes all of us instead of you getting what you want or think you need in this life?
It's just hard for me to imagine there is really no rhyme or reason to why we're here, with nothing for us to learn or to share with others. That each one of us are plopped down here on earth to take whatever we want, use up whatever we want, or think that what we do, think, or feel doesn't impact anyone else? Again....how narcisistic is that? And while I believe that there are some people who do take the time to be other focused, there is still a large majority who are more concerned about how they appear to others, how much money they make, and what that money will buy them.
I have to say that I haven't run across too many that are more concerned about how they can help change the world, and what they can leave behind for others. This is where being prepared comes into play. What do I do with my life right now that says I am preparing for after I'm gone? Maybe it has something to do with being sick, and realizing the good stuff that is left to enjoy, and how no matter how long any of us have here on this earth, there are ways in which to make an impact while you're still here. So, looking at the big picture, which I always try to do, what can I do to prepare for when I'm gone?
Well....I can say what needs to be said, take time to experience those things that bring me happiness and a sense of contentment, organize and clean up my life so it makes some sense to those I've left behind, as well as some other ways that I have yet to discover. The point is, I'm moving in a direction of preparing, and this has nothing to do with gloom and doom or any morbid thoughts about me or my illness......this is just how I would like to acknowledge those things that I am so grateful for right now, because we never know what will come next.
If we need to spend time with someone, then make arrangements to spend time with that person. If there is something that needs to be said....say it. If there is much work that needs to be done that might make it easier for someone else when you are gone, then do it. People spend so much time being busy with things that absolutely have no meaning, and forget that much pleasure can be found in organizing and preparing yourself now for whatever may come. Soak up what is right in front of you......your family, relationships, nature, etc. If you have money problems, then sit down with someone and work through it.....tear up credit cards....stop spending money......stop doing things you know you can't afford....be more focused on someone who might need your help in some way......give stuff away that someone else might need that you know you don't use or need anymore.
Today I want to take my focus off my pain and suffering, off things that really have no purpose or meaning in this life, and place it on those things that will last after I'm gone. If something is not right, then I will do whatever I need to do in order to make it right. I will prepare my mind, thoughts and behavior for what I leave behind, as opposed to what I can accumulate and gain for self.
