Gratitude and the Law of Averages

I used to believe in the law of averages, that if one area of life was going well, another part was absolutely miserable. I dared not be too happy, try too hard, or put myself out there for scrutiny. But, now I feel that success and happiness are easier to achieve than I ever imagined. There's a saying that 98% of life is just showing up, I think Woody Allen said that. I feel an attitude of gratitude. I am grateful for what I have and I am grateful for what I pray for. I try not to be afraid but fear keeps me from mastering this principle. All I can say is I have so much to be thankful for. I have a heart of gratitude. I could have been killed by my parents, I could have died in a car crash, I could have been killed by an abuser, I could have high blood pressure or panic attacks but instead I have gratitude. We don't know what will happen. We can not read minds, at least I can't. But we can anticipate good things to come and offer thanks.

I Have a Neighbor

I have a very nice neighbor whom I'll call Tom who has a garden full of cacti and fruit trees in his yard. The last couple of days he has been giving me apricots, my favorite! They are mini-size but packed with flavor, delish. Tom told me something sad. Tom lives across the street from me and he said that the lady who lives two doors down from him just lost her husband. He'd been sick for a long time and bedridden for the last couple of years and even though he's out of his misery it is a very sad time for her. Tom was kind of hinting that I go visit her, I think... but, I'm not sure. He said it like this, 'so if you happen to see her, maybe you could say something, I don't know.' I believe he has comforted her more than he realizes and I have no magic power to do the same even if I am a woman. In a way, it seems to me that Tom's perception is that somehow I could make our neighbor feel better. I couldn't make her feel better than his bright smile, a mound of apricots, and a sweet, friendly voice. I have a beautiful sympathy card but I'm so shy and besides I don't know the neighbor's name, even. I don't think it would hurt if I drop off the card tomorrow. Peace comes to all of us in many ways.

The Passenger

I think it is so cool that Elijah Wood is set to play punk rocker Iggy Pop in a movie about his life. Wood will take the lead role in the biopic, entitled The Passenger, which follows Pop's early career with The Stooges.
According to Daily Variety, Pop has "given his blessing to the project but will not take part in it". Filming is expected to begin within six months.
Pop recently reunited with The Stooges and the band has just completed a tour in support of their first album in over 30 years. I think The Passenger is one of Iggy's best songs and I sure enjoy listening to it while driving, especially at night in the summertime with the windows rolled down or even the top rolled down if you have a convertible.