I once worked with a man who had just come out of college. We sold medical products.
For two years, He realized selling wasn't what he really wanted in life. He got a Masters
in business and marketing.
I haven't seen him for over thirty years until today. He has been living in Southern Mexico and loves it. I had a doctor friend from the Veterans hospital in Seattle
move his family to New Zealand. I have a neighbor who is selling his home and moving
to Cambodia. I challenged him on his sanity moving there. He swears after having
been there six times he can handle it.
I can share more examples of friends moving, but I want to share the common theme:
less stress. Money goes further in most other countries I've mentioned.
It's nice to be invited to visit, but the United States needs all of us to fight the cancer
that is spreading across this country. Now is the time to be part of making America
what our founders and leaders wanted, a "rainbow" country that allowed all who were
willing to work, a chance for a great life.
I have to say I would love a time when mothers holding a baby stop coming up to me
and ask for money. I would love to not see an entire family standing on a corner
begging. I am tired of the Iraq veteran with no arm or shoulder begging because
his benefits have not arrived after 7 months of waiting. There HAS to be something
that Vet is not telling me. I told him where in our county he could go for money
right now. But, who am I to question him?
I'm tired of daily calls from my homeless son who seems angry that I won't give money
to his friends. I am tired like the rest of you dealing with the stress that IS life
in America in 2014.
I feel a need right now to say how lucky we are to live here. I would rather stay and
fight issues that need fighting over and try to care for the folks I had a hand in bringing
them into this world.
I'm glad my friends have found joy and are living the "good" life. it's been so long, I don't think I know what the good life is. Except running at dawn and seeing the
sunrise. Maybe it's watching the clouds dance in the sky. The wind starting to hint
at rain. Maybe feeling the rain splashing against your face and washing away the sorrow's you feel. Maybe God is telling me to stand straight, head looking forward
and running so hard your in a "zone" of bliss.
Maybe we should smile because we are alive and have a chance to live this moment
with gusto. We may not be alive the next second.
So, I'll stay here in America and do my best to make life better for my family and others.
I am tired now but plan to leave this life knowing I tried to make life better for as many
as possible.
Will I succeed? I have no idea, but I at least will have tried.
-A single sunbeam is enough to drive away any shadows.
-Saint Francis of Assisi