It's The Little Things

Scrolling through these pictures last night, I found myself getting effusively teary-eyed. 

All of the things I love are found in every part of the photos... The blessing of a healthy and delightful child. Laughter. Furry little critters keeping us entertained. A husband behind the scenes, always there to ensure our happiness and well-being. A warm and inviting place to call home. 

What more is needed?

Tears of empathy and sorrow dripped down my face as I watched a television program last night, showcasing the lives of the elderly with nothing but walls lined with tattered photos for company. All their friends, family and loved ones had passed on or lived half a world away. Can you imagine not even having one person to simply talk with? Day in and day out, staring at the wall, withering away in your body that has slowly become your prison?

Fortunately, the show didn't keep the waterworks flowing, leaving me depressed (usually Netflix documentaries have that affect on me) but spotlighted the group Morningside Village. Based in Manhattan, the founder created the volunteer organization to match people with a senior citizen in need of, well, a friend. This was all a result of witnessing the neglect and over-worked staff in her mother's nursing home, and the point is to help the elderly live and thrive in their homes as long as possible. I was reminded of the power that a simple visit and smile holds.

This show reminded me of the good existing in the world. The people stepping outside of their selfish bubbles and enhancing the quality of life for those who know nothing but despair and misery. It's so easy to get caught up in the hum-drum and "woe is me" track of life, yet it is so pathetic once you experience a paradigm shift on behalf of others and realize your life suddenly isn't so terrible as you imagined. 

The inner dialogue in my brain on such an occasion:

"Crap, I missed the 30% off sale."

"There are children digging through garbage down the road looking for shoes to wear because they have none, you ingrate."

"Shoot! I'm all out brownie mix. Now what am I going to have for a treat?"

"Really? Why don't you donate that $1.89 to UNICEF for a change, to people who don't even have clean water available to drink?" 

"The air conditioning is busted. This heat is killing me."

"Hmmm... how about we talk about those people living without plumbing and not even the faintest idea of how electricity works."

So here I stand, striving to focus a little less on me, and a little more on others. All the while remembering it's the little things in life that count.