a wonderful life

Toni Stone                                        March 1, 2003
401 Buck Hollow Road
Fairfax, VT 05454

a wonderful life

“does anyone in your family claim a wonderful life?,” i was asked. i thought, “yes”. then i thought, “well, maybe i am the only one.” i had to breathe deeply, stop and think further. my family includes cousins, Aunts and Uncles, too. . .i look out into the bigger circle.

i see that some people in-my-family do have a wonderful life. . .that can be seen to others, but they do not claim it, in their speaking or inner attitudes. . .they suffer at the imperfections of those around them. . .

for instance, some family members will actually speak aloud while driving like this, “look at that fat slob over there” or “oh my, i can’t believe anyone would leave the house looking that bad” or “why would someone wear a coat like that on a day like this?” these remarks show a kind of complaint based perceiving. . .they do not claim a wonderful life even thought a wonderful life could include fat or poorly dressed people slinking around the neighborhood, randomly. what other people look like doesn’t have to ruin anyone’s life but for some, it does.

there are a handful of folks in my family having a wonderful life who would claim that and do claim it, but very quietly, in the middle of all the suffering. it would not be well received to be noted as one who is not suffering and putting up with life the way the others are. . .if it is known that a wonderful life is being enjoyed. . .one is accused of living in a fantasy. this turns out to be valuable practice to be openly criticized for being you. it is practiced by the happy and by the sufferers. it demands transcendence.

few having a wonderful life will often say that life is very good, rewards are always arriving, miracles are many and tithers always win. the sufferers will say, “what do you know?” but they are not interested in any answer. best not to give one.

a happy one will say, “things always turn out”. . .she is often laughing or grateful
and seems to always see what is good. i am grateful not to be alone in the realization that life is good to me, in my family. . .

its only a case of delayed recognition
on the part of those who still suffer.

if there is no running away some of the happiness is bound to be contagious.

i am not the only one in my family claiming a wonderful life.

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