When we look at the world, it is generally a world that is self centered. It’s a ‘me, me, me’ kind of place we live in. I know I very easily fall into this trap as well.  Often times I think to myself that I’m too tired, too busy, too sad, too “something” to reach out and do something for someone else. And I’m also great at justifying my thought pattern.  

Year two of grief? It is pretty much 100% worse than year one of grief was. I have every right to just mope around and be sad. Life without our warrior boy is hard.  

This is what my ‘self centered self’ tells me. And perhaps there is some truth to it, but man, snap out of it, Iris!! Get that gratefulness thing back up and going! Go do something FOR someone else!  

But I’m so tired and I can’t even think straight. I can’t do anything elaborate or worthwhile.

So, do something you CAN do. Bless someone with garden produce. Share whatever you baked as therapy this morning. Pay for the person behind you in the drive thru.  You see, when I go and do that little something that doesn’t seem like much at all, it turns out to be significant to that one soul I reached out to. And the perk? I feel my spirits lifted too when I reach out to someone else. Funny how that works, isn’t it?

Recently I noticed how weary Olivia’s bus driver looked on her last stop (our house). I’d be weary too with a bus full of tired, rowdy kids, and a bunch of them being over tired Junior Kindergarteners bickering at each other. It seemed to me that she might just need a word of encouragement and thanks. I’d just made several dozen homemade rolls (because I couldn’t bare to leave the house to pick up store bought ones…my soul was too weary) for our hamburgers at supper that night. Why not share a bag of them and write a quick little note of encouragement?

And guess what? The look of appreciation on the bus driver’s face, lifted my spirits and nourished my weary soul. Other-centered living, in a self-centered world. Hmmm…much to think about.