Homework for the Overactive Brain

Today's Quote--"Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me..."

Monday, January 26, 2004

 

Today's Quote--"Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines."--Satchel Paige

Yes, I've been head-hanging, sitting down and grieving. It's good to get a kick in the ass sometimes. I'm so happy I have my quote book. But truth be told...I pray everyday. ;)

Interesting thing about prayer, death, life, and reality. As human beings it's really easy for us to just go along as we always have, until something comes up and bites us, wakes us up from dream-walking. The imineant death of someone close to us reminds us that we will all die, and that makes every moment precious. It reminds us of the power of prayer and gives us reason to begin again if we've gotten lax...or to increase it if we haven't. It gives us the opportunity to appreciate our lives, the lives of our families, our health, their health, and the fortune we have to be together. I think this counts no matter what your religion.

Religion is a lot about life and death. Death is the great unknown, and humans don't like the unknown. I mean, look at all we do to "explore" the unknown...NASA, deep sea divers, scientists, philosophers, etc. It is a unique quirk of our race. But the answer to death has eluded us all. We think, we have ideas, we console ourselves with theories and beliefs, but in the end, we don't really know. That's what scares us. We don't know. Maybe, instead of trying to figure out what happens, what we need to do is find ways to make the unknown not as scary. Maybe that's how I look at it. To live your life to the fullest, every moment, so that no matter what moment is your last, you will have no regrets. To look at death as simply an unknown, a new adventure, a new challenge, a new obstacle. Because every end is simply the beginning of something else. Conservation of Energy: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Spiritual engery is the same. I don't think there's a big dark after death, but you know what? It doesn't matter. This moment is what matters. And as such, I shall treasure it.

The hard part is not becoming complacent, to remember the appreciation everyday. But I guess, that's the gift my grandmother is giving me. A constant reminder to cherish. It's still hard to be positive, but I think I'm getting there. I pray for her happiness...and will allow her life to decide what that is.

As for right now, I'm tired. My knee hurts. And I'm losing motivation to study. Joys...;) But...I'm thinking a nap might be in order, I've got a referal from Jackie to an orthopedic doctor who specializes in knees (must make appointment), and I got three out of 6 pages done on my writing class paper. Too bad there is so much else I need to study. Ahh, well, such is life as a student. Starting to think work after SUA is good. A little life experience might make grad school more useful. But, still chanting about it. Anyway, I'll go attempt to do some more work. :D

As long as I can still smile and laugh, life will go on.

GL 4:16 PM