The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

As I drove to dinner last night, I saw a family holding up a sign, saying they'd work for food. For once, I pulled over, got out of my car, introduced myself, and asked to hear their story. When all was said and done, I took them to the place of their choosing (Chick-fil-A), bought them a meal, and wished them well. The tears and gratitude in their eyes, the seemingly never-ending stream of "thank yous" will never be forgotten. It's pretty easy to focus on the minor hardships in life, whether it be a traffic jam, the cable going out, or a flight delay, yet many of us often times forget how fortunate we are. While we're struggling to decide where to travel next, another family is struggling to put food on the table and simply survive. Who knows whether or not my gesture will help this family in the long-term, but while I work at home, contemplating on what to eat next, sadly taking such a thing for granted, I'm glad I was able to provide such a necessity to ano...

Inhaling Life A hot shower on a cold winter day, Receiving a phone call from an old friend, A home-cooked meal at mom’s, A surprise visit from a girlfriend, A small gift on a random day, Being let over during rush hour, Having the doors opened for me, Being happily greeted by my dogs, Catching up with family, Complimented by a stranger, Seeing the joy on a child’s face, Reading a book when the power’s out, Hearing an elder’s stories, Feeling the sun’s presence, Working out early in the morning, Gazing up into infiniteness, Seeing a couple in love, Helping those in need, Learning more about myself, Watching a favorite movie, The little things in life, Always placing a smile on my face, The little things in life, I vow to never take for granted, As I awake in the morning, I fully breathe life in, Appreciating the day ahead of me, Cherishing all of the little things.

This can be found on pages 127-128 in the book "Seasons Come, People Grow: A Poetic Journey". The air in which I breathe, The home where I live, The eyes from which I see, I take all these things for granted, The sounds in which I hear, The roof that provides me shelter, All that I seemingly don't need, I take all of this for granted, The tiring jog I take every day, The dollars I waste on gas, All the studying that cause me headaches, I take it all for granted, A smile gleams across my face from ear to ear, Every morning in which I wake, How can I be so selfish to accept all as the norm? To take for granted what many others lack? To take for granted is a sin, One in which I hope never again to commit, How privileged am I to be where I am, How grateful I am to live the life I live.