Greetings from My Mountain Cabin,
Basketball coaching legend Al McGuire died in 2001. He was a brilliant strategist on the court, but more than that, an acute observer of the human condition and a sagacious philosopher off the court.
As an inspirational speaker on the lecture circuit, Coach McGuire would often tell a story about an earlier time enjoyed at the beach with his grandmother. Teen-aged Al was frolicking in the surf when his grandmother called him over to their blanket. She said she had brought a banana for him to eat for lunch. Al declined, saying he wanted to play in the water some more. And that he did.
After a few hours, under a cloudy sky with the water no longer inviting, Al returned to his grandmother's location and looked for the banana. Opportunity missed. The banana was gone.
How many times have you and members of your family resisted eating that last banana in the bowl because you felt it would be selfish to do so? Better to leave it for someone more deserving (?)
The deference shown by each of those in your household results in no one eating the banana. Soon it becomes over-ripe and speckled with dark brown spots. Yet, the ironic thing is that, were a survey taken, any of your loved ones would have said to you, Eat the banana!
Of course today's world could use considerably more good manners and gentility. (Perhaps we can start by taking off our ball caps in a public restaurant.) And no one has a right to deprive anyone else of elements essential to their happiness. Yet, the pleasures we experience in life need not be deferred when they do not have a negative impact on another. Do you need an invitation?
If so, I invite you to . . .
✶ get up early one morning and watch the sunrise
✶ make a dream sheet of things to do before you die and pick at least two for 2010
✶ take a sailboat ride the next time you visit the beach
✶ rub noses with an infant
✶ take that special person in your life to dinner and consume your meal at half your normal pace
✶ have a conversation with your dog as if s/he has a perfect understanding of human language
✶ audition for a role in a community theater production
✶ ban yourself from the evening news for at least a week
✶ leave the service person a $20 tip for a $6 meal the next time you eat breakfast at a restaurant
✶ call those whom you love and tell them so
✶ buy that oil painting or wall hanging
✶ take those guitar or piano lessons
✶ let go of the need to convince others that your religious or political views should also be theirs
✶ download that e-course and start learning Italian or German before your trip to Europe
✶ begin writing your book . . .
And do it NOW, while you still have your health, strength and mental clarity. Physical and mental vitality do not last forever.
The banana will not always be there. Eat it. . . . and better, yet, share it! I'll join you.
Be well, do good work, keep in touch,
Ed
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Click here to have your name added to our Circle of Friends data base and also receive a FREE print-quality copy of Timeless Truths—Ten simple insights for changing your life.
Your contact information will never be shared with a third party. Promise.