My good friend finished a good ski day at Brundage and headed back to his McCall cabin. He got home and realized he lost his wedding band in the parking lot, probably when he took his gloves off. It was very busy up there and the chances of finding it were slim but he quickly drove back and thanks to a bit of luck and remembering kind of where he parked, he found his ring. This upcoming week is his wedding anniversary – that is New Years luck. A few weeks ago I was walking my dog on the golf course and had my AirPod in one ear as I often listen to music. I stopped to take off my stocking cap and apparently dropped the device in the new snow. I did not realize it was gone until I got back home and was too lazy to walk back to look but I vowed to look the next day. What are the chances? I lost a white ear phone in the snow. No luck the next day. Back the following day I was amazed to find the AirPod and more amazed when it still worked. So why is it I can lose my car keys in my house and can’t find them? My phone is easy to locate because my IWatch will ping it. I bet you have your own stories of things lost that are surprisingly found. As we age, hopefully we can remember all of the good luck and realize it far outweighs the negative. It is the end of another year and I am looking back on my good fortune and even those friends I lost remain as clear positive memories. Once you have been called “Boompa” by your grandchildren because they are happy to see you, need help, or want ice cream you realize it balances all the lost and broken stuff. So what can I do to improve myself next year that may be realistic and benefits more than just myself or my ego.
Each year most of us make resolutions; more sleep, less stress, eat better, drink less, exercise more, reach out to friends, meditate, educate, or maybe lower your handicap or learn to properly angulate those turns on skis – all are worthwhile aspirations. I have tried to never “should” on others but it never dawned on me, that is also good advice for myself. I worry about our country and our world and believe I should do something to make a difference. It dawns on me that my expectations are high but my influence is local-at best I could make a difference in Idaho. My resolution is to remain positive, constructive and involved where I can add value. It does not sound like much but a focus on what is important to me may allow me to achieve productive changes in 2019.
For our country I am relying on a few scholarly thoughts for comfort. “All great changes are proceeded by Chaos.” I feel the last two years accelerating to the craziness of the last few weeks classifies as chaos. Socrates, posited a few years ago “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” And to conclude the year C. S. Lewis gives us excellent advice; “you can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Best wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year! Mike
Rings-other Lost things.
