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MAKING IT BETTER: A Moment To Pause and Give Thanks….

By Gloria Ogunbadejo
Tuesday, September 11th, 2018
2 comments

So another dear sister lost her own personal health battles a week ago and was taken from us far too young.  I salute you dear sister. Go well on your journey home to rest.  Your elegance, grace, charm, intellect will always be remembered by those of us who were privileged to spend time with you.

Ailing health is no longer the purview of the reserved for the elderly. The life expectancy of many of us appears to be reducing rather than being extended. Is this our new reality or am I being hysterical? Even though I may be seen as a woman of a certain age, which is just a polite way to say you are probably 60 and over, I consider myself as having a lot more living to do. I have always been blessed with a young spirit, a somewhat youthful appearance (maybe not so much now!), and I have always had a connection with the youth. I have so much respect for their hustle and struggle to negotiate their way in these treacherous waters they have to tread. However I also find myself wondering why so many people in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s are succumbing to heart attacks, cancer and other mysterious ailments. It feels as if there must be a connection with our environment, stress and life style.

It also feels that we need to communicate and reach to friends and loved ones and tell them what may be going awry in our lives. I know this is not an easy path to follow, with so many people worried about being judged or betrayed.  It’s not about the quantity of people you know, but the quality of the friendships.  I feel blessed that at any given time In addition to my husband and daughters, who hold me tightly, I can name two or 3 friends at most that I can let into my inner most  circle.  These are sister/friends that I have no fear about letting know what is happening with me. We don’t always speak to one another daily but when it matters and when it counts I am assured they will be there.

There is something very tenuous and ephemera, about the times we are living in now. We seem to have forgotten how much we actually need one another in REAL TIME! There’s too much virtual friendship and LIKING, SMILEY FACES, HEARTS, DISSING, and all the other artificial stuff we are so invested in that really doesn’t mean anything. It may feel good for a minute that so many people LIKED your pictures but how much of it is real?  Make a real call to a real person. Ask how they are doing and MEAN IT! Don’t want or expect anything in return. Just do it because it is the right thing to do and you just might be making someone’s life better. Let’s elevate the playing field. Yes we can! We can make a difference in one person’s life everyday if we have the intention and believe it is worth it. And why wouldn’t it be worth it? Apart from the obvious of positively impacting on another human beings existence and making the world that much gentler and kinder in this tsunami of hate everywhere; it could be your life tomorrow that requires the good will and kindness of another. I don’t think we truly realise how much we are connected as human beings around the universe. Hearing about the death of someone in another continent reverberates and leaves its print where ever it lands. We are all part of this same universe where men, women and babies are being butchered. Of course we are affected! By showing kindness, compassion, empathy where ever and whenever we can, we counter some of that evil and bring light into the darkness.

 

 

Special Prayer

Dear lord, we pray for all the sick members of our communities and for those who are in need.

Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence.

We ask for your mercy to close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits.

May we all find lasting health, joy and happiness in our lives.

AMEN

 

 

2 Responses

  1. Amen!!! Such thoughtful and wonderful words. I’ve learnt a lot from your continuous emphasis on qualitative friendship and reaching out to others and these say volume about the kind of amazing life you’re leading. May the soul of the departed rest in peace

  2. Absolutely spot on.
    I say Amen to your prayers and thanks for the reminder to be grateful and not get carried away by comparing our lives with others.

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