Living Well

As I grow older, living well has come to mean releasing my own expectations in a given situation rather than obsessing over whatever seems not-quite-right. Living fully and well means trusting the Author of the larger emerging story.   Accepting what is.

Recently I ordered a new rope hammock to replace our old weathered one that was on the verge of becoming unsafe.  When the new hammock arrived, I threw away the box (the trash man was due, so why not?), as well as the old hammock.  Several days later I discovered that I’d ordered the wrong size; the new hammock was much too short!

At first I was frustrated and angry with myself for wasting money and time, especially since the 4^th of July is just around the corner.  But this morning I swallowed my pride and tried hanging the short hammock between two other (close-together) trees.  It will work perfectly as a child-sized hammock for the younger grandkids! This evening I ordered another rope hammock that has more desirable features than either the old one or the one I intended to order the first time, and it was on sale with free shipping!

This is a simplistic illustration, but to me it says life events aren’t accidental; there is always a reason that ultimately fits with the bigger picture.  “When unforeseen things occur, let me not forget that all comes down from Thee.” (Orthodox morning prayer)

In fact, this kind of recovery looks like a kind of redemption to me.  It is generous and obvious, and enables changes that wouldn't happen any other way.  Sometimes there are other cases when I can’t grasp it as tangibly (the illusive dangling carrot), but am aware of being changed for the better in deep-seated ways because of the challenge.  Either way, acceptance is comforting and freeing, a way to live well.