salad sermon

 i wrote here of reconnecting with a dear friend from my long ago "salad"days---i suppose that can
be read as "fresh, young and green"---- but as we catch up, i am noticing that "salad days" have
very little connection to youth; we discuss them freely like the mature hens that we are.  it is more
the freshness or newness of a project, a garden plan, or a new direction followed....or a new
decision made-for-sure!  we all have many small changes that we make daily, without attention
to what the results may be. living thoughtlessly is its own punishment.

if we can just retain that freshness of mind, and that creative spark that keeps us charged with energy,
then our life's path--long and winding and full of ruts--stays lively and full of hope and wonder
at the unique beauty of it all.. we wake up  eager to see what's up ahead  around the bend,
rather than cringing fearfully at what each next day might bring. no one can "tell" this truth to
others; we are often just drawn to contented souls, and witness the joy within them;  in observing
their way to happiness,  they show us hints of the good-lived life by their example.....
even those elderly garden ladies, in their gloves and straw hats  busy at planting the new
entrance to the senior center, are living with joy and creating a flowerbed that none may even
live to see develop into its full beauty. it is a good feeling to live full of hope.
living in present time allows you full rich enjoyment of every small moment in each day, each season
or even each passing year. what is past is alive only in memory. 
and by our own hand, we write each new chapter.... by the many "fresh, green" thoughts
that come to us, and that we proceed to bring to fruition in our lives.

for those that are bored, or living dull repetitive lives, or perhaps deep in a rut with no way out,
the ability to climb out, or break through is within all of  us.   it is how we direct our attention, with love
and gratitude to be alive that bring us into alignment with the the possibilities of living out our
"salad days", sometimes every day.   no matter what our life brings, the positive possibilities of tomorrow
can still take root in our busy minds. leave the low expectations alone, 'cause that's all you will get.

much love and many thanks to my friend and sister,  who has inspired me out of my winter shell
into such springish anticipations.  i think fate has brought us back to each-other to be mutual catalysts.
for the gift of these "salad days", i am both grateful  to you and honored by your enthusiasm.