Monday 2 March 2009

Find Your Tennis Ball!

A couple of summers ago, I drove down to Portland for a weekend. Several of my friends live there, and it is always nice to see them. On this particular weekend, I stayed with my friend, London (so nicknamed because that is where she now lives). London's family has a dog, Luke. Luke is charming. Luke is gregarious. Luke is, well, a bit of a nutcase.

There is no greater joy in Luke's life than the presence of a tennis ball. Pick up a tennis ball, and you are his new best friend. Some dogs (and people, come to think of it) are like this about food. Luke likes food too, but it's nothing compared to the joy of the tennis ball. I spent ages playing with him that weekend, throwing the ball for him to retrieve, and hiding it for him to find. When he discovered we were going to play TENNIS BALL, his whole back end would start wagging. He had a grin on his face that just said, "Oh I LOVE this! This is the best day IN THE WHOLE WORLD!"

And so, my friends, I have decided that it is all there is to it. Find your tennis ball. If there is something that makes you happy beyond all reason, then do it. If there is a job, activity, or hobby that makes your whole body feel like it's sparkling, then don't try to talk yourself out of it. You, your friends, your family, and everyone who comes in contact with you will have the benefit of spending time with someone who is satisfied with him or herself. Someone who is happy and excited.

And that is how I hope to approach my future. I know that reality is going to sneak in there and become an issue, but if I set my sights on being happy (and, you know, with food and shelter, etc), then I HOPE I can't go too far wrong.

I got this quote from Yaya's blog, and I like it a lot:

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

3 comments:

  1. Blythe (L),
    You never cease to amaze me. You have the ability to write such profound posts. You are wise beyond your years.
    This post is amazing. You're absolutely right. What a great analogy!

    PS I got your card and donation today! Thank you SO much! I love the card and have it pinned on my bulletin board because it makes me smile!

    Yaya

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  2. That is so very true...you have to find your bliss. You are a very well-adjusted girl and you will be amazing at whatever you do. Even when reality does sneak in.

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  3. Inspirational post. I will defitely be focusing on my tennis ball when I've got three seconds to pull together.

    And, it's true: the world does need people who come alive. What a vibrant and positive world it would be.

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