I met Ed on one of those gloriously brilliant days that you want to forever embed in your soul. I was taking a walk along the beach, and the ocean was dazzling, as if jewels were dancing atop its surface. Ed and I exchanged pleasantries and spoke about our small town's current happenings. "What a sweet, elderly gentleman," I thought, as I continued my way in the opposite direction.
Little did I know that Ed would become an integral part of my life in a small, but oh so significant way. It turns out that I now see Ed almost every day as I'm driving to work. Rain or shine, snow or wind, Ed is out there on his daily walk. I beep the horn, and Ed enthusiastically waves back, sometimes offering me a quick thumbs up. He is always smiling despite the hardship of his journey and the fact that age has curved his upper back, causing him to walk with a stoop.
Ed is a daily inspiration to me because of his positive spirit. When I am bemoaning the fact that it's early, or dark, or cold and I'm tired and I have to go to work, Ed is there as a visual reminder that life is good and that I have a lot to be grateful for. Last year I went to a gratitude workshop at Kripalu, and one of the women shared a little trick to foster a thankful mindset. She said, "Instead of saying I have to do this or that, say I get to do this or that." Her advice has stuck with me. When I'm sometimes not so eager to go to work (especially on a Monday morning!), I think about how lucky I am to have a job and that some people don't get to go to work.
The Universe puts people on our path to help us along the journey. They come into our life for a reason, to teach us some lesson. Ed is one of the angels upon my path. Who are yours?
Little did I know that Ed would become an integral part of my life in a small, but oh so significant way. It turns out that I now see Ed almost every day as I'm driving to work. Rain or shine, snow or wind, Ed is out there on his daily walk. I beep the horn, and Ed enthusiastically waves back, sometimes offering me a quick thumbs up. He is always smiling despite the hardship of his journey and the fact that age has curved his upper back, causing him to walk with a stoop.
Ed is a daily inspiration to me because of his positive spirit. When I am bemoaning the fact that it's early, or dark, or cold and I'm tired and I have to go to work, Ed is there as a visual reminder that life is good and that I have a lot to be grateful for. Last year I went to a gratitude workshop at Kripalu, and one of the women shared a little trick to foster a thankful mindset. She said, "Instead of saying I have to do this or that, say I get to do this or that." Her advice has stuck with me. When I'm sometimes not so eager to go to work (especially on a Monday morning!), I think about how lucky I am to have a job and that some people don't get to go to work.
The Universe puts people on our path to help us along the journey. They come into our life for a reason, to teach us some lesson. Ed is one of the angels upon my path. Who are yours?
