Here and Now

I have been thinking a lot about Michael Jackson this weekend. His songs have been running through my mind all day long. I think it's because so many people in the world are singing and playing his music right now. I didn't think about Michael Jackson at all until he died. For me, the real Michael Jackson faded away along with his dark skin, wide nose, and curly hair. He was so handsome. I wish he could have loved himself the way he was born.

Seeing so many people outside and celebrating Michael's life and music is touching. Masses of people singing his songs, enjoying what he created. I wish Michael could have seen this. It wasn't screaming fans, crying fans, reaching fans. It was an outdoor party with Michael's music as the theme. I know he would have felt the love from people all over the world and been touched. He wouldn't have to give any more...he could just receive the love.

Remember to tell people you care for and love how you feel about them. If you can't say it in words, say it in your actions. Do it now, while you are both here to have the experience. It's so sad when people are gone from this earth and we want to say so many things, things we didn't say. I am lucky to have learned this lesson long ago and I strive to be forthcoming with my friends and family now. You never know the difference you make when you tell someone they are loved. You could even save a life.

Gratitude

I was thinking the other day that even though I have been bracing for fifty, I do not want to say out loud to anyone that I am fifty years old. I just can't bring myself to admit it. Maybe when I actually have my birthday on July 3rd, I will feel obligated to state my age, but only if asked! I am a very honest person and just don't want to out and out lie about my age. I'm thinking about holding on at 48. But then, that goes against what I am trying to accomplish, which is a life of continuous learning, growth, and internal beauty. I want to be an example for others and show that getting older is a great achievement. I must work at getting older gracefully. I must work to be healthy, to exercise, eat right, keep up with current events, read history, teach what I know, be kind to others. Every day I can lead the kind of life that I will be proud of when it's time to say goodbye to this earth. I want to live every day that way.

My cousin died of breast cancer at age 40. She was so happy to have lived that long. Her mother, my aunt, died of the same thing before she reached 40. My cousin was an art teacher. She taught and influenced so many young people in her life. She died too young, of course, but she lived a good and a purposeful life. That is how I choose to live.

Becoming fifty years old will be an honor and a privilege. I vow to live with purpose and kindness in my heart. I will embrace the years. I will dance and sing towards 60, 70, 80 and beyond.

The Weather

Why do we talk so much about the weather? In the grocery store, making a purchase, waiting in line. It's one of those topics that everyone can relate to. Isn't the weather nice today? Not too hot yet, is it? Did you notice the nice breeze? I am one of those people who notices the weather. I'm a bit worried that it's an "old person" thing but my experience says, no. We are all interested in today's weather. But why?

Obviously, if you're traveling, it's important to know what you're flying or driving towards, to be prepared. Or what you have to look forward to, what to pack. Have you ever planned your day around the weather? Postponed a short drive when the rain is flooding the streets, or canceled an outdoor event because the day would just be too darn hot?

My mood is often influenced by the weather. I wonder if that's biological and if our ancient ancestors felt the same way. If the weather is rainy or harsh, we want to stay inside. Makes sense. If the weather is pleasant and sunny, we want to feel the sunshine on our skin and enjoy whatever is outside. I live in a place where it is often sunny and warm but I am not an outside person. The things I love to do, I love to do inside.

When I left Southern California 22 years ago, I was so tired of the overcast days of summer. I was angry! It's June! I wanted to be at the beach in the morning enjoying the sunshiny summer days, but that is exactly the time for overcast skies. We called it June Gloom. Phoenix in June is almost bearable. It's getting pretty hot, but you can still grab some coolness in the early morning and later evenings. The problem is that I know my summer isn't going to get any better. It's going to get so hot that I will be stashed inside my house like a ground squirrel in a hidey hole. I only venture out when I have to drive a kid somewhere or buy groceries.

So why do I hate the hot weather so much? I think it's because the rest of the country is enjoying being outside and we in Phoenix are experiencing cabin fever. I also think that I prefer a more moderate temperature. But then, doesn't everyone? Extreme hot and extreme cold are dangerous to human life and if we aren't prepared, we could die. Ah ha! We need to know what the weather will be like so we won't succumb to the elements and die! That's biology based , don't you think?

We are all submissive to the weather. We can't change it, we're getting better at predicting it, but ultimately we can merely observe it and behave accordingly. If I could choose a place to live based on the weather, I would choose more rain, not much snow, breezy, and just enough sunshine to keep me from going crazy. I wonder if can google that.