Random thoughts on a special day
March 17, 2009 (Tuesday)
Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. Are you wearing green?
It seems to me that this is a strange kind of celebration. It is a religious observance for some, a celebration of true Irish heritage by many, and a celebration just to join in the fun for great numbers of people. Parades are held in many cities, and certain customs involving food and drink are observed in nations all around the world.
Is your ancestry Irish? Some of mine is, but I also find my roots in Germany, England, Scotland, perhaps the Netherlands, and the trail leads through the Scotch-Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch as well. My ancestry is scattered across western Europe but also through New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, sort of California, associated with Colorado, probably Tennessee, maybe New Jersey and we dare not forget Arkansas and East Texas, and who knows where else? You name it. What does it really matter? I was born in Houston, Texas, and I am an American. For that I am truly thankful.
Oh, I’m not saying our ancestry is totally irrelevant. It certainly is interesting stuff and I think we should study and maintain records of the past and the present. And I’m not saying it’s a bad idea to join the celebrations on Saint Paddy’s Day. It’s lots of fun, and we surely could use a big dose of that these days. For many of you, it’s more than that, and stirs the emotions as you contemplate your ancestry.
The most important item in your life is you. You are an individual, and you start with a clean slate when you are born. Many obstacles may be thrown across your path in life, but ultimately what you become is largely up to you. Some people may get breaks in life that help them attain health, wealth and success, but their good fortune does not translate into defeat for you.
Attitude is a key element in a person’s life. In your life. In mine. I could name a lot of people today who have grown into greatness, moving past whatever might have hindered them, but you can name many of them yourself. Right?
You have a choice. You can look at life positively or negatively.
Today’s a good day to start looking up. Tomorrow will be O.K. too. But today is better.
Choose you this day.