Taking time to smell the roses

“To be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to

work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with

your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made

the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood

and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by

your admirations rather than your dislikes; to covet nothing that is

your neighbor’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of

manner; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends and

every day of Christ.”

-- HENRY VAN DYKE

It was hot and muggy, and I was getting grumpy. I tried to beat

the heat on my morning walk, but wasn’t successful. One song by the

Beatles has the phrase, “I’ll follow the sun,” but the morning I

wrote this column, I chased the shade. I thought I had left early

enough, and chose paths under trees, but I was perspiring within a

few blocks.

Before leaving our housing development, I stopped briefly and

stared at some beautiful roses. I pass them almost everyday and

appreciate their beauty, but today, they seemed even more radiant.

“You really are stunning, you know,” I said out loud to the

wonderfully colored roses. “I’ll stop and admire you more on my way

home.”

Then I looked at my watch and picked up my pace. My perspiring

picked up, too, and my mood sank some more.

Then I thought about so many family and friends who are struggling

with illness, loss and pain that they don’t deserve. They are

wonderful people of integrity who work hard, give sacrificially,

volunteer and help others whenever and however possible. My “pity

party” quickly escalated to ridiculous proportions.

Fortunately, I snapped out of it when a gentleman I pass often

said, “Why are you looking so down today?”

I realized I was looking at life all wrong, talked to him briefly,

thanked him and then continued on my way. I passed other walkers,

runners, bikers and scattering rabbits, and gradually realized how

fortunate we were to be outside at all.

I came to a turn and looked around at the mighty ocean, the bright

sky, wildflowers and gorgeous gardens. The birds sang cheerfully, and

I realized we all have blessings we don’t deserve. Many of my prayers

haven’t been answered the way I’d like, but I’ve also seen many

answered in positive and powerful ways.

I thought about some of those and my “pity party” changed into

more of a “praise party.” I picked up my pace as I thought of God’s

grace. I paused at the top of the hill and gazed at wild poppies. My

mood picked up even though the breeze didn’t.

I stopped at a different entrance to our subdivision, and smelled

some other roses. Their fragrance was better than anything out of

bottle, and they dripped with last night’s dew or an early morning

sprinkle. As I turned for home, I thanked God for my family, friends,

neighbors and much more.

By the time I reached our front door, it was even hotter and

muggier, but it didn’t matter so much anymore. The change in my

attitude was the most refreshing of all.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.