Words of Wisdom

This is the true joy in life, 

the being used for a purpose 

recognized by yourself as a mighty one; 

the being a force of nature 

instead of a feverish, selfish little clod 

of ailments and grievances 

complaining that the world 

will not devote itself 

to making you happy. 

George Bernard Shaw

I saw this quote on Tess Kincaid's blog, Life at Willow Manor,  and thought to myself, "Yes!!!" George got this one exactly right. For those of you who may not think you're adept at deciphering quotes, the gist is this: If you want to be happy, quit complaining that you're not happy and get out there and DO something useful! 

How many people do you know who whine, whine whine about their sad, little lives? Every gripe, every grievance must be recorded and recited to anyone and everyone. Does the ranting make them feel better afterward? Does it provide some catharsis? Hell no!  They go on feeling miserable and downtrodden, accumulating ever more resentments and lamentations. Do these chronic pessimists ever attempt to do anything to change their outlook or their situation? No, they don't because they feel that Life owes them happiness. They have a sense of entitlement that is bigger than the chip they carry around on their slumping shoulders! As George puts it, they are "selfish little clods."

What these sadsacks fail to realize is that if they would just take a little time to think about someone other than themselves, it may just benefit them. "Get your head out of your pupik" is a Yiddish expression that means "Get your head out of your belly button" or "Look around you." There are many people who are worse off than most of us.  Try thinking about someone other than your pathetic self for a short time and you may find that suddenly, your mood improves. Once you find a purpose, your own complaints don't loom as large. The irony (and I hate when people use the word 'irony' wrong, but that's another rant) is that helping others helps you. 

Am I talking about you? Are you one of the "selfish little clods" of whom Mr. Shaw speaks? Answer these questions honestly:

1. When you have a conversation, do you talk mostly about yourself? Do you talk or do you listen?
2. When you hear about world or local events, do you immediately think, "How will this affect me?"
3. Do you refuse or neglect to do things that are helpful to others or to the environment because they are inconvenient to you?
4. Do you give of yourself only when you expect to get something in return?
5. Do you make any attempt to understand people who come from different cultures or backgrounds from your own or do you think that those who differ from you are problematic?
6. Do you feel that you are entitled to have things go well for you and that if they don't, it must be someone's fault? 
7. Are you frequently oblivious to the effect of your actions on others? For example, do you talk on your cell phone in restaurants, blow smoke near people's faces, cut off other cars in traffic?
8. Do you often fail to keep promises or obligations because you "forget" or because something "better" or "more important" comes up?

If you find that you've answered "yes" to several of these questions, you may want to think about whether you are, indeed, leaning toward clodhood. You may be whinier, more self-centered, and have a bigger sense of entitlement than you realize, and it may be making you an unhappy person. I KNOW it's making those around you unhappy. So, now that spring is here, do a little spring cleaning on your personality. Sweep that kvetching right out the door and start doing something useful instead of just bitching about how lousy everything is for you. As George Bernard Shaw also said, " Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

Whinin' In The Rain!

Cover your sensitive ears, folks! The Southeastern Juvenile Whiners have returned and their shrill calls fill the autumnal air! You may remember the Southeastern Whiner (juvenile) from one of my earlier posts describing my volunteer work as a guide for first graders at a local nature center. However, unlike their distinctive summer call ("It's hoooot; I'm tiiiiiired"), the fall call of the juvenile Southeastern Whiners, or SEWers, includes some different sounds that, to the trained ear, are as welcome as the yearly invasion of stink bugs. Listen closely...do you hear them? No, not that clicking and beeping-that's the parent chaperones trying to get a cell phone signal in the woods (you guys just keep trying; it'll keep your fingers from getting numb in the fall chill!) "It's cooooold! I caaan't ziiiip my jaaacket!" That's them! Listen to how they form a chorus of SEWers once one starts to whine. The whines increase in volume and intensity until they reach a near fever pitch. It's astounding!

Today was an exceptionally active day for the SEWers, as it was both slightly chilly and rainy. Now I don't know about you, but when I was a child, I LOVED playing in the rain. I would beg my mother to let me go outside and splash in the puddles. If there was a summer downpour, I would put on my swimsuit and stay outside for as long as possible.  I even remember my mother giving my soap and shampoo to shower in the rain because I refused to come inside. Not so these first graders! As soon as we stepped outside onto the damp ground, it started. "It's weeet. It's raaaaaining!" We are not talking about a monsoon here. It was drizzling. No scary thunder. No lightning. Just light drizzle. Up went the protective hoodie hoods and umbrellas to shield our young SEWers from having contact with the nasty water, lest they become   damp. Most of the forest walk was spent with the most vocal whiners notching up the decibels of their distress calls ("I'm getting WEEEEET! My shoes are MUD-DY!!! Can we walk FAAAASTER?!!)  Perhaps the Juvenile Southeastern Whiner melts when exposed to water? I promise I will conduct further research on this issue when my next flock of SEWers arrives at the Nature Center on a rainy day. Maybe I can score a National Science Foundation grant! And donations to advance this important scientific research are always welcome!

Another Rant (Naturally!)

*Today's Rant:* I am vexed by children who are afraid of dirt, won't touch bugs, and act like they're 86 instead of 6! (Shannan feels my pain, right?) For those who may not know, I volunteer as a teacher at Cypress Swamp Nature Center and work mostly with first graders. I am continually amazed and annoyed by the total unfamiliarity with nature that is shown by the kids I encounter and, worse, their lack of interest, curiosity, and compassion for the world around them. With rare exceptions, these kids are either terrified of nature or display an appalling apathy or disregard. They reluctantly leave their fluorescent lit cocoons and turn off their Wiis only when forced and then only when their parents cover them in toxic aerosol insect repellents and rub them down with hand sanitizer every 15 minutes. It's no wonder they think the outdoors is a dangerous place! Parents, get a grip! A little dirt won't hurt! Kids should WANT to get dirty, to catch bugs, to play outside, to run around. Not the kids I see! After a short walk on mostly flat ground, I invariably hear the call of the Southeastern Juvenile Whiner, "It's hooooot. I'm tiiiiiired. I'm huuuuungry." If you keep listening, their calls rise to a piercing crescendo; "My feeeeet huuuuurt! I'm tiiiiiiired of waaaaaaalkiiiiiiing." Good gracious, my grandmother has more energy than these kids and she's been dead for 10 years! What have we created by harping on the dangers of sun exposure, Lyme disease, anaphalactic shock from bee stings,and other evils that lurk outside in the world? We have created a generation of kids who know all of the risks and dangers that await them but never get to experience the joy of unfettered exploration in the natural world and never gain the skills, experience, competence, self-esteem, and empathy that comes from forming a bond with nature. What a shame.