Enjoying one another every day

Mark Pavilons

There's an old adage that sums up how we should approach our daily living - don't let the idiots get you down!

We share the planet with a lot of humans whose elevators are stuck between floors. Since that's the case, it's best to ignore those who are hell-bent on making others miserable, or who go out of their way to otherwise insult, denigrate and chastise. Way too much negative energy for anyone's good.

Given our capacity for greatness, shouldn't we be directing our energies to more useful and positive purposes? May the Force be with you!

The other morning, I left the house a tad late, and decided to drive to one of my favorite coffee shops, opening the window at the drivethru, feeling the cool fall air nip at my cheeks. I was greeted by the owner/operator - one of the most courteous gentlemen I've ever met. After presenting me with my order, he said it came to "whatever I had." After sipping my fresh extra large decaf, I smiled as I drove off, mumbling to myself that this is what makes getting out of bed in the morning worthwhile. And, encounter genuinely nice souls every day is most gratifying.

And then it dawned on me. Working for a living, putting up with morons for bosses, is all palatable if we rely on our fellow human beings for compassion, motivation, inspiration and a source of guiding light.

This shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us. Preoccupied by the energydraining complexities of life, we often overlook the important things that lay right under our noses. There, at arm's length, are our most valuable treasures - our friends and family members. Movie night with the kids, cold pizza and rosy cheeks on cold mornings - it doesn't get any better than this! And it shouldn't.

As I drove away from that coffee shop in my hand-medown minivan, I thought to myself: "well, this isn't my Porsche, but it runs; it's paid for and holds everyone quite comfortably."

There's an odd rattle on the driver's side sliding door when it gets cold.

In my life, there are a few, trivial annoyances that seek me out on a daily basis. I have more than my fair share of "leaky faucets."

I'm trying to sock away money for Christmas presents and I am not looking forward to winter. I faithfully buy lottery tickets, hoping to strike it rich, assuming of course, that money buys happiness. When will I really learn?

Just when I think I'm only adequate as a parental role model, my kids astonish me.

Liam, upon reading the "Visitor" markings on a parking spot, asked Kim why we would extend such courtesies to aliens landing here on Earth. After chuckling, she said this only applied to humans and their terrestrial modes of transportation. He's beginning to learn to read at a surprising rate and has an incredible memory and ear for music.

Lexie is already making plans for her future career as a doctor, while lining up her doll accessories on her bedroom floor, with an almost military precision. Her intensity and pursuit of perfection is offset by her enjoyment of amusement parks and water slides. She had a dream recently about finding $1 million in cash on a beach in the Bahamas. I doubt she even knows what a million is, but you gotta love her imagination!

Kyleigh is desperately trying to make up for lost time by evolving at breakneck speed. Her laughs and giggles keep me anchored and sane.

While my immediate family now consists of only my mother and I, I cherish the time we get together. She's undoubtedly pleased to see my terrible trio in action. It has almost made her believe in miracles.

It's not easy being me sometimes. I'm well versed in another adage - "it's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys."

I can't do much about humankind's collective IQ deficiency. Nor can I change society's penchant for material wealth and pursuit of self-indulgence.

But I can smile each day, a few dozen times. I can laugh at myself because it's much better than crying. I can be pleasant to others who cross my path. I can share a joke or pleasantry with total strangers.

And I can continue to believe in goodness, in all of its shapes and sizes.

I have to. There are at least three very important people depending on it.