The older I get the more I understand..........

The older I get the more I understand the things that I learned hanging on my dads shirt tail. The more I learn to appreciate the simply life I had growing up. I guess to some people we seemed poor by modern standards. But who sets those standards any way and why? You are considered very poor if you don't have indoor plumbing and running water. But if you have clean pure water to consume and use for everyday needs, even though it don't come from a municipal water source, you still have water, so how does that make you poor? Just because you grow your own food and it don't come in a fancy package from the grocery store, how does that make you poor? Just because you know how and do, with your own 2 hand procure your own meats and process them, how does that make you poor? As an adult I now know we were rich in the things that really matter.  Growing up I learned all these things and it was a way of life. I never knew I was poor. I had to work hard but I always had a few dollars in my pocket and had what I needed as a child and on into adulthood. We didn't have TV growing up so we never knew of all the bad things that happen all over the world like we do today. I'm not so sure that knowing those things help us at all. Sometimes it just gives us things to stress about that we can in no way control. As parents we keep our kids safe by protecting them from harmful things, essentially things we can control around us. So seems to me if we strive to make our own self and personal surroundings and life good then it has to make a better world. That is "if" everyone did the same. I think there was a song or something that kinda said "wall street fell, we were so poor we didn't know". If you don't see all the bad things out there and just focus on day to day life around you then it does lessen the impact. I think we all need to start with taking care of things in our own personal life, spiritual life, then our home, our local community, help a neighbor, help a friend, ease someone elses burden, one person at a time. Even as our country is in a mess at this time in our lives, I think it is "we the people" that can and will in the end make a difference and not big government. This new year I hope to be able to make me a better person, take care of my home and surroundings, then the farm, then do what I can to help local people and I think we all by jus doing this can make a big difference in our life as well as others. I guess some people might think I am a bit naive or sheltered, but so be it. Yes I do believe God is still in control, and I still believe in the good in other human beings. Call it what you will, but I guess in light of all the things that have been happening on the news this weekend made me stop and think. Even as sad and bad as the shooting in Arizona was there were still many more "good" people there than bad. The people who helped render aid to the victims, the ones who did the right thing and subdued the perpetrator, all those people doing what was "right". With no time to think if their actions would later seem self serving. IF you look at the number of people at just that scene, probably a few hundred, and only one "bad" that was out to harm another individual. Seems to me the "good" still far out number the "bad". We all in our own lil world, no matter how small or large, need to do all we can to make a positive impact on those we come in contact with and always do what is "right". Your conscience will guide you to do so, I believe that. So I challenge you to make a difference in the world, in your world, in your community, reach out to others, be  a leader. Its little things that add up. No I am not running for any political office in the future, sometimes I don't think I have a lot to contribute. But the little things can make a big difference in someone elses life. I have witnessed that happen many times. It may be a simple thank you to a stranger who holds the door for you at the grocery, that might be the only positive thing that has been said to that person that day. When you ask someone how they are doing, take time to listen to their answer, they may jus need a sympathetic ear for a few minutes to make their day. Take time to stop and smell the roses. Cause something tells me you cant smell em from 6 ft under.
Till next time, blessings from the McGuire homestead.

Stella