It’s awfully quiet in my little corner of the world this morning. A small breeze stirs the maple leaves. Nemo snoozes, the refrigerator clicks on, and even the birds are still. The dog walker strides up the hill, her furry, four-legged charge trotting to keep up. No lights shine from any windows besides mine. My neighbors are asleep.
On such a morning, I think how easy it would be to become a recluse, to just remain in my comfortable corner, thinking my own thoughts, observing, writing, not mixing. But, that would not be the best thing, the healthy, sensible thing. A person turned inward limits herself and misses out on the lives of others.
I would be aware only of my own aches and pains, my own troubles, and even my own hopes and goals. I wouldn’t see the problems of anyone else or celebrate with them on achievements or ache with them when they ache, laugh when they laugh. What a limited world I would live in, if I kept to my own comfortable corner, warm and familiar, and failed to look outward.
It’s a strange thing, but I’ve noticed, as years have passed, that people who are healthier, happier, and stay young longer are those who are interested in other people. I mean, really interested, not just curious or nosy. There’s an old saying, troubles shared are troubles halved. And, that’s true. Another one: joys shares are joys doubled.
So, although it is quiet and serene and nicely comfortable, I’ll leave my small place and start the day. I wonder what is going on in the lives of my friends that I’ll see at church? I can’t wait to see my grandchildren and hear about their week. And, of course, there are my imaginary friends–those people who live on the pages of my cozy mysteries. An interesting group, but always getting into trouble. In this world of seemingly unanswerable problems, it’s good to know this is one group I can help. It’s a nice feeling.
Manos Mysteries
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