Relishing

Last year, I read Carol Burnett's latest book, This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection (2011).  At the beginning of the book she talks about how she and her Grandma (who raised her) enjoyed going to the movies when she was growing up.  Even when they could barely scrounge up money for other items, they always found a way to go to the movies.  When she was maybe 7, she went to see a movie with Jimmy Stewart.  As soon as he came on the screen, she held her breath.  She was mesmerized by him.  Could not take her eyes off of him.  When they left the theatre, she told her Nana that she and Jimmy were friends, it just hadn't happened yet.  Later, she and Jimmy did become good friends.

To have that kind of knowing, that kind of vision.  That is where I am aim to be.  When you are totally and completely lined up with your dream for your life.  Nothing could be better.  Ben is so good at this.  Right now, Ben is superbly exuberant about two topics --Legos and pets.  As you may or may not know, Ben received a Beta (a really colorful fish) for his birthday.  Now he wants to get a bird.  For a few days this week he was super excited about some of the Lego sets in his Lego magazine.  After school, he pored over the catalogue, discussing what he would do with each set.  From these discussions he has found new ways to play with the magnificent sets he already has.  What I love about his desires is how pure they are.  He doesn't think, "Oh I love this set, and I can't have it because it costs too much..."  He is not caught in the how it will happen, just the knowing that it will.  When we do the gratitude journal, he will say, "I am greatful for my new Lego set."  He has absolutely no doubt in his mind that his Lego set or pet or whatever he is excited about is on its way.  He relishes the excitement and anticipation of the fun that is on the way, rather than bemoaning that it is not here yet.  For him, the journey is almost, not quite, but almost, more fun than the end result.