On gratitude.

“I have been finding treasures in places I did not want to search. I have been hearing wisdom from tongues I did not want to listen to. I have been finding beauty where I did not want to look. And I have learned so much from journeys I did not want to take. Forgive me, for I have been closing my ears and eyes for too long. I have learned that miracles are only called miracles because they are often witnessed by only those who can can see through all of life’s illusions. ” 
― Suzy Kassem

I love this quote.

I love it because it speaks different things to different people but to me it encompasses so much of my journey personally and politically.  At this point in my life I’ve moved beyond the silo’s of left and right but want to learn from both…as much as that irritates a lot of people.

When Merv died, a fellow tweep who’s pretty hardcore right, Libertarian and the antithesis of everything the left embrace, revealed he and Merv had connected and chatted. And that Merv had told him frequently to follow me. So he did out of respect to Merv.

We don’t have a lot in common but Merv.

But he’s learned a bit about me and I’ve come to understand him better. We still prickle like porcupines on most issues. But he gets that I care about where the province goes more than I care about any party and I get that he actually has a lot more concern over social issues than he lets on.  And most of the time his persona online is far more gruff than his real personality. We don’t agree on how to get from point A to point B.. but I think we both hold onto those small common points we do share…  “hearing wisdom from tongues I did not want to listen to..”

My point? Mervs passing made me really take pause again and be thankful for the experiences and people I encounter whether we agree or not. I am thankful for those whose views I find myself reacting to…because it teaches me about myself. We sure as heck won’t fix this world, or any of the people in it fighting with those we don’t agree with all the time. Nor will we fix any of it fighting each other.

Be grateful for where we live. And be thankful for those who make an effort to be in your lives. Show them and tell them. Life is short. Make it worth it. ❤

Happy Thanksgiving my friends. May your day be peaceful and your heart content. And to those I know who are grieving, my warm thoughts are with you too. Courage & strength my friends🙏