"You'll disappear." - Gossip, Holy Water
Prompt 03: Virtues
What good have you done in 2011? Where do you really shine? What have you done that makes you proud of yourself?
Since I took advantage of The EnneaThought of the Day for my vices, there's some nice symmetry to talking about my virtues:
Your Type Seven EnneaThought for December 4th—
Today, become aware of one of your most powerful, positive qualities. Healthy Sevens sense there is something holy about life, which is to be revered and respected. Their sense of wonder allows them to value everything.
I'm not a religious man. I don't know if there is some Supreme Being out there (or in here). What I do know is that I don't need there to be one for me to realize the divine. Life is the divine. I'm scared of death for the simple fact that I just really love being alive.
This year, perhaps more than in years past, I took time to really enjoy moments as they happened, both the big ones (like saying "I do". Twice.) and the little ones (like making breakfast before she gets out of bed or writing this post right now).
Even in the hardest moments of the year, I found the nuggets of joy for myself and I tried to find the small things I could do to make them better for others. And did them.
I was most proud at the end of our wedding reception. It's the most love I have ever put into or received in my life. Second to that? Probably standing up for my new family on the other side of the world. Next? The moments when I thought to do someone a kindness or to share my own weaknesses and fears, heard the voice in my head that has often stopped me from doing so in the past (hoping to protect my heart from getting it's feelers hurt) and then did it anyway.
I did those things because I am alive. In this moment. And everything matters. And none of it's permanent.
And that's amazing.
Soundtrack to this post
- Holy Water - Gossip
- Holy Moly - Talib Kweli
- Holy Holy, etc. - Sufjan Stevens
- Lizstomania (Holy Ghost I love Paris Remix) - Phoenix
- O Holy Night - Al Green
- Holy Are You - David Axelrod