Tentatively Hive Free

But I'm not going to jinx it by bragging.


A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine asked for help. We're not very close. We've known each other since... 1988, I think, but after high school went our separate ways and probably never really thought we'd cross paths again. (especially since I'd decided I was NEVER EVER coming back to Austin - heh) In the past year we've struck up a mostly FaceBook friendship. When she asked for help, I offered to pitch in without hesitation. It came up in conversation that not everyone is so easily pursuaded to help out when friends are in need - not even close friends; not even family. She was really touched that I took time to help, and that made me really really happy. She's going through a rough time, and just a little bit of help can go a long way when you're struggling.

So, what that made me think about what this: I am overwhelmingly blessed in my life.

I have a wonderful family. If I told my mother that I needed her to drive 8 hours to come hold my hand, she would find a way to do it. She wouldn't even let me know if it was a hardship for her, and she would do it with every ounce of love in her being. The rest of my family is no exception.

I have amazing friends. They are kind, intelligent and interesting, and they know how to deliver compliments without sounding pandering and constructive criticism without hurting.

I have Philip. I don't know if I could really say in words what that means... he is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. I'm not gonna get all mushy on you.

I have a stable job that allows me to complain about how boring it is and pay my bills and make decisions about my finances and my future that will help me advance.

I'm healthy (if a little hivey), and relatively sane.

I live in a society that affords me access to clean water, mostly clean air and an abundance of fresh foods. (Also, can I say that I love having indoor plumbing?? I haven't lived without it since I was a kid, but sometimes I just think about how awesomely convenient it is.)

I live in a safe city/neighborhood.

I am educated.

I seriously could go on & on, enumerating the many reasons that my life is awesome. I believe that it is important to pay that good fortune forward. I try to be kind to other people, and to be compassionate. Everybody has pitfalls and shitty days and makes mistakes. Sometimes, they just need to be reminded that there are kind people in this world. I also try to pitch in when I can to help someone out. And I try to be very aware of my limits and boundaries, so that I can do this without feeling like I'm being taken advantage of.

Oh, I have my petty, shitty days, when I'm focused on the negative and I think people are assholes. And sometimes a small kindness reminds me that there are awesome people out there, and that a lot of them are in my life, and what a lucky girl I am.

So I pay it forward.