So Far Away

A while back I was driving on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, and since I live in Florida, these types of days are easy to come by. I had just come from a store where I witnessed customers speaking angrily to sales associates and as I left, a car cut in front of me and zoomed off, but not before he gave me the finger. I have no idea what I did to offend him, maybe I wasn't speeding fast enough for his taste. Either way, I wasn't going to let these encounters ruin this beautiful Florida day.

As I drove, "So Far Away" by Carole King came on the radio and I sang along easily as the words never leave your brain of an incredible song. As I sang along with the lyrics I was taken back to an earlier time, a time when things felt easier, a time when people seemed to get along better, a time when people treated one another with a kinder and more mindful heart. And I began to long for the good ole days...the kind of days that we used to make fun of our parents when they brought up their good ole days. But I found myself feeling melancholy for that life...simple, free, honest, and friendly. A time when people waved to each other rather than giving the finger. When people said good morning when they passed each other on the street rather than looking away or down at the ground. A time when customer service really meant customer service. I tried not to get caught up in the negativity of what was lost, but rather I focused on how we can get it back.

My mind wandered some more, and I thought of the current economic situation and recession and felt that after a recession comes a re-birth. New beginnings and a rebuilding of things that may have been lost. So, I looked at the good ole days as not being lost forever, but as in recession. So, I am here to ask all of you to end this recession and bring back the good ole days that are not "so far away." Next time you feel the urge to honk uncontrollably or give someone the finger, think for a moment before you do it and imagine that person as a family person and how you might feel if you saw someone mistreat your family member.

The next time you take a walk, make eye contact with the person walking toward you and give a smile and say good morning. They might be shocked but it might make them do it to the next person walking toward them. If you see someone struggling in whatever capacity, offer them help. The universe responds to this kind of behavior by giving it all back to you. So, even if you don't get it back right away, be patient because you will. Let's remember that we need to care for one another more, take care of one another more, and do more for one another. Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us, so put out all the good you can and watch it come back to you. Let's Get Busy Living and bring back the good ole days.

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