Thanks for the purpose

This is by far the most dates I’ve missed in Thanksblogging. I blame the move/marathon/puppy/ also not being able to post photos on my blogging app anymore (boo).

I am about… 20 days behind on my posts 😂 and I truly believe that this November habit has made my holiday seasons and winters go better in past years. So I am going to do some thankful post blitzing today.

Along those lines, I have often thought of this quote by George Bernard Shaw which I ran across when Ida was a baby:

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no “brief candle” for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

The specific line that echoes in my head is “I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.” I am trying to be better at resting so that I have the energy to do all the things I want to do in life. I am grateful for a strong body and mind and the will to try so many things and to connect with my community and my family.