It's a mystery why life isn't fair.

She just couldn't stop bragging about herself and her life. The middle- aged woman carried on and on about how charmed her family's life was. I listened to her and confirmed to her how wonderful her life is. I don't know the woman's name, I met her early last month when I was sampling cookies at a market I work at. I'll refer to her as "Ms. JOY"

Ms. JOY and I started chatting about her cookie business  She was spending the summer away from her big family home in the city and summering at her lakeside cottage. Since her daughters are now at prestigious universities she has plenty of time to bake cookies at her summer cottage. Oh....I should mention that Ms. JOY is the ultimate cookie baker and has a special art of baking like nobody else. When she's not relaxing at the private beach, golfing at the country club, or on her yacht she likes to make cookies and sell them at the farmer's market for $2.00 each (for some pocket change).

Ms. JOY and her family have lived in several countries around the world (expenses paid) because her husband has "a very important job and makes lots of money." Ms, JOY is so proud of her amazing life. She doesn't really seem to care much about anybody else's. Why should she? She's too busy boasting about her own charmed life. 

Shortly after Ms. JOY finished talking to me and walked away with her high self esteem a man in a wheelchair appeared. He had a big smile on his face. I noticed he had only one leg and some of his fingers were missing on his left hand. I felt sad to see this but the man didn't seem to have any pity on himself. He greeted me with "Hello, how are you on this lovely day?" We chatted for a few minutes and he was so inspiring and terrific to talk to. I gave him an extra cookie as I tried to fight the tears and ask myself "Why is life so unfair?"

Perhaps because I'm so sensitive I have a hard time dealing with the unfairness of life. Yes, there are those that have worked very hard to accomplish what they have. They were determined, driven, and focused. Some had a supportive family and lots of money to help them along. However I know plenty of other people myself included that "paid their dues in life"and lived with integrity but for some reason the right opportunities in life didn't come their way and they do their best to get by day to day. How about the children who are diagnosed with cancer and have only a few months to live?  a stillborn baby that never had a chance to even have a day of life? What about abusive relationships, family conflicts, lack of funds? There are those that truly suffer and that's why I conclude that "IT'S A MYSTERY WHY LIFE ISN"T FAIR.

In moments when we feel discouraged by life's obstacles it's important to count our blessings because even though life is filled with unfairness there are still things to be grateful for. Take moments everyday to find things to be thankful and grateful for like being able to hear and see, having shelter, food, and water, being able to walk and talk. By finding things to be grateful for I find that my moments of dwelling on life "being unfair" makes me appreciate the blessings that life does have.

Eat a Brownie in the Moment!

I really envy the people that get a care-free summer. I had a few of them myself and I know how good it feels to free oneself from major responsibilities. Yesterday was one of those rare days that I had the almost perfect day. I had the day off and said "the heck with my piles of work, I'm having fun." With no planned itinerary I drove to a idyllic small town that felt like a dream; gingerbread cottages dotted along a crystal lake with a bicycle trail, a public beach with powdery sand, a lush green park with outdoor games, and a quaint Main Street with non pretentious shops and restaurants.

                                   Summer Fun on Crystal Lake!

The whole place was as sweet as summer lemonade. Strangers smiling and saying hello, the sound of church bells in the distance, a band playing music in the town square, and a cloudless blue sky up above.  People were enjoying life and taking advantage of the lovely summer day in late July.All my stresses were melting away as I rode my bicycle around the fairytale setting and took a swim in the tranquil waters where I could see the bottom crystal clear. There were more adventures ahead; blueberry picking, paddle boarding....but now it was time for a bit of lunch. So...to make things simple I went into a cafe to get a homemade potato salad and a made from scratch bagel.  A lot of carbs I know.....but I'm not dieting and we need carbs in our diet too. Now the ultimate splurge was a
decadent brownie inside a dream like cafe with dessert galore. What was I do choose? The BROWNIE oozing with chocolate and nuts won my heart.

Sitting under a shady tree facing CRYSTAL LAKE, I indulged in the moist brownie filled with walnuts and hints of coffee and thanked GOD for my glorious day.

If you like chocolate......
take some moments to EAT A BROWNIE.

     

The Miracle Shoes

TEN YEARS AGO:

I heard a story about two young African sisters who shared the same pair of shoes. Each would take turns walking barefoot to school and back so that the other could wear the shoes. The parents were just too poor to afford shoes for both daughters. Time went on.....then one day a wealthy American woman was visiting the village where the girls lived. By chance the three of them met and talked. This American woman was enchanted by the sweet girls and told them she would like to give them a gift.....whatever they felt would make them happy. She expected them to ask for something like a mobile phone but no....all these sisters asked for was a pair of shoes so that they wouldn't have to share the same pair anymore. The American woman was so humbled by their simple request that she said to them "Girls....I'm going to give you enough money so that each of you can afford a pair of shoes for the rest of your lives."

YESTERDAY:

I went to the shoe aisle at a store I work at to see if by chance the shoes I've wanted since early June were around. They were too expensive in early June and by early July there was a price reduction on them but all that was left were small sizes. However to my surprise one box was sitting off to the side and it was the shoes I loved in a size 8 (which is my shoe size) Sofie who worked in the department said "These are the very last pair left, somehow they ended up here. Check if they fit." The size 8 shoes (which is my shoe size) fit perfectly.....I felt like Cinderella.

To me this was a miracle. I stand all day on my feet at work, I bicycle and walk almost everywhere since I haven't owned a car in years. A pair of comfortable shoes for only $9.50 was truly a gift from the universe since I haven't been able to find a good pair of shoes in my budget for months. Sometimes.....it's the simple things in life, like a comfortable pair of shoes that can make a difference.

Just like those sisters in Africa I too felt blessed by a pair of:

MIRACLE SHOES!!