Gail's Blog

For Us There is Only the Trying

T.S. Eliot the Anglo American modernist poet wrote that. The rest of the line is “The rest is not our business”. So let’s try during this challenged period of the world to be kind to ourselves and others. The rest is not our business.

I am learning to be selective in what I read in the headlines, news reports etc. It is so hysterical and full of fear. It’s the great “what if?” What if I can’t pay this or that. What if the mud slide comes from the rain. What if the markets crash, my house loses value. What if I can never buy a house, have enough money to retire, get sick, fall down and break a hip, what if I lose my mind, my memory? What happens when I get old? What if I never can get out of student loan debt? What if I can’t see, catch covid, can’t drive. What if nobody cares? I could go on and on but you understand. We just continue to scare ourselves. Now we have Omnicron, maybe others too. But we can’t do anything but manage ourselves with the rest of humanity. So just for a day practice surrender this stuff. The best thing to do sometimes is nothing. The old AA prayer of granting me the courage to accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference is so helpful. Get that wisdom and hook it up to the Divine Wisdom. Now you are on a roll.

This past week a good friend in Tennessee sent me an email with a lovely story written by Elizabeth Gilbert. I get many notes forwarded to me but this one had a true essence to it. I think it is worth your time to read it. I believe she wrote this back in 2014 and it has been changed a little by those who pass it along. It is, however, still the same story.

“Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic wasn’t moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. 

Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.

But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. 

“Folks,” he said, “I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight, just leave them with me.

Oh, he was serious.

At the next stop, just as promised, the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up but everyone did it. The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.

We live in a hard world, my friends. Sometimes it is extra difficult to be a human being. 

Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. 

You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.

But what if you are the light? What if you are the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for? That’s what this bus driver taught me, that anyone can be the light, at any moment.

This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy influencer. He was a bus driver, one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit. 

When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name.

No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated, one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river.” Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert


14 responses to “For Us There is Only the Trying”

  1. Linda Trodlier says:

    Gail, what a beautiful message and came at a special time for all of us to reflect on. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year.

  2. DAVID WASSERMAN says:

    THANK YOU GAIL! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, COMFORTING AND BRINGS TEARS AND JOY!

    Beautifully written!

  3. Joan says:

    Beautiful and heartfelt. Thanks for shining your light in your way on all of us Gail. Deep bow to you.

  4. Kathryn Kompare says:

    Hi Gail.
    This brought tears to my eyes. We can all be that light.

  5. Norman R Berlat says:

    What a wonderful message to start 2022.
    Thanks,
    Norm

  6. So often it can sound trite to “live in the moment” or “practice random acts of kindness,” but this piece underscores the importance – and the sanity – of doing just that. Peace.

  7. Gail Minogue says:

    Thank you Yolanda. Birthing a new society for ourselves is a painful process. Each person, though, is a potential light being.

  8. Gail Minogue says:

    It’s a reflection of you. Thanks for commentig.

  9. Gail Minogue says:

    Wow, thank you JP. I appreciate your thoughts. Let’s all stay healthy.

  10. Gail Minogue says:

    Thank you Khelly. Great idea.

  11. dr khelly webb says:

    A few years ago i joined YouMatterMarathon.com
    To promote YOU MATTER! It’s now in 90 countries!
    We can make a difference just by giving a card that
    Says YOU MATTER. Pls join us.
    “I often say, “where ever i go, healing occurs.”
    U can share that one too.

  12. JP says:

    Gail,
    Thank you for this wonderful Christmas gift. Your posts are always a must read for me and I am so grateful to have “discovered” you.
    Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy & very Healthy New Year!
    Warmest Regards,
    JP

  13. Cindy says:

    You’re that Light, Gail.

  14. Yolanda Mendiveles says:

    Hello Gail,

    How beautiful a message. Yes, we must pay attention to ourselves and do our best. I whole-heartedly agree with you. Bless you and your family during these trying times.

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