Reflections from a Wake: Embracing Positivity and Change

Several weeks ago now Gregg and I attended a wake. Wakes have a way of making you examine life as a whole. C. S. Lewis once said, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” While I do not fear death, there are things to grieve and fear besides death.

The person whose wake we attended was always very positive. Maya Angelou famously said, “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” Ricky was that for me many times. He balanced his life and work well; he liked what he did but that wasn’t all he lived for.

Spending time with older people can be painful when they list their ailments, physical or otherwise. It’s also difficult to be around people who always find the bad in everything. Albert Einstein wisely said, “Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution.” Similarly, Zig Ziglar noted, “Negative people will always try to drag you down. Surround yourself with those who lift you up.”

At the wake, I watched those I love, those around me, and those I hadn’t seen in years. It was amazing to see how people evoked different feelings in me. Some people are just light and make you feel good, while others are heavy and leave you feeling dragged down. Hans F. Hasen said, “People inspire you, or they drain you. Pick them wisely.” This is so true. I aspire to be the person that inspires and not drains.

Dolly Parton said, “If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” Life is too short to live for Friday and dread Monday. If you don’t like your job, change it. Don’t let that be a reason to weigh other people down. Life is too short.

Thank you for reading my reflections. Let’s strive to be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud and pave new roads if we need to.