Contributor Post Created with Sketch. Recommended by Ricochet Members Created with Sketch. The Sunshine of My Life

Susan Quinn
By Susan Quinn
Susan Quinn Contributor
Retired consultant, avid biography reader and meditator
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43 COMMENTS
 

“The sun of real happiness shines in your life when you start to cherish others.” — Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

When I think of summer, I experience a restorative state of mind: easy days, dazzling sunlight, leafy trees, blooming flowers and cheerful moments. I think of a bright, yellow sun, bathing the skies and shooing the clouds away. A sunny day lifts me up, even when things might not be going well.

When we are not blessed with sunlight, however, it might be easy to let the clouds drift in. Before we know it, shadows linger nearby, visions narrow and loneliness sets in. But if we are wise, we remember that our lives are illuminated in the cloudy moments through our relationships with others. At those times when we feel most alone and not appreciated, the world looks dark. But when we cherish others, embrace the beauty and warmth of sharing our lives with friends, family and colleagues, the sun is always shining.

Thank you, Ricochet, for shining the sun into my life.

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  1. Eridemus Coolidge
    Eridemus

    I memorized these lines taped to a college roommate’s mirror from a longer poem and recalled them from time to time in dark patches:

    You have to believe the buds will blow,

    Believe in the grass in the days of snow.

    Ah, that’s the reason a bird can sing,

    On his darkest day he believes in Spring.

    Even living in a place with fairly tolerable winters, it’s good to see the tips of daffodils starting to break the soil this week. Good to know that human dramas don’t impress or impact the underlying patterns of nature (although our bulldozers might scar patches of it).

    • #31
    • February 9, 2018, at 7:27 AM PST
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  2. Hypatia Inactive
    Hypatia

    Awwww, I  love the sunshine too! Cuz then, a person can cast a loooong, dark shadow….

    • #32
    • February 9, 2018, at 7:35 AM PST
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  3. Ontheleftcoast Member
    Ontheleftcoast

    • #33
    • February 9, 2018, at 7:56 AM PST
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    • 1 like
  4. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    I hope it is the happiest of birthdays, George. God Bless you, too.

    Thanks very much, Susan!

    I just want to say that it has already been sweet…

    1. A Dear Friend of mine invited me for lunch tomorrow – her treat!
    2. A lady who was laid off, along with me, last year, called from Georgia to wish me well.
    3. And meeting you, and a few others on Ricochet, gives me hope that there are still some very nice, thoughtful people left in this – as Michael Medved puts it – Greatest Country On God’s Green Earth!
    • #34
    • February 9, 2018, at 8:20 AM PST
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  5. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    Post author

    Eridemus (View Comment):
    I memorized these lines taped to a college roommate’s mirror from a longer poem and recalled them from time to time in dark patches:

    You have to believe the buds will blow,

    Believe in the grass in the days of snow.

    Ah, that’s the reason a bird can sing,

    On his darkest day he believes in Spring.

    Even living in a place with fairly tolerable winters, it’s good to see the tips of daffodils starting to break the soil this week. Good to know that human dramas don’t impress or impact the underlying patterns of nature (although our bulldozers might scar patches of it).

    Lovely comment, @eridemus. It provides a sense of hope and re-birth. Thanks.

    • #35
    • February 9, 2018, at 9:11 AM PST
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  6. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    Post author

    For @mim526 :

    • #36
    • February 9, 2018, at 11:19 AM PST
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  7. Mim526 Member
    Mim526

    George Townsend (View Comment):
    This is beautifully stated, Susan. I am so happy for you, and your subline attitude. Today is my birthday, and you added to it by allowing me to read such a heartfelt post. God Bless You and Yours!

    Happy BD, @georgetownsend!

    • #37
    • February 9, 2018, at 11:39 AM PST
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    • 1 like
  8. Mim526 Member
    Mim526

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    For @mim526 :

    Yup, that’s the one, though I don’t remember the verses much. We’d sing the chorus and something that was maybe tedious would become fun to me.

    • #38
    • February 9, 2018, at 12:36 PM PST
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    • 1 like
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    Post author

    Mim526 (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    For @mim526 :

    Yup, that’s the one, though I don’t remember the verses much. We’d sing the chorus and something that was maybe tedious would become fun to me.

    I only remember the chorus. Jews don’t sing much about the devil. ;-)

    • #39
    • February 9, 2018, at 12:55 PM PST
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  10. Mim526 Member
    Mim526

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Mim526 (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    For @mim526 :

    Yup, that’s the one, though I don’t remember the verses much. We’d sing the chorus and something that was maybe tedious would become fun to me.

    I only remember the chorus. Jews don’t sing much about the devil. ;-)

    Mama and Grammy weren’t given to advertising him either. True story: a young minister at my grandma’s church once asked her what she thought of his message. She replied that she thought the pastor gave a fine sermon, but there was enough evidence of the devil at work that it didn’t need broadcast freely from the pulpit :-) As the story goes, the pastor started a series on the beatitudes the following Sunday LOL.

    • #40
    • February 9, 2018, at 1:18 PM PST
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  11. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    Post author

    Mim526 (View Comment):
    As the story goes, the pastor started a series on the beatitudes the following Sunday LOL.

    Good for him!! That day, Grammy was speaking for the Lord.

    • #41
    • February 9, 2018, at 1:48 PM PST
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  12. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    For @mim526 :

    Even though this was not meant for me, it is quite a gift. You are so sweet, Susan. Thanks!

    • #42
    • February 9, 2018, at 2:02 PM PST
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  13. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    Post author

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):
    For @mim526 :

    Even though this was not meant for me, it is quite a gift. You are so sweet, Susan. Thanks!

    As are you, George. Thanks.

    • #43
    • February 9, 2018, at 2:52 PM PST
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    • 2 likes

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