Live life as if it’s eternal

Wouldn’t it be something if a moral revival began in our lifetimes? Important books would emerge, leaders would speak sense, marches and crusades would empower the downtrodden. Music would sing the praises of virtue, equity would grow, people would trust more, smile more, engage more and love more and deeper.

Families would empower society, the enemy would be recognized as being the man in the mirror, generations would talk, share and pass along those best parts of all of us. Good news, true news, worthwhile news would enliven conversation and show us the folly of so many dumb ideas. A bomb to end all life doesn’t really make sense.

Scientists would stop counting the number of times a hummingbird’s wings flap. The intelligent among us would invent upbeat strategies that bring people together like a new and improved marshmallow or a triangular waffle.

Each day we would think of three good things and find our dreams were better. Your neighbor would tell you something good each day. You would remind yourself about something good about you. Each of us would savor the simple things in life. Each would remember what is precious.

Those crazy, random acts of kindness would be practiced.

One camera would be shut off. One cuss word left unsaid. One sneer abated. An unkind word would be stifled.

A laugh would be shared. A view of the sky given to a child unable to see above the tall shoulders.

Sure, it’s not our job to make each other happy. But can’t we improve our own joy and share it?

Happiness is contagious. Wouldn’t it be neat if you could find more upbeat people and you were one of them?

Of course, it’s not our fault when someone is unhappy, but you won’t get hurt by doing a good deed. Don’t they return?

And, guessing it’s true that unhappy people look for a reason to be grim, still, you don’t have to be a target. Why not shoot a few laughs in that direction, why not listen for a minute longer, why not share your happiness?

Isn’t their negativity often innocent, a sort of sublime ignorance? Being negative is, after all, a weight of depression, not easily shaken. Steer someone in the other direction.

Success is a companion of your own self worth. Choice concerns attitude. Choose your attitude. No one can make it for you.

Often, doesn’t it make sense to see your true self as being upbeat? Adapt to change. Seasons change. You can too.

Wouldn’t it be neat if cooperation grew, if interconnectedness mattered … we’re all interdependent.

Live life now. Live as if this moment is all you have. Live it as if it’s eternal.

Tim Trenkle lives in Dubuque and has been an instructor in Iowa community colleges.