A Zest for Life

Rita and Lawrence had a very special wedding with a Celtic theme and Celtic rituals. They each wore a tartan, they “tied the knot”, but literally, and drank their shared cup of wine out of a quache (pronounced “quake”). Here are the remarks I shared with them and their guests:

What most strikes me about Rita and Lawrence is the sense that these two individuals see life as an adventure. They truly love and enjoy life. They love learning, they love trying new things, and they love helping others. Their zest for life is infectious, and so they help others not only through explicit action, but just by being who they are. What is their secret? How did they become who they are, and how do they radiate positivity the way they do?

I believe that consciously or unconsciously, this is due to an explicit choice. You see, Rita and Lawrence, have both “been around the block” once or twice, so to speak. They have each had a few more challenges than the average person. They have each had to deal with a few more things in life, than would even seem fair. When that happens to a person, when life throws a person a few more curveballs than one might expect, there are really two choices you have. You can let life’s events drag you down. In fact, it is easy to do so. Beyond that, no one could blame you, and no one could judge you, if that is what happened.

That said, there is another choice, choice being the key word. You see, we can’t choose what happens to us, but we can choose how to relate to it. We can choose to say, “Wow, these challenges I have had motivate me to enjoy the good things in life, to enjoy people, and to help other people enjoy, even more than the average person does. In fact, because I have experienced suffering, I am going to grab the good that life offers me by the horns, and really take advantage of it.”

I believe that that is the choice Rita and Lawrence made, separately and as a couple. I believe that that is how and why they have such an inspiring zest for life, learning and helping others. So, Rita and Lawrence, what is it we wish for you? Well, that would be simple. Keep doing what you’re doing. Continue to enjoy all the things you do. Keep on radiating your positivity. Continue to brighten your surroundings, individually and together.