Living in a box

I'm realizing more and more each day how so many people, myself included, tend to live in our own little box. We have our own little family, our own little house, our group of family and friends, our possessions, and we don't tend to think much about people around us. We do that because its where we feel comfortable, but if you think about it, are we really that different than anyone else? So different that we shut others out of our lives, and walk/drive past someone who needs help?

We all think that WE are the best drivers and that everyone else is out to get us. We think that our own problems are the biggest and the worst, and that we are successful businessmen because of something we did on our own. We look at things other people do, and jump to criticize them because its not the way WE would do it. See a recurring theme here?

I'm finding that one of the best ways to find satisfaction and happiness in life doesn't involve a couch and a television. It involves picking up a phone, walking out the door, and meeting new people. The more people I get to know, the more stories I hear, and the more I realize how lucky I am to have a job, a nice rental, 2 cars, a beautiful family, and a sweet but troubled little dog. I remember one of the things I wanted to bless Ellie with more than anything, was to feel compassion and love for people around her who aren't as fortunate as she is.

We have great friends and family who are always stepping out of their little boxes, and I admire them for that. Joni and I think it would be nice to find a way at least once a month to do something positive for someone we don't necessarily know well. It seems that there are a lot of sad people out there and people struggling to get by that I know through work and my church calling, but I've felt stongly that I need to do something and I think this is it. We'll let you know how it goes and share our stories of our new friends, not to toot our own horns, but with hopes to inspire others in the way we've felt inspired.

Joni took some pictures this weekend of some random stuff around our neighborhood. She made a couple of friends (a horse, and some neighbors who were curious as to why a girl was taking pictures of their barn). We'll post a video or two of Ellie for the grandparents soon.