Let's Look at this MY Way by Jane Powell

In a brief lull between writing books, I thought I would rant about various stupid projects and Planning Commission idiocies that have gone mostly unremarked (by me, at least) over the past year. But I woke up this morning and decided to write something different.

I want to write about gratitude. Back when I was going through cancer treatment, people gave me a lot of books to read about people going through cancer. The people in the books were full of gratitude and talked about how cancer had allowed them to transform their lives, etc., etc. I basically thought this was a crock, and once, replying to a question about whether I would write a book about my experience, I replied that if I did, I was going to call it "Bernie Siegel is Full of Shit." (For those who don't know, Siegel is the author of a series of "inspiring" books about cancer). I am in no way grateful that I had cancer. But what I am grateful for is to be alive.

I sat in my living room this morning with my coffee. I turned on the Christmas tree. It was raining outside. I thought about how beautiful my house is, and how grateful I am that through some miracle I came to own it. I thought about last night, when one of my housemates lit the candles for Hannukah, and then the three of us sat and talked about life.

I thought about my family, and how grateful I am that we have remained close, unlike so many other families that I know. I thought of my cats, the furry loving beings that are constantly with me. I looked out in my backyard, and the tree dahlia is blooming, another miracle of California in winter. I am grateful for my friends, who are numerous, and who fill my life with joy, sadness, and laughter. I am grateful that Jeannette has come through surgery so that she can continue to be a thorn in the side of corrupt politicians.

I thought about Oakland, what a beautiful city it is, and how glad I am to live here. I thought of the view from Lakeside Drive in the evening, the Necklace of Lights reflected in the water. I thought of how even in the poorest neighborhoods of Oakland the houses are hung with lights against the winter darkness. I thought of the panorama of the bay, the city, and the bridges spread out before me whenever I emerge from the Caldecott Tunnel on my way back from the wilds of Contra Costa. We live in the most beautiful place on earth, and that is why we fight for it.

A friend sent me the following story. I think it sums up my gratitude as well as the OaklandNews attitude. Be sure to read the whole thing. And Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Festive Solstice, Bah Humbug, or whatever your sentiments happen to be.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into an old, dry well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw. As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed, as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

The Moral:

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is to shake it off and take a step up.

Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred

2. Free your mind from worries

3. Live simply

4. Give more

5. Expect less

O.K., now enough of that.

The donkey later came back, caught the farmer out in the field and kicked the shit out of him. Then he went over to each of his neighbor's farms and kicked the shit out of them too for helping.

The REAL Moral:

When you try to cover your Ass, it always comes back to get you.