Abbe’s Ruminations January 2025 Nothing is Everything
It’s taken a while for me to pull together a newsletter in January for lack of anything new to say.
Clouds and rain fill the first week of this new year and I’m awash with the effort .
Thankfully, words come easy but new thoughts are harder to find. And why is it that we seek wisdom in the new? Who dictates that the highs and the lows of our existence must be emphasized? When neither is one’s day to day reality. There is no need to impress.
In this lull of newness, I’m not willing to label my feelings. Asked if I’m bored, depressed, or upset, I shake my head.” No”, I say emphatically. “Life is good.”
As I walked my normal route today, down a step hill that curves around to mount another rise that challenges my thighs, a woman appears out of nowhere. She approaches as if I’m her best friend, for she sees me every day from her window. Today she ventured out. I listened to her worries, woes and fears. She joined my walk, needing to talk.
I realized that my norms, mundane as they seem, have value. Others are always there, and count on my routines. Her woes are more complex than most. She wasn’t seeking answers from me. She only wanted to walk my path to feel connected.
And then it hit me—that the lack of anything new–is perfect. It’s the antidote to stress. Just like deep breathing and giggling. Our walk was a release.
Too many thoughts, the effort to always achieve or impress with newness is counterproductive. I made this woman laugh with a silly joke. Asked if it is enough to “just be”. I answered that yes, I have two “Bs” in my name(ABBE), an abundance. I’m willing to share.
Nothing is everything, especially if laughter is added.
If you want to see more of my musings or my books, please visit my website at http://www.abberolnick.com
My books can be purchased here with a discount, at your local bookstore, or on line. Request at your library they can order too.
