Disguise

Turning 31 over a week ago apparently didn't bring gaydeath this year either...

Instead, turning 31 brought me reasons why I should be thankful.

I couldn't have asked for more... a BBQ celebration with family and friends, a dinner celebration with family, a getaway trip with someone dear, and a bunch of gifts from people so dear in my life. I thank God for having you all in my life. It just wouldn't be the same without you guys. My friends even remembered to store the ice cream cake in the freezer this year!!

The blessings continue to flow in day after day... perhaps I've learned to look for the "angels in disguise"... I've recently "met" a few good people online and even have a doctor stalker on my trail.

This birthday was also special because I've never been sent songs on my birthday before. The first song I received was "The Rose" by Bette Midler. The lyrics were scribbled all over the gift wrap of my iPod, to remind me of what love is and what love means. As a promise, I did purchase and download "The Rose" as my first song for my iPod. Thank you for the reminder. :)

The second song was sent by Dr. Stalker, "The Birthday Song", by Corrinne May and the third song was "Angel in Disguise", also by Corrinne May and was also sent by Dr. Stalker.

"The Birthday Song" has very special lyrics and is sung in a very peaceful manner. I listened to it until I fell asleep two nights ago. My favorite part goes...

"...
So light a candle on your cake
For every smile you've helped create
For every heart and every soul
You've known to grow a little more
A few more pounds, a little more grey
Don't count the years just count the way
It takes a little time to go from water into wine
Don't ever lose the wonder of the child within your eyes
..."

aaahhh... the words are simple yet hits the spot.

"Angel in Disguise" is another special song, also sung in a peaceful angelic manner. When I read the lyrics to this song and heard part of it at work, I just had to blog about it. It reminds me of someone dear in Cali.

We had a short talk regarding the life-style here in NY versus in Cali. He often finds NY'ers rude and unforgiving. He manages to point out every aspect of NY life that goes wrong and finds little fault in the Cali life-style... so it seems this way. After our little bedtime talk, I started to pay more attention to our NY rudeness for the past few days... I've encountered some, but largely I've encountered kindness and goodwill. Perhaps it's because I want it that way. Instead of waiting for the smile, I smiled first. Instead of waiting for the "thank you", I said it first. Instead of seeing the ugly, I chose to pullout the inner beauty of a stranger by showing her mine.

I gave up my seat on the train in exchange for a "thank you". I asked, "What floor?" in the elevator in exchange for "17, Thank you and have a great day." I nodded "Hello" and smiled at a stranger in the hallways in exchange for a smile that said, "Hi. Enjoy your lunch." I said, "How's it going?", in exchange for a nod of the head.

My point is, we sometimes need to be proactive in helping others to show kindness. But, most of all, we need to acknowledge that "angel in disguise". We often overlook those special moments in life that help make life more livable and enjoyable. These special moments, no matter how small, can snowball into something bigger. Perhaps if we all smiled a little more, the day will be brighter.

"...
Take a look at the ordinary
Don't need to look at Paradise
You could be next to
an angel in disguise
...
Everyday can be legendary
Every minute, an endless surprise
You could be the next angel in disguise
..."

Let our inner beauty be worn on our sleeves. Show it off with glee. Be kind to others and others will be kind to you. Never let rudeness permeate you... and with these words I end this blog, may you offer kindness on this day, for you are an angel, now on his way...

Peace and with much love to all...