Live Life Fully… This IS our Gift to the Universe

Dear Reader:

We are a goal-driven society. By an early age we have been immersed in the societal programmed ideology that there are certain paths in life that we should follow.

It all begins with the word ” resume.” We should strive to achieve good grades, participate in diversified activities, get a college education, marry well, and become a master at multitasking.

Anything less… like detouring off the tried and true path, writing for one’s own enjoyment rather than acclaim and money, missing a step on the corporate ladder … resulting in a fall… are , well, just simply unacceptable!

Not only unacceptable… but the whispered ” Tsk-Tsk’s” ( shame on you) become louder with time. In society’s opinion our voluntary withdrawal from the ” Land of High Expectations” will result in landing in the dark, shadowy woods where we are sure to fall prey to “bears and tigers and lions… oh my! “

If our lives are grounded in the life of the spirit, and not materialism and fame… then the only success that matters (with any hope of a lasting legacy) is sharing life’s secrets ( the important ones we have learned through living life) with others.

*** ( That is not to say I wouldn’t be happy to win a literary prize but I think my best ” shot” at it would be in the category of longevity…

( My introduction sounding something like this…)

” Sometimes her writings weren’t that great but that ole’ gal just kept at it-sharing the mundane of life in her search for the heavenly while , surprisingly, discovering that within the mundane boundaries of the universe lies the true meaning of spiritual or heavenly one.”

So until tomorrow-my epitaph-“She Loved Her Life”

Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Hope in the form of new life on a new branch of the Confederate Rose

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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4 Responses to Live Life Fully… This IS our Gift to the Universe

  1. Sis Kinney says:

    Hi Becky,
    I LOVED your “epitaph” and your “introductory speech.” Sounds like you!
    I’ve been so busy lately that I was about 8 days behind in reading your blog. To go back to some of them: my youngest grandson (6) is also enamored with Minecraft. My daughter made him a “creeper” from Minecraft out of boxes that were painted mostly green, with the face similar to the one in your pic. I’m clueless to that, too.
    AND – I knew Karen White was writing “another” book in the Tradd series, but didn’t realize a) that it was already published, or b) that it was the last one. I MUST get to the library! Had never heard of the charm chain either.
    Also, I’m still working on our landscaping and what to put in where and would really like to get both a Mr. Lincoln rose bush and a Confederate rose bush. Time will tell.
    Never heard the story of the red egg. Thanks for sharing!
    Stay well – and WARM! Glad your HVAC got replaced in time!
    Much love sweet friend!
    Sis

    • Becky Dingle says:

      So happy to hear from you Sis!!! Doesn’t it go to show that the common everyday observations in our lives are the memories that will outlast the benchmarks in our lives?

  2. Rachel Edwards says:

    We are thankful for your life ….so very much.

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