The important sh**

So what is it with you? And me, for that matter. How often do we prioritize, and then act upon those priorities? Not the easy shit...I have to go to the store, drop off some stuff at the dry-cleaners, etc. I'm speaking of the hard stuff. The stuff we give lip service to, then claim we "forgot" or just "got too busy".

Must have been that last trip to Wendy's that screwed us up.

Did you say "happy fathers day" to your dad, or remember him in a kind way if he's already left us? How about the kids? When was the last time you were so mad at them you wanted to throttle their existence, but instead took 10 deep breaths and let it go? I know it's been a while since I have.

Held a door for someone lately? I did so for an elderly person the other day, and he said to me, "Thank you for being so thoughtful." I said he was welcome, of course, then walked away thinking the reason he was so appreciative is because it probably doesn't happen as often as it should - which when you think about it - "should" equates to "every" time.

The other night I shut off the tv, put away the MP3 player, and walked the dog. In silence. The only sound being him sniffing the grass. I sat down on a curb, and was amazed how he came over and sat right down tight with me. The loyalty of a good dog is so far beyond the loyalty of one human to another, it's damn frightening. In any event, I sat there and listened to the silence. And enjoyed the hell out of it. Man oh man, silence is wonderful sometimes.

My back hurts every day. The Army gives me a 10% disability because of years of pounding on my spinal chord and back muscles has left me in perpetual pain. My left heel hurts so badly each morning I can't walk for 2 minutes. I have some sort of pain shooting from my armpit down my arm to my elbow now and then, making it hard to raise my limb above my head. But you know what? It's ok. If I didn't have the pain, I would be dead, so the alternative is acceptable. And I'm not hungry.

Or poor.

When was the last time you did something unannounced for a friend or loved one, just to cheer them up? Think it's not that big a deal? Think again. I used to be a "Big Picture" guy, and I was wrong.

Life is details.

Millions and millions of details spread over the better part of a century if you're one of the lucky ones. Miss a detail, and someone is disappointed in you.

Do you worry about that? Someone being disappointed in you? 95% of you will say "yes", but I know some of you are lying. Some of you don't care, and are kidding yourself into thinking you're not in that 5% that at least is honest about it.

I guess what I'm saying is, isn't it high time for a gesture that needs no return? Be kind today. Lower your head and privately thank a soldier, a cop, a firefighter, or a nurse for what they do. Say "hi" as you pass someone in the mall, and make eye-contact while you do it. Throw some loose change in the homeless guy's basket, and stop fretting about what he spends it on. If I was homeless, I'd be getting as bombed on Boone's Farm as I could every day too. Somebody cuts you off on the road, let it go. You see someone with 13 eyebrow piercings and a green mohawk, don't be judgemental. You hear someone saying something stupid on TV, shut the damn thing off.

And enjoy the silence.

Peace.