Painting? Thinking? Moving on . . .
Yesterday I said that the list of things that I want and the list of things I have are the same list. Here’s the list, at least in partial:
A wife and companion whom I love and who loves me…
Friends…
Family…
Health…
Relationship with God…
Peace with self…
A house and grounds—for shelter, comfort, hospitality, entertainment, and self-expression…
An occupation that I enjoy—that satisfies me, fills my hours, and offers continual challenge for growth…
A means for ongoing income, and even occasional “jumps” in income…
A regular opportunity for teaching, occasional lecturing, pulpit speaking, etc….
Occasional mentoring…
An avenue for writing, expressing ideas, developing that craft—and getting feedback (thank you)…
Access to the whole world’s library for my reading, intellectual growth, curiosity…
A small community of friends with whom to meet regularly, enjoyably, and meaningfully…
One best friend with whom to share all thoughts, always accepted, regularly, weekly, year after year…
A great son, great daughters, great spouses of each, and many grandchildren…
Freedom—by virtue of living in America, California in particular, and southern California especially…
Life in surroundings with pleasant weather and beauty—with hills, trees, and ocean all at hand…
A garden…
A studio—with all equipment, and for Anne, same, and shared…
Freedom of schedule—to wake and make my own decisions what I would do that day…
A church—for nurture, contribution, and wider society of more-or-less like-minded people…
Two great cars, paid for, and good roads…
Freedom, time, and wherewithal to travel to any destination that appeals to the two of us…
A life-style of trips to interesting places to stay in for awhile, get to know, and make art…
An ongoing purpose to provide any aid within family, for parents and children, when appropriate and as necessary…
Same with friends…
Music—any kind accessible any time…
Information—also all accessible (what with Internet)…
A busy life, which as I’ve said, is a gift…
Our possessions, which we enjoy and which in part describe us, but do not hold us and are not our meaning…
To summarize, there’s nothing I can think of that I want that is beyond my having.
I don’t want that much.
I’m rediscovering Jesus and the immensely deepenable life that is available through mediation on his.
All this seems plenty enough for now and the years to come.
I’m grateful.
(And that’s another thing.)
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
8:21 am
It is humbling to think about how many people are desperately praying at this moment for the things we can easily take for granted. Thanks as always, Hyatt.
8:37 am
Thanks, Scott. Financial planner that you are, you’d be aware of these things.
9:10 am
If our culture realized that the promise of “Lose your life for my sake and you’ll gain it” looks like this, Hyatt, people would be climbing in through the roofs of filled churches nationwide. Heaven’s not that far, and your contentment and joy is a mere shadow of what’s ahead.
9:47 am
I love your list. Mine is similarly humble and rich. You are part of that list. Our remodel may never finish, but since that is a metaphor for growth in Christ, it’s on the list, too. I love God’s “meantime work.”
10:09 am
Thanks. I should have added “the family from which I come,” of which you are one of the stars.
12:38 pm
Dear Hyatt & Anne,
What a blessing… and what a life you have lived and continue to live, by God’s grace… and what a life full and overflowing with richness and yes, meaning… and to be able to look back, reflect and realize that there is still more ahead, day by day, as our Lord enables. Thank you for candidly sharing with us in such a transparent style… wishing you both a wonderful season of celebrating the Light of the world! Terry & Patricia Lampel
9:52 pm
Beautiful! Could we just add less taxes to the list? Sorry if a little leftover bitterness from the elections is seeping through as January 1st and new increases are rapidly approaching.
8:53 am
Great list Hyatt! You forgot one that used to grace your office wall in Dallas.. “LAUGH!”
7:45 am
A great read for the morning. Although I am only 60, this gave me so much to think about my own pleasures and to know that they will only grow deeper in the next 9 years, a very satisfing thought.