We each have our own story, the story of our lives, our worldview,  the story that we carry in our heads and share with the world.

I have a friend whose story is that life is bleak, and the world is coming apart. Not surprisingly, he has great difficulty showing his very good work to the world, he sees his goals and dreams as hopeless, even pointless. His story is that his work is never good enough.

My friend George Forss sees the world as a magical and beautiful place, despite the many sorrows he has encountered, he is determined to share the beauty of the earth with the world every day of his life. And he does. His story is that he is nothing but lucky.

I have a friend who dwells in the sadness and loss of her life, it  has haunted her imagination and stifled her creativity and joy. The story of her life is that it has been hard.

I have a friend who is severely handicapped, she is filled with laughter and compassion, is optimistic and filled with joy every day of her life. She loves her life. The story of her life is that she can’t wait to do all of the things she wants to do, and learns something new every day.

My friend Scott Carrino is overwhelmed with work and challenge sometimes, he never fails to inquire about the lives of everyone around him, he never gives up on making beautiful things, from food to music to maple syrup, he never speaks poorly of his life. His story is that life is rich and filled with meaning.

My wife and lover Maria has never once described her life as difficult, even though she has waded through a river of pain and fear. She is brimming with love, compassion and empathy. Her story is that she is living a creative life.

Some people see the world as disintegrating, others see it as a river of grief, they cling to their losses as if each was a red ruby, I know people who think the world is out to cheat and harry them, they are filled with suspicion and resentment.

I have changed my story many times in my life, more often than not it was about fear and loneliness and delusion. I am always putting my story together, editing it, changing it, wondering about it.

My story now is that life is filled with sorrows and joy, and my story is to participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. I cannot cure the world of sorrows, but I can chose to live in joy. My life is filled with riches, every day is another opportunity for me to love my partner, support my daughter, write my stories and books, take my photos, seek friendship and connection, search out the color and light and beauty in the world, listen to the animals who have healed and inspired me. My story is that I am a lucky man, eager to take advantage of the opportunity offered me for the rest of my life.

Loss and sorrow are the cousins of joy and love. I am grateful for both, this is what it means to be a human being. That’s my story.

I will not speak poorly of my life or my work, they might just hear me.