Remember that lovely scene from “When Sally meets Harry,” where Sally goes into rapture and an elderly lady, looking on, makes this prosaic and now famous remark,

“I’ll have what she’s having.”

It wasn’t anything tangible or material the old lady envied, it was Sally’s unbridled joy.

But it was like wishing for the moon. Sally could not “give” her joy to another. The old lady would have to find her own.

I’m not jealous by nature and envy is a foreign concept. I’m as contented as a California cow with my lot in life. Of course I’d like to be 30 – 40 years younger; I’d like to wear a size 4; I’d like to speak 4 – 5 languages; I wish I didn’t have wonky joints and the ailments that come with aging; I wish I didn’t tire easily; I wish I still had the drive and energy I had even 10 years ago.

I wish I wish I wish. Is that envy? I don’t believe so. In any case,

“It ain’t gonna happen.”

So what do I have?

• Wisdom (not nearly enough);

• Peace of mind (most of the time);

• Acceptance of what life has dealt me (tough but why not me? God’s grace gets me through every time);

• Gratefulness (all the time.)

I’d come to realize, as I begrudgingly let go of my various fitness certifications, that I was now in a new place.

I should beware of harking back to what I once was when God wants me to be something I’ve never been (adapted from Oswald Chambers.)

Why do we so admire the Dalai Lama?  Or Sister Theresa?  Or Billy Graham?  Think of anyone dead or alive that you hold in high regard and ask –

Is it because of any material possessions?

No, we admire AND envy them for the peace they have/had found. The peace that passes all understanding. And I cannot give anyone the hard-won peace that is mine but I can hope and pray (and I do), that you search and find your own.

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” KJV