Remember that saying about being careful what you wish for? In my excitement to ponder the mysteries of the universe with you, I didn’t specify what kinds of mysteries I wanted to think about. Like that tricky genie in a bottle, the universe gifted me the opportunity to think about mysteries I hadn’t intended to consider. I’ve spent the last week pondering the mysteries of PIP insurance coverage and total-loss declarations. Yes, friends and swimmers, I’ve had a car accident. I’m okay—everyone involved is alive and there were no catastrophic injuries. It was just very, very scary and my mind has spent an inordinate amount of time wondering about the mysteries of how and why everything happened exactly the way it did. I’ve spent my week considering different ineffable mysteries than the ones I had planned to wonder about. My sitting-around-and-thinking time has been diverted to sorting things out and as a result, I don’t have a researched position couched in fiction to present today. But I’m very much looking forward to writing one for next week.

In the meantime: today is my birthday! I really took this year out with a bang (I know, I know: bad pun. You have to indulge me, it’s my birthday!) Normally, I don’t do much to celebrate, but this year I wanted to have a Hobbit Birthday. (Hooray! I managed to incorporate fiction today afterall!) If you don’t know what I'm on about, Tolkien’s hobbits customarily give gifts to others on their birthday. I want to take the opportunity to celebrate with gratitude and do what I can to make the world a little better. I’ve planned all sorts of small surprises for people I’ll see today and for a few farther afield. I’ve read a lot about other people who have done this and the only part of this idea I don’t like is broadcasting everything I’m doing. I prefer to do things quietly and anonymously wherever possible, but that’s just me: introverted to my core. I don’t need any pats on the back—the only reason I bring up my Hobbit Birthday is that I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to invite my dear swimmers to get in on the fun.

If you'd like to celebrate with me, I invite you to donate to your favorite charity or one of mine: International Rescue Committee (92.92/100 rating at Charity Navigator). Almost 400,000 people are trapped in the midst of unspeakable violence and horror in Eastern Ghouta. They're in desperate need of food and medical attention. We can go here to do something about it as soon as a stable cease-fire is implemented. The UN is set to update the UN Security Council today regarding the implementation of Security Council resolution 2401, which demands a cease-fire that has yet to take place.1 

If money is tight, I super get it. I suddenly have to get new wheels I wasn’t anticipating, I hear you! If you still want to celebrate with me, please just do something randomly nice today. Kindness is free, and it creates courage and comfort:

"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid... and he gives me courage."2 (Gandalf, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey)

Join me in doing whatever is in your power today to make the world a little better, even if only for one person. Then give me the gift of leaving a comment below to let me know that you did something and/or what it was.

(And if you really insist on giving me a personal gift, I LOVE puns!)

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Notes:

Artwork: House https://pixabay.com/en/house-home-quirky-movie-hobbit-2616607/ by StockSnap https://pixabay.com/en/users/StockSnap-894430/ is licensed under CC0 Creative Commons.

1)      Wallström, Margot. “United Nations Security Council to Gather at Request of Sweden and Kuwait to Discuss Implementation of Resolution on the Humanitarian Situation in Syria.” Regeringskansliet, 9 Mar. 2018, www.government.se/statements/2018/03/security-council-to-gather-at-request-of-sweden-and-kuwait-to-discuss-implementation-of-resolution-on-the-humanitarian-situation-in-syria/.
2)     Jackson, Peter, director. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Warner Brothers, 2012.