Saying Yes To Our Lives

Wow! What a concise and clear explanation of acceptance of life "as it is", without the habitual conditioning of what "could be" or "should be" or "would be". Such acceptance allows one to live more in the present moment, without being influenced by memories and regrets about the past and anxieties and expectations about the future. That, then enables one "to show up for life with grace, kindness, a sense of humour, curiosity and a willingness to not have all the answers, with reverence for life", and with faith that "what is" and "what will be" is going to be for the greater good of all. A personal story where I showed up in this way for a consistent period was during my mother's last year of life after she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Having taken a break from work I spent time focusing on her needs, hospital trips, learning from other cancer patients, taking her to Germany for alternative treatment as she was too weak to receive chemotherapy, etc. It was a trying time and acceptance seemed to be the only option to allow me to open my heart to whatever was yet to come. When she passed, I consoled myself by remembering that there is a divine plan that is unfolding, though the time and lessons are hard to face, I have to play my part to the best of my ability. My deep gratitude everyone that has made this sharing possible. Hide full comment

Time Everyone tells me I'll be just fine. It's going to take a little bit of time. To heal from a loss that is felt so deep. A loved one I wanted to hold and Keep. I tried my hardest to heal her wounds. But my heart saw her leaving soon. As much as I wanted to deny life's way. I saw the truth each passing day. Strength of her love was revealed. As she struggled against God's heavenly reel. Giving us time to say good bye. This gift she offered before she died. Precious moments, treasured times. Forever etched in my heart and mind. How will I cope with this loss of mine? Again I hear with a little bit of time. Her voice I miss hearing on the phone. When she called me when I got home. Her loving way in saying hi. Sharing her day asking about mine. The missing is hard and painful for me. My heart cries in a never ending plea. To touch her hand and feel her kiss. To hear I Love You from her lips. I sense her hand upon me now. Reciting a loving verse and vow. My body died my soul is here. Just close your eyes and I am there. Many gifts are offered to you. Just have the faith I have in you. Please know that I am but a thought away. Loving you always each and everyday. I am happy in God's living grace. In this most beautiful heavenly place. As they said in time you'll heal. Live your life with truth and zeal. I always listened to my mother's wise words. On this very day her voice was heard. As I fall off to sleep I hear a chime. It's going to take a little bit of time. Kathaleen M. Wilson 7-26-01 Hide full comment

Wow!!!! I love this piece. I will respond with a couple of my poems- Foolishness is my superpower! I no longer condone boundaries walling off love, joy, or grief. Hiding for life times was no fun. The call to Dance was a line thrown to this drowning man. I was not careful at all piecing together my crazy quilt cap that I am proud to display along with the emperor’s new threads. Any street corner you can glimpse me waltzing or doing the tango. And I need no concert hall or even a barbershop to croon my healing heartsong. Wandering griot on hieronymous honey moon, no shame riding into the village sitting backwards on a donkey spouting love songs to the mother of us all. Sure, I sat on that hill perfectly still foolishly praying That if we can learn to live together as fools we might not perish as brothers and sisters. ----- YAWNING SAINT I once had a following. I was known as the yawning saint. once seen, I inspired crowds to relax and oxygenate their brains. after a few years, we all drifted off. I was a well known and well- loved performer. People who heard me sing said that they heard several harmonies just from my solo voice. There was a high part like a sea of crickets, a low rhythmic sonority like the sea itself, and melodies reminiscent of a million song birds in the dawn chorus. Eventually, everyone went out to view the earth moving toward the morning bathed in bird song, walked on the shores and wandered into the fields and trees to sleep and hear the crickets themselves. And I was left All alone once again. ------ There was Some Thing There was something that discovered something that wanted somethings. It got somethings it wanted and not others. It began to believe that it could not get everything it wanted, that it was not good enough, that something was wrong with it. It lived anyway until it remembered that it was no thing and had all it ever needed! Hide full comment

While reading this reflective and contemplative article by Mirabai Starr many VOWS passed through my mind and heart. Life is full of wonderment. Keeping my mind open, curious and nonjudgemental I see the inner world and the outer world naturally changing full of surprises and wonderment. Reading, hearing and reflecting on what I see, I experience wonderment of the phenomenal world. It is a changing world in shape, form, size and colors. There is something unchanging. What is that unchanging? Is there something unchanging? If so, what is that? I get a glimpse of light. There is something which is unchanging. What is that? Truth, love, kindness, empathy and compassion. It is Divinity. Divinity is our True Self. The body takes birth. It is born, it is sustained and when time comes it passes away. That is the REAL. That is the TRUTH. My father often used to tell us in Sanskrit: Satyam vada. Dhrmam chara. Satyan na pramaditavyam. Kushalan na pramaditavyam. Follow the TRUTH. Walk on the Path of TRUTH. I feel deeply grateful to my father for showing me how to live in this world. Namaste. Jagdish P Dave Hide full comment