Aging, illness and death. We tend to avoid these topics, don't we? Yet, these are actually the powerful reminders to take the reins and live in the moment. They can lead to appreciation, gratitude, awareness, vitality. These charged reminders can lead us to take good care of our bodies, our health, our relationships, our livelihood right now.
I recently spent the past few weeks saying goodbye to my last surviving uncle and in the process was reminded of the power that resides in me.
Uncle George was 90 years old. He was a quiet, generous and self sufficient man. He didn't complain or feel sorry for himself during his recovery from many hospital stays and surgery, although he must have been in pain, uncomfortable, and lonely. He enjoyed simple things like homemade meals, visits with friends and family, caring for his cymbidium orchid collection, and keeping up with his sports teams, The Lakers and Dodgers.
During that farewell, I had the opportunity to visit with my "oldest" friend, Mamie who is 105 years old. Mamie is an example of how I aspire to age: she exudes positive energy, she has a sparkle in her eyes and brings laughter and smiles all around. Although she moves slow, every year I get to see and visit with her, I'm inspired by her positive outlook, her resilience, and her ability to keep moving forward. I imagine Mamie has been in pain too, lonely, and has faced what some would consider insurmountable challenges in her long life. Mamie is my bodhisattva today; an enlightened being. She's my teacher by being her true self and embracing the people around her with love. When you look into Mamie's eyes all moments are special and sacred. She has kind of, arrived. I feel lucky to be in her presence. Mamie makes me smile. The mere thought of her makes me feel soft and happy, at ease.
Have you noticed how often we spend time focused on feeling anxious, anguished, agitated? Bringing awareness to those feelings and recognizing them, notice we can make a choice. Choose to get carried away with negative thoughts or choose to care for and tend to the seeds of empathy, thoughtfulness, love, and understanding. I am taking a lesson from Uncle George and Mamie. I am working to take care and nurture my seeds of goodness, kindness, love and compassion.
It turns out 195 years of living teaches volumes.
