New Beginning

After a dreary period of damp, humidity, dark clouds, swamps of rain, blustery winds and a long threat of severe storms and possible tornadoes, the early spring of northern Illinois has happened. Maybe more of the same will re-occur but at least for yesterday and today the weather has dawned each morning bright, crisp and sunny. No rain. Maybe  a scudding cloud. But still the sun.  Precious and welcome. A chilled air remains but that soon will become hot in maybe a week or so! Spring here is short.

So too are the dramas we must endure within family and among friends. People in need of self expression and longing. Whether realistic or not, these expressions and longings will be said for many to hear, and lived out in actions bold if not futile! But they too will pass into the summer of our hope.

Alan Cohen gave us this gem: “Do what is healing to your spirit and without effort you will bring the world healing in return.”  Living your spirit’s drive freely will demonstrate its value to others to observe. And that will heal their hurts as well.

Good advice. Lovely thought well formed.

I sometimes marvel at how easy it really is to heal oneself from moments of pain. We have more resilience within than we give credit for. We are stronger than we think. We believe deeper than we sense. Letting these elements pour forth unhindered brings us to healing almost without planning.

And that’s when the greater magic happens! Our manner of healing is visible to others whether we know it or not. And they see healing at work. It may seem effortless or not, but healing nonethesame. It is that healing they may pine for and need to witness. It gives them hope. It begins their healing in some small way.

Living lives of authenticity gives power to others to do the same. That can be for good or ill; however, with the right commitment it will be for good.

I want to couple this theme with a quote I read the other day by Oscar Wilde:

            “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

I had to read this several times slowly and with changing emphasis to gather its full impact. Living is not existing; existing is not living. They are different from one another. To live is to fully embrace all of life’s experiences and sensations. It is an act of fulfillment. Done with integrity it expands the person without diminishing another person. It takes courage to explore and discover; but it is fun, exciting and worthwhile.

Most people exist: eat, breath, love/have sex, work. Maybe they hope. But fear normally cuts off their hope and their courage to live more fully. It becomes the norm. Sad but true.

Rather we should live as fully as we dare. It will fuel more daring and growth and fulfillment.

Being too private is another side of fear. It stifles discovery in ones own life. Worse, it denies your efforts from being viewed by others. Hence the two themes combine. Live life fully and share it in full light of day. Others will draw inspiration and hope from you. And they will live more fully and inspire yet others.

Maybe too optimistic? We can only try. Do try!

June 5, 2013