The Zen Of Life's Seasons

marcoujor

I have a dear nurse friend that I have kept in touch with over the  years. She has a beautiful habit of sending electronic cards to  celebrate all kinds of special occasions. She even will send a card to share a smile or a hug  or  to say she is thinking of me...

"Anne" sent me a card from Jacquie Lawson this past Sunday to celebrate the glorious first day of Autumn. If you have ever given or received one of these cards, they unfold before your eyes in an array  of colors, artistry and utter beauty. This card was ultimately  a  scene of flowers and fruit, which brought a feeling of  nostalgia  and whimsy to my heart. 


Perhaps even more lovely than the picture was the message written to me, and I would love to share that with  all of you  today:

---

Source: Kallini 2010

Dear Maria,

This card reminds me of the seasons of life. Most of us are in the autumn or winter part of our lives.  (0-20= Spring;  21-40= Summer; 41-60= Autumn; 61-80= Winter and 81+ is a Bonus...!)

This is a reminder that there is beauty in every season and we need to remain at  peace  with our stage. Embrace the beauty.

Love,

"Anne"

I am  living  in the age bracket of my very favorite season of the year.  I am in the Autumn of my life!

As I look back upon my life, I almost died in my Summer (37) and my dear Momma died in my Autumn (48).  I wrote about this in my recent posting in Compassion Corner:  To Forget, If For But A Moment.

This post has generated some of the most beautiful and sharing comments from some of you and that means the world. I also  received several e-mails from friends who were touched in some way by my words.

---

Miss Sammie and mar

One good friend wrote:  "Your Mom was proud of you, and she is still so alive in you. I bet you are feeling her crystallizing more and more in you, making  you stronger and more beautiful by the day."

And clearly my  friend knows  me very well.  I can actually feel Mom's wisdom entering at the  right time.  I have learned when to listen to others, instead of rushing in  with a ready-made solution.  Mom was amazing with this. As a result,  everyone shared their  burdens with her.  And she was a steel trap... you could trust Mom.

Mom always appeared serene to me. As I aged and she shared, I  knew she carried the burdens we all do in life.  She simply had a  way  of appearing peaceful and purposeful in her day to day  activities.

I am now getting rather used to folks telling me how  peaceful I am...oh heck, some of you know otherwise...LOL! I am thrilled that I am able to maintain a fair semblance of composure and tranquility as I conduct myself in my real  and virtual worlds.

I have learned so much in my Autumn years by taking  the time to listen, to observe and to be open to other viewpoints. I am  forever seeing that my problems pale in  comparison to those I care  about, people in general. I am forever reminded  that I have an  opportunity to help someone, even if by sharing some of my life  experiences.

I often refer to universality. The poetry that I am currently writing addresses the collective dark feelings that we all may have  had at some point along life's journey. Yet, no one's trauma or loss is any more severe than another's, namely mine.

And really, not to over-think it...and for the ZEN of it...we have a seasonal lifetime of  opportunities to change / recreate our lives, even one aspect.


Consider the Hindu proverb:

"There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading  to the same place, so it doesn't matter which path you take.  The only person wasting time is the one who runs around the mountain, telling 
everyone that his or her path is wrong."

So, in closing, dear friends and readers, today I wish you peace deep in your heart and soul. I know your  life is not likely perfect. I know mine isn't. Yet, we are so strong, capable and focused in our dreams and goals.

I am hoping that no matter what stressors you are facing, that you will be gentle and good to   yourself and those you love. I am not minimizing your worries but I hope you can leave them for periods of time each day to sleep, relax and take care of  yourself.

And I really hope you take some time to find joy and  happiness  in your peace. Please enjoy the beauty of Autumn...take a walk and hear the leaves under your feet.

Until next time, peace and  hugs,

 mar

---

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.  I can choose which it shall be.  Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.  I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." 


(Groucho Marx)