5. At any given moment, the universe is giving me the best results possible. I will concentrate today on the gifts in my life. Right here, right now, with three inches of snow on the ground, when I yearn for warmth and flowers, is the best possible place for me to be. Right here, right now, in complete solitude, when I long for someone to share my life with, is the best possible place for me to be.
Gifts surround me ... some would be among my first choices in the Gift Store of Life ... others sit on the bottom shelf, out of sight, and then jump into my shopping cart and refuse to be pushed aside even when I try to politely tell them I don't want them or can't afford them. They're there demanding that I learn from them. Not only learn from them but count them as true gifts, gifts I didn't have sense enough to know I wanted or needed.
The gift of solitude is pretty easy ... it's one I asked for over the years. Not that I wanted quite so much of it. But, it is a true gift, long, slow days of quiet where I can move from one bright toy to the next, following the drift of my attention with few deadlines or requirements. Slowly, piece by piece, I am assembling a more complete picture of myself. It's like a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle with no picture on the box and hundreds of pieces still missing. What will I be when the puzzle is complete? What a gift this self-indulgent journey is. And, how lovely it will be when new pieces of the relationship aspect of the picture fall into place and a balance between solitude and deep connection is reached.
The gift of snow is a little more challenging ... I don't think I asked for it. But, if it is part of the best results possible, then it must be a gift. Its beauty is undeniable. Snow highlights the blackened branches on the trees outside my bedroom window and muffles the sounds of cars inching down the white streets. Is it simply the gift of variety? Another way of looking at beauty and saying this is all part of the world around me? Maybe just saying "thank you" for all forms of beauty is enough.
Today I will try to notice everything in my life and see it as a gift.
Excellent post, Joyce. I like that you used the word "solitude" and not "loneliness", which I think people confuse. Solitude indeed can be a great gift.
ReplyDeleteI read the other day a wonderful quote marking the distinction between the two words; if I can find it, I'll send it to you.
As for snow: I do agree it can be lovely, was lovely as it was falling. It's just that we still have 6 feet of it on the ground and we're almost into March. I'm trying my best to see that as a gift. I'll feel better when I can walk out the front door and not through the tunnel.
Joyce, this is a beautiful and thoughtful post. I love solitude. It is always a gift. Right now, like you, we have snow. But spring always follows winter. I only need patience.
ReplyDeleteAnd right now, I'm off to coach at Choices for the weekend -- it's busy and I love it. Not much time for solitude in this weekend. Lots of time for deep connection to hearts beating to the tune of life!
Lovely post.
Thank you.
Hugs
Louise