Vibrantly Alive Women » appreciation

Unfolding

Shawn — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:47:03 +0000

There will be something – anguish or elation – that is peculiar to this day alone. I rise from sleep and say: Hail to the morning! Come down to me, my beautiful unknown. – Jessica Powers

Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive – it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there? – L. M. Montgomery

Brimming over with enthusiasm feels so delightful – and a little frightening! As I am saying ‘yes’ to what is presented to me in this life, things seem to be unfolding more quickly, more surprisingly, more deliciously. When I am trying to keep up with everyone and everything else, I miss the joys of the simple unfolding. I want to relish the present and allow the unfolding to happen as it will, it will happen in perfect timing.

Becoming Kamala Over the last several years, I’ve thought of changing my...

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Welcoming emotions – The Guest House

Shawn — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:41:30 +0000

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~ Rumi ~

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Conversations with Greg – part one

Shawn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:41:29 +0000

So Greg left this world last week. Same day as Michael Jackson & Farrah. Very weird, for me, losing two icons from my youth and one of my contemporaries passing. That has stirred a lot for me. The preciousness of life. Death and what it might really mean or be like. Family.

Greg had become quite religious his last several years…I think he really loved his Lord and wanted to share that. Not all of us were so keen on listening to Greg, post-conversion. Conversations became awkward. And, as a result, they became further and further apart.

So just prior to one of the first “conversations” I had with Greg, after his passing, I was feeling a lot of regret for not being in better communication, basically since his first illness several years ago, we’ve had rare communications. My regret is, in part, that I lost out on hanging out more with Greg. As I’m trying to drop into my heart, to pray, to bring more light and peace to that sore spot, I felt Greg’s “presence” almost laughing at me, telling me to just drop that regret stuff…to take delight in the love of God I could feel when I thought of or felt Greg. Rather than mope in regret, what did I learn from it – being in communication with loved ones is important. I’ve left that by the wayside recently.

It’s been quite an experience of feeling that much “good stuff” being shared with someone who’s departed this world. My sense is of the Greg I knew and loved, being relieved of pain and being able to just beam love and caring down – or over – or however it works!

Just know that he feels a little like a guardian angel or wayshower. Nice. Prayer answered.

At his memorial one of his friends said that when she was undergoing chemotherapy, Greg collected some music for her, “including some obscure music…like “The Israelites.” That Greg would have had that song made me smile…it’s one I really liked as a teenager…it was really catchy then and still is…I’ve been humming “The Israelites” since the service last Thursday. I always liked it, but enough already!

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Honoring Greg Nelson

Shawn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:05:52 +0000

Today my sister and I are in Monroe, Washington with her son for a memorial service for Greg, my sister’s former husband and my nephew’s father. Yesterday we spent the majority of the day with Greg’s parents and sisters, looking at old photos and reminiscing about Greg and his life and our lives with him. I hadn’t seen Greg since he and my sister separated, but he always held a very special place in my heart. Over the last several years, he’d had several major health setbacks and late last week he passed. He was 53 years old. Coming together after a death is an interesting part of life, we each grieve differently and yet are gathering, opening our hearts to one another, sharing memories, sharing love.

I can feel Greg, released from his pain, his beautiful heart shining on all those he loved. His passing has brought us closer together, tenderized our hearts, made us even more grateful for the blessings we have – and for the blessing of having known and loved Greg. We love you, Greg, always. Thank you for loving us!

Unfolding There will be something – anguish or elation –...

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Fruitful existence

Shawn — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:41:04 +0000

“Whatever I choose, I want to be more expressive in all aspects of my life. I’m searching for a really vibrant and fruitful existence. I still believe that the journey, not the arrival, matters. To me, the quest is always more important than the accomplishment.”
– Anthony Hopkins

What does it take to develop that ability to recognize that the quest is more important than the accomplishment? One thing would definitely be to learn to really appreciate the steps along the way; to be able to appreciate the learning, whatever it may be.

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