O LIVING always—always dying!
O the burials of me, past and present!
O me, while I stride ahead, material, visible, imperious as ever!
O me, what I was for years, now dead, (I lament not—I am content
O to disengage myself from those corpses of me, which I turn and look
at, where I cast them!
To pass on, (O living! always living!) and leave the corpses behind!
Listen to my Podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, Episode 112 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 112
In Episode 112 of “Journey from Grief to Healing,” we delve into a poignant personal experience that transformed my understanding of grief. Twenty years ago, while engrossed in my work at Starbucks, an unexpected visit from my elderly church friend, Nick, led to a profound conversation about loss and sorrow. Nick, mourning the anniversary of his wife Milly’s death, shared his enduring pain and the ongoing connection he felt with her, despite her absence. His raw, heartfelt revelations about grief challenged my initial impatience and taught me that sorrow has no timeline.
Nick’s words and presence illuminated the importance of listening over offering advice, highlighting the value of simply being there for someone in their time of need. His story and the lessons it carried stayed with me, influencing my perspective on the human experience of suffering and healing. This episode reflects on the wisdom found in unexpected places and the transformative power of empathy and presence.
Additionally, we explore the works of poets Edna St. Vincent Millay and Matsuo Basho, who eloquently express the nature of grief and acceptance. Their verses underscore the idea that suffering, like rain, is an intrinsic part of life, shaping us in ways that foster growth and resilience. Join us as we navigate these insights and continue our journey from grief to healing.
If you’re a smoker, but not yet middle age, let this be your wakeup call: A 2002 report from the American Journal of Public Health suggests that roughly 90 percent of the increased mortality risk associated with smoking cigarettes can be stopped if a smoker quits before the age of 35. Past middle age and still hooked? You can still reap the benefits of increased longevity by quitting today.
I like to hang out with people who are still dreaming. It doesn’t matter their age. What matters is the size of their dreams and their passion to keep chasing their dreams. These folks haven’t pulled the shades, pulled covers over their head, or think about dying. They think about living. They think about the adventures ahead of them. If they realize they can’t catch their dream, that’s no problem. They take a momentary break, grab hold of another dream and set out again.
Never be satisfied, keep learning, keep growing. It works in all parts of our lives: relationships, work, health, and our spiritual life. We’re either growing or decaying. It’s an easy choice, keep growing.
Our ears are a wonderful gift. We hear the sounds of our world through our ears. We hear birds singing. We hear the wind blowing through the trees. We hear waves crashing on the seashore. We hear someone tell us us, ‘I love you.’ We hear the roar of a crowd when our team wins. We hear the stories of an aging parent. We hear the last words of a loved one dying. Our ears are a special gift.
