Light is creeping in as the doors that slammed shut last year open again. The breeze is starting to ruffle my hair.New things seem to fall into place as things do when I’m on the right path. Some opportunities have followed me home unexpectedly like sweet puppies follow children from school. I’m left wondering whether I should keep them. Some have come knocking at my door—friendly knocks, nice hello-ing, and some pounding, a little jarring. All of it, a bit uprooting from the dusty gloom that had become my norm. I think I’ve spent a year in mourning in what I thought was just rebuilding.
Steve Winwood, how he turns my head still, is singing to me of how I’ll be in the high life again. I’m not sure that I believe him, though I know I’ll not be down and out. This past year has left me with plenty to think on and about. I’m not sure that I believe him, but I’m sure I believe me.
What I learned last year is that everything works backwards from how I might have once thought.
I know for sure that the faster I want to run, the slower I should walk.
The less time I have for the ones I love, the more time I should take.
When I want to hold things tightest is when I should let go . . . so they can come back.
When I most want the light on me, I should let someone else go first.
When I want anything, I am best to give everything away.
When I feel righteous, I am always wrong.
The world does not need me to make it work right.
It’s not good to be a victim, yet the best way win myself is to surrender what I think makes me special.
There is no such thing as enough gratitude, but you can be too needy.
Forgiveness, compassion, truth, and love are freeing. They make my hands open, not into fists.
Everybody cries, but not everybody cares.
Everybody yearns for things, wants to look forward to something, and needs a place to stand.
Everybody gets lost sometimes, but most of us find our way home.
What I learned this year is . . .
There still are angels everywhere and wishes still do come true.
Life is about what things are worth, not what they cost.
—me strauss Letting me be
22 comments:
Oh Liz, sometimes I think fridges were made so we would all have a place to post writing like this. That we can store food and drink in them is just an added bonus. :-)
Get your wish catching net ready. I think they're floating our way. :-)
Thank you dear friend, Tree,
You know just the right thing to say and just the right way to say. But how you type while riding that bike still has me amazed.
:)
Liz
Gee, Liz.
You sure have a gift for paying attention to life. Thanks for listening so closely, and then sharing what you learn with us. It helps me to notice things, too. I agree with Tree, these words of wisdom need to be somewhere visible where I can look at them more often.
Welcome Dawn,
Thank you for saying those lovely words. I need to look at them more often myself.
Liz
Priceless, your insights.
When I grow up I want to be wise like you Liz.
I love this photo of you, you are beautiful, but we all knew that.
Thank you, Lori,
Today I'm feeling just plain normal, nowhere near anything one might call wise. Thanks for your kind words about the photo--my husband took it and he likes me.
Liz
I like the one about running and walking. I'm always running, but I'm learning to walk and even stop, really stop. Trée posted that "Time" photo series with the message about how valuable time it. But I waste more time by worrying about how much time I'm wasting. If I live deeply, time grows deeper, and more valuable. Running does the opposite.
Was last year bad for you?
Hello Shining Garnet,
You and I will learn to walk together and to experience time deeply. Yes, last year might have been the worst year for me. If not for all of you . . . ah it was a growing year for sure.
smiles,
Liz
Liz
you are amazing my friend, so many of these things are things that should be burned in our minds so that we never forget, you are beautiful inside and out.
(hugs)
Hello mergrl,
No mindburning please. :)
I think remembering might be enough for now and a big smile or two. (((hugs)))
Liz
Well, now that I know how last year was for you, I'll personally make sure this one is splendiferously magnifiently heartmeltingly full of love and support.
neverendinghug,
G
Oh G,
What a wonderfulerously sweet and kind thing you say that brings tears to my eyes this night.
Liz
'I know for sure that the faster I want to run, the slower I should walk.'
Stands out the most to me.
Beautiful. Your words touched me.
HI Jackal,
Though I wrote that before I was just thinking about that line again this afternoon. My legs are sometimes smarter than my head I think.
Liz
Thank you, Sassy,
It means a lot to hear you say that. There was much thinking and feeling going on when I wrote those words.
Liz
A prose of contrasts in all of us. What we learn as adults, is completely different, the spectrum of our existence is something that we wonder what our journey has done to us. Where are we going in spirit now? Why does this road have to so revealing to my soul?
I did not enjoy what I have learned in the last five years, but I needed it more then ever. These words are your gift an open hand and a spirit with natures imprint as we all have the imprint of words and nature in our hearts.
Wow, Lance,
What you said right there is beautiful. You should post that on your blog.
Liz
Okay I will linking back to your post.
"Now there's the guy who was trading shares of my blog on Blogshares," she answered with a grin.
Yes at one time I held all the shares and built a billion dollar portfolio. I went to the bank and tried to use them as colateral but I was turned down.
Hey, Lance,
Guess that means I'm all talk and no show.
I wondered why you sold me.
Liz
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