Day 2,849

Growth:

Reminders of the temporary nature of life are difficult. When we are brought face to face with the impermanence of all that exists it is quite usually in a feeling of loss. My mind often initially thinks of something being taken away, but when I pause to choose my mindset I remember that I have a choice to make. While the loss of a loved one hurts, there is not a loss of the memories which have been made, the love that has been shared, or the moments spent together. In many ways it brings them all into wonderfully clear perspective of how much those moments meant and how thankful I am for the opportunity to share them with that loved one.

Appreciation:

To tie this in with the previous section I’m also very appreciative for the clarity brought to our lives when we face the impermanence of life. I know I will miss LuLu tremendously and nothing will prevent that hurt. That said, facing her fate in the near future puts so much of life into such clear perspective and helps me live life a little more fully and vividly.

We all have an expiration date, we just don’t know when it is. With the unknown date and time it seems so incredibly impossible and intangible. Death becomes a concept that is out there, but it happens to other people, certainly not ourselves or our precious loved ones. We know the specter of it lingers somewhere in the horizon, but it feels as if we’ll never actually meet if we keep the blankets over our heads or keep the lights on.

When we actually come to face death and it is truly palpable we have a unique opportunity to shift our mindset and have actual clarity and awareness of what awaits every single one of us. We’re reminded to be grateful for each moment we have, to appreciate each moment we enjoy with our loved ones, and to savor each breath which are blessed to pass through our system. Some of our deep feelings are brought up to the surface, we can feel so much so much more deeply, and can take action on these sensations in positive ways.

Over time as we distance ourselves from Death the sensation slowly fades into the background and dissipates back into the ether from which it lived before it was conjured up, reappearing when least expected and quickly reminding us of the lessons we learned when we’d last met.

Facing the impermanence of all life can either be difficult or life enriching, it is our choice to decide which it will be.

Presence:

Snuggling with LuLu on the couch this afternoon was perfect. She was smiling away as I pet her, as was I. The moments we’ve shared like this so many times over the past decade are ones I’ll always treasure. I will enjoy as many more of them as possible and savor them all the more deeply.

Thanks!!!