Living Well

When she died, they
discovered a box of art so
beautiful that they wondered where
she had discovered the artist and
why she never showed anyone the
delicate drawings.

There were dozens of carelessly
stored pieces of rich imagination
and meticulously rendered art. She
was a woman of modest means; how
did she manage to buy these treasures?

Then one day, her daughter discovered
her mother’s journal which was penned
in language of such sensitivity that each
page seemed a poem. In the corner of each
page, her mother had carefully drawn images like
those found in the box of art. She was
the secret artist.

Of course, one can only wonder why
she choose to hide such a gift. But
I understand because there is a part
of each of us that no one can ever
capture, that remains our unattainable
self. It is who we uniquely are,
sometimes…

What happened to discretionary income?
Too often every penny is accounted for
before we receive the money. Are we
working only to survive the moment?

I adored having elective subjects in
college for then I could study what
I really loved. But, wait a moment,
isn’t that rather absurd? Why weren’t
my electives my majors? Because my
electives would not make me the most money!
And, in my culture, making money was the goal.
I could do the things I love to do
only when I had discretionary money
and time. Oh, yes, an energy left
over…a rare commodity in our
rat race world.

Today I am retired, that is, from
the whip of making money. I live
humbly but richly for I go from
one activity that I love to another.
Why did I need to be almost 70 to do
what I love?

Next time I am going…

Take the worst crisis you
have ever experienced, the
one that brought you to your
knees pleading for God to help.

What if this moment when you
are filled with despair is a
moment of Divine Love so great
that we should be on our knees in
humble gratitude rather than supplication?
For these dark hours bring us to awareness
of our spirituality, our connection
with Source. When I simply can do
nothing more is when I finally surrender
and seek the help of my Creator.

Please help me again feel the joy
of a sunny day, of laughter, of peace.
I thank you, most Beloved Creator, for
giving me a balance of hard and good
times so that I never become complacent
in my desire to be One with All that is.

Am I a giver or a receiver?
I need, I want, I take, I receive.
The moment I have what I want, I experience
pleasure, which quickly fades leaving me
wanting again–either more of the same or
a new desire.

Ancient wisdom tells us that it is
more blessed to give than to receive.
Does this mean I am somehow “wrong”
for wanting, for receiving?

Who is the giver? Wealthy people,
people who have received such
abundance that they are willing to
part with a little? Are they more
noble than I?

How about the giver who gives to gain
acceptance, power, even love. If this
giver receives in the act of giving,
does this make him a receiver?

Is it possible to be a giver so pure
of intention that the giving is an
act of unconditional love?

Can a receiver become a giver by
loving the giver so…