I found the shop sign during a stroll in Auvergne, France. I stopped. I took the words in, thinking that this was exactly how I envisioned 2012 teaching me. The value of the present.
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." -Mahatma Gandhi. I was given the gift of the first phrase during a near death encounter in a car accident a few years ago. Since then, I have been conscious that in any given moment, life can be taken away. I spent the next few years chasing my dreams and learning as many things as I can master. I was held short of not being able to appreciate the places I've seen, the things I have accomplished. I felt empty.
I was reading passages of the book, The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck during vacation. It was not enough that I venture and satiate my senses. I had to somehow feed my soul and took this first break of sabbatical in reflecting about decisions and choices I have made in life that brought me where I am right at this moment.
In order to appreciate the present, I have to confront, acknowledge and let go of the past. This would allow me to take full responsibility of my own decisions and stop blaming others, the authority for situations beyond my control. A lot of concealed anger surfaced during this trip, which I have dealt with quietly. I had so many questions and this book somehow provided clarity.
In the midst of anger, with the present in mind, I was able to set these feelings aside and genuinely enjoy experiences as if I were a kid again. I reflected on the gifts of this year 2012 that led to doing a lot of ''firsts." First time to..
- Ride a horse ,
- Hike/climb a mountain ,
- Drive on the left side of the road ,
- Make a cookie ,
- Bake a cake ,
- First time to cross a cable at a parcours adventure park, Accrobranche ,
- Take a Balloon Flight
- First time to bike downhill (I have yet to write about that one).
These moments were filled with Joy. It was only this year that I have felt a deep sense of 'being' while being fully aware of God's grace.
" Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his will, and to his glory."' - Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20
It struck me while taking on these activities. For one to enjoy the present is to accept that "life is difficult. Life is a series of problems."- Scott Peck. According to Buddha, "Life is a suffering."
I need to surrender my need for perfection, in order to see life's beauty through their flaws. For it's in these flaws that I am transformed into what God has intended me to be.
" Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his will, and to his glory."' - Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20
It struck me while taking on these activities. For one to enjoy the present is to accept that "life is difficult. Life is a series of problems."- Scott Peck. According to Buddha, "Life is a suffering."
I need to surrender my need for perfection, in order to see life's beauty through their flaws. For it's in these flaws that I am transformed into what God has intended me to be.
That, made me seize the day.
Love & light,
Arni
Love & light,
Arni
2 comments
You have had a lot of wonderful firsts this year! I'm so glad you lived through your accident and are able to enjoy these experiences and make new friends!
ReplyDeleteI'm extremely grateful for that miracle. It made me see a bigger picture of what is truly important. I realized how family and friends play a bigger role and it saved me from pursuing the wrong things. I'm also fortunate to discover friends online-incredible people like yourself embarking on everyday adventures with joy, strength and positivity. XX
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