Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Stand Tall

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows follow behind you."
~ Maori Proverb


Like the bloom of the sunflower that turns her face toward the sun, I too must rise every morning and face my day.   My achy body and weary head must persevere.  I need to to find strength, courage and inspiration.  My husband and my boys are my anchors, and it is for them I count my blessings. Health, home, safety, nourishment, comfort, work and love.  I can provide for my family and spend time laughing with friends.  The constant reminder of honoring and enjoying what we have now, as it can be gone tomorrow.  The cycle of life and death is known, but seems to hit hard when it happens to us personally.  Sadness and loss are part of life.  I choose to make an effort, to show up to my life and not be afraid.

My grandmother lived to be 90 years old.  She was a woman of strength, independence, faith, story, song, and stage.  A loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a writer, a poet, a musician, caregiver, and friend.  Our life is a constant discovery of who and what we are.  The moments we have with people turn into memories, they shape and mold us into thinking, feeling and being.

We must not give up, but surrender to the unknown.  Stand tall with a strong stalk and feel the wind move you, but do not falter.  Allow for flexibility, spontaneity and the beauty of your day to unfold.  Take the good with the bad and open yourself to what you need to grow.  Stay attentive to what is happening to us and in us.  Mistakes are inevitable and become important lessons.  Finding balance is the backbone of life.  Carry memories of people and experience with you.  Hold love, peace, patience and forgiveness in your heart.  Believe in yourself.