Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge Day 17 #HAWMC
Day 17 of the WEGO Health Activist Writer’s Month which I have signed up for – a month dedicated to the art of writing about health.
Today’s prompt:
Learned the Hard Way. What’s a lesson you learned the hard way? Write about it for 15 today.
I am going to have to cheat a little today as I am so very tired after last night’s presentation which I gave at the official launch of my new business venture. We had a great night and thanks to all who came to support us and all the kind tweets and messages from those who were unable to attend.
Now, back to today’s challenge. I am not able to fulfill the writing for 15 minutespart of the brief, but I would like to write a few words about learning the hard way. I am right in the middle of learning my lesson about the nature of grief and I believe that this pain is teaching me a valuable lesson. To borrow the words of my favorite poet, Mary Oliver, “To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go”. That’s a hard lesson for me!
I am not quite sure what that lesson I am learning is yet, so if anyone can help me out here and speed up the learning for me, I would love to hear your thoughts! In the meantime, let me share this reflection on lessons learned the hard way from Anne Morrow Lindbergh:
I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches.
If suffering alone taught,
all the world would be wise,
since everyone suffers.
To suffering must be added
mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness
and the willingness to remain vulnerable.
The only help I can give, well this realisation came to me anyhow that grief due to the loss of a loved one makes you remember to Enjoy the Ride. Too often we get caught up with the stresses and years pass and were so busy struggling that you didn’t stop to enjoy what was good. This is what I’ve learnt (among other things) from the recent loss of loved ones. It’s making me reassess a lot of things
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You always help me gain some perspective Marian – thank you x
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Ah thanks:). Over the last months you’ve been there for me as a great friend when I needed one.
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No excuses or apologies necessary, Marie. Congratulations on your new launch! How exciting! You are busy beyond anything I can comprehend.
I love the quote you shared with us. Much wisdom comes from so few words.
What I’ve learned from grief is there is no way to fast-forward through it. As we endure it, experience it, grasp it, and even embrace it, we become refined in the fire, like gold. The dross is burned off, leaving polished valuable material behind. I feel like that polished gold now, but it took time. My mum passed away in 2004, and the takeaways I remember most from her precious life are her gentleness, forgiveness, a generous spirit, and an enduring love. Those are legacies I’m endeavoring to pass on as I weather the continuing storms of life. My goal is that when I’m gone, people who have observed my life will emulate me in those ways. Hope that helps.
I’m praying for you whenever I think of you, dear one, for comfort, peace, and and an enveloping sense of love. xxx
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Oh Jan, your comment brings me so much comfort – thank you for your compassion and wisdom – you are all of the things you described your mother as being (this also describes my own beloved mother too) Thank you my friend for this beautiful insight
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