Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 2:02am
Creating our lives
Column: Our Place in the Universe
Earlier this year I was contemplating my "old age." Of course, it started with thinking about my mom. I got a card from my younger sister on my last birthday that joked about looking in the mirror and seeing Mom's reflection. It's true. As I grow older, I resemble Mom more and more.
I remember when she turned 50. We kids teased her mercilessly about being a half a century. When she turned 60, I was amazed that this is what the "new" 60 looked like. She didn't look or act like her own mother did at age 60. Now that she's 80, I've got to turn my thinking around about what the "new" 80 is.
But my thoughts started going in the direction of my becoming incapacitated. If, when I grow older, I would be unable to walk or see or be active, what then? I've already written about my feeling of what it would be like to go blind, and what I've learned from our blind, diabetic old doggie, Bay. He never saw his handicap as a limitation, and it never kept him from enjoying the fullness of life.
Life is a creation. As we create our lives, we remember who we are, where we're going, and on whose shoulders we are standing. As we create, we make substantial the potential that is our future and our legacy. Our creation doesn't start with great things, but with things that represent who we are at this moment. Embodied within this creation are the symbols of those who have helped us on our way, be it through love or pain.
Embracing this path, or the story of our life, keeps us whole, no matter whatever else is missing. I found myself thinking, if I am unable to get around, what a wonderful time to spend in prayer. There never seems to be enough time for contemplation, meditation or prayer. There are always more than enough situations to pray about and send healing energy toward.
Although this doesn't define who I will become, it did alleviate my anxiety — that, and the image of my mother still going strong after eight decades of living. The amazing thing about the creation of our lives is that we can define ourselves differently at every moment. Without the threat of stagnation or punishment, which implies an inability to move beyond the moment, our lives become vehicles of transformation and beauty.
It would be hard for me to be engaged in the development of my own creation if it weren't for my friends, my family, and this column. Seeing the process in the substantial things I create allows me to see the progression of my "life." Each one of us has a unique ability that reflects our life as a creation. Some people write, some paint, sculpt or make music. Some people's lives are reflected in the classroom, and their interaction with their students; some with their children, their business, or their friends.
According to Michael Samuels and Mary Rockwood Lane in their book "Creative Healing," one secret of transformation comes about through sharing. When healers want to impart their experiences, they tell a story. This way the whole village can participate in the creative power. Sometimes our lives can only become clear to us when we take the time to share our experiences with others. In the same way, others can then see more clearly the legacy they are able to inherit.
Opening to our reality creates a mind and body unity that frees the spirit within. Our spirit can then transcend the moment, thus becoming the catalyst for transformation. Going down, deep into our being, or spiraling out into the world both uncover our path. We discover who we truly can become by following the path with that openness of heart. Out of nothingness, out of eternity, we create ourselves as we interconnect with the rest of the creation process, weaving a rich tapestry of life. This is our offering, and it is what can make us whole.
— — —
Anne E. Ulvestad is a free-lance writer residing in Maryland. She has her masters in earth literacy, and is available for public lectures and group presentations and rituals on Spirituality and the Environment. Anne can be reached at {email anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com}anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Anne E. Ulvestad.
I remember when she turned 50. We kids teased her mercilessly about being a half a century. When she turned 60, I was amazed that this is what the "new" 60 looked like. She didn't look or act like her own mother did at age 60. Now that she's 80, I've got to turn my thinking around about what the "new" 80 is.
But my thoughts started going in the direction of my becoming incapacitated. If, when I grow older, I would be unable to walk or see or be active, what then? I've already written about my feeling of what it would be like to go blind, and what I've learned from our blind, diabetic old doggie, Bay. He never saw his handicap as a limitation, and it never kept him from enjoying the fullness of life.
Life is a creation. As we create our lives, we remember who we are, where we're going, and on whose shoulders we are standing. As we create, we make substantial the potential that is our future and our legacy. Our creation doesn't start with great things, but with things that represent who we are at this moment. Embodied within this creation are the symbols of those who have helped us on our way, be it through love or pain.
Embracing this path, or the story of our life, keeps us whole, no matter whatever else is missing. I found myself thinking, if I am unable to get around, what a wonderful time to spend in prayer. There never seems to be enough time for contemplation, meditation or prayer. There are always more than enough situations to pray about and send healing energy toward.
Although this doesn't define who I will become, it did alleviate my anxiety — that, and the image of my mother still going strong after eight decades of living. The amazing thing about the creation of our lives is that we can define ourselves differently at every moment. Without the threat of stagnation or punishment, which implies an inability to move beyond the moment, our lives become vehicles of transformation and beauty.
It would be hard for me to be engaged in the development of my own creation if it weren't for my friends, my family, and this column. Seeing the process in the substantial things I create allows me to see the progression of my "life." Each one of us has a unique ability that reflects our life as a creation. Some people write, some paint, sculpt or make music. Some people's lives are reflected in the classroom, and their interaction with their students; some with their children, their business, or their friends.
According to Michael Samuels and Mary Rockwood Lane in their book "Creative Healing," one secret of transformation comes about through sharing. When healers want to impart their experiences, they tell a story. This way the whole village can participate in the creative power. Sometimes our lives can only become clear to us when we take the time to share our experiences with others. In the same way, others can then see more clearly the legacy they are able to inherit.
Opening to our reality creates a mind and body unity that frees the spirit within. Our spirit can then transcend the moment, thus becoming the catalyst for transformation. Going down, deep into our being, or spiraling out into the world both uncover our path. We discover who we truly can become by following the path with that openness of heart. Out of nothingness, out of eternity, we create ourselves as we interconnect with the rest of the creation process, weaving a rich tapestry of life. This is our offering, and it is what can make us whole.
— — —
Anne E. Ulvestad is a free-lance writer residing in Maryland. She has her masters in earth literacy, and is available for public lectures and group presentations and rituals on Spirituality and the Environment. Anne can be reached at {email anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com}anne@ourplaceintheuniverse.com{/email}. © Copyright 2007 by Anne E. Ulvestad.