Thinking Outloud, Redux

Its always a spooky thing

to think out loud 

we often come to places 

we don't live in

but as we pass through

it is profound

some times we wander

into 

boggy places

that slow us down and make us struggle

some times we  wander into deeper 

darker

places that seem

like 

spiritually, or emotionally

the "valley of death"

and sometimes

we wander into places 

that really are 

the valley

as we face cancer, or strokes

all those things that batter our frail bodies

and move us on what whatever is next

on that journey

we can really only do one thing

and that is
be

it does not help to think too much

to go into the world of

better, different, more

(I should have done
better,
different
more)

all we can do is be

in that moment

in that place

we can be who we are

be who God created us to be

be for others

be open

be quiet

we can stop and breathe

and in that moment

(perhaps we do need to say to ourselves,  "stop it")

as we just are

allow ourselves to engage

with the moment

and particularly with the 

person

who is there, right there

in front of us

whether that be the person we see in mirror
or the person we meet along the way

we need to accept the suffering if is there

but also be open to the possibility of happiness

and understand

that it is there

that possibility

not in the accomplishment

or possessions

or status

but there

along the path of understanding and compassion

we feel, allow ourselves to feel

we feel for others

we feel with others 

we feel for ourselves

and nourish deeply

our connection with the sacred

that is deep

sometimes very deep

within us

in short

 we can be present

in ourselves

in our lives

present in that profound reality

that is the Sacred

that is God

or rather let that presence

that is Spirit

be truly present in us

peace!