Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Midweek: Time to Sharpen Our Focus

Sharing quotes is one of my favorite things. Here's one for you:

 "Up until we have received a catastrophic diagnosis or lost someone we love, we might take life for granted. When we receive a diagnosis that we have just a little while to live, or when our closest friend dies, our focus may sharpen, at least for a while, and we begin to examine our lives and our fate."*

I certainly resonate with this perspective now. Extending my arm out the door this morning to receive the image above, (it was six degrees) was because I want to live every day to the fullest. The sun was sneaking up from the horizon calling to me.  

 Let me know if this quote resonates with you. Do you remember times when your life seemed precious?

 Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall

 *Joan Halifax, Being with Dying: Cultivating Compassion and Fearlessness in the Presence of Death (2008)
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4 comments:

  1. nanFebruary 26, 2014 at 11:25 AM

    Hi Nicky,

    Yes, when Steve died, even though I wasn't as close to him as Tim was, it brought to mind how fragile life is. Not only did I think about myself dying, but Tim……and also thought of siblings and friends. There is such a void when someone close to you dies. I waver from deep sadness to WOW! I'm alive! And I reflect on my life, am I living the way I want, what can I improve, what should I do next, how is my relationship with God. I imagine that is pretty standard for most people.

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  2. NicolaFebruary 26, 2014 at 11:26 AM

    Nan - I love how you draw my attention to the opposites we face when grieving - the deep sadness and the WOW I'm alive feeling. No wonder grief is disorienting.

    Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.

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  3. NinaFebruary 26, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    Sometimes getting away, like on a long-awaited vacation can give you a different perspective of your life. Visiting a very different continent made me want to make changes and to appreciate the many little blessings of my everyday life.

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    Replies
    1. NicolaFebruary 26, 2014 at 6:20 PM

      Very interesting - yes to another way of realizing the preciousness of life.

      Thank you for your message - sorry you had so much trouble getting it to post to the blog. If anyone else is having difficulties, please email me.

      Delete

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