Good Morning Celebrants of Life on the Soul Nugget List!
Charlie Bower is 72 years old and has been suffering from ALS. He wrote his last blog – One Day At A Time – Jan 23, 2015. I met Charlie at a retreat at the Shalom Mountain Retreat and Study Center maybe 30 years ago. There is much that we can learn from Charlie. It is an honor to be sharing his life wisdom with you. I feel that there is some sacred, soul full, about reading his words at this time. There will come a time for each one of us when we shall be writing our last words. Between now and then, how shall we live?
“The constant and relentless journey I am experiencing with ALS continues unabated and the will to live continues to be squeezed from my body. I sleep more, eat less – it seems to be just part of the shutting down process. Life is lived one day at a time as I await the bolt from the blue. Unlike many people who have ALS my voice works. When my voice goes, I will also lose much of my ability to swallow and I will no longer be able to use my cough assist. I really don’t know how much longer I will live but I do believe that I will know when to cry uncle and to release my grip on life. My hope is that I will have the courage to do the unthinkable. I do not report on my conditions so that you may pity me but to give you some perspective from this side of the fence. It is also my way to encourage you to live as fully as you can while you can.
When I came into the world in 1942 the world was at war and from then until now it continues. If you look at all of the segments of our culture politics, education, healthcare, financial they are all cards in the house of cards. Sometimes in conversation with my friends we try to imagine what the world will be like in 40 or 50 years – there’s just so many unknowns.
My hope for a positive future is that enough people will develop an attitude of gratitude. That awareness on a personal level will become more important than hockey or The Big Bang Theory. Starting at an early age mindfulness will be as important as arithmetic. This will only happen to one intrinsically motivated person at a time but at some point the hundredth monkey concept will kick in, a tipping point will be reached, the paradigm will shift. With mindfulness it’s possible things could be seen in a much clearer light, using the prism of understanding, open-mindedness and love. Imagine what this will do for all the important decisions that must be made for our planet and at a personal level. A mindfull consciousness would displace the low-energy victim states of anger, guilt, resentment with higher energy states of acceptance, enjoyment and enthusiasm. I can write page after page of the fears I have for our planet but I do have a strong belief in human resilience. I believe if the world is to change course the web will allow people to be connected everywhere all the time and at some point perhaps 50 or 200 years from now there will be a tipping point. It’s also possible that humans are nothing more than a disease on our planet and the planet will find a way to cure itself, getting rid of the human bacteria.
Enough about me what about you – are you living life in the shadows somewhat seduced by comfort? Are you experiencing enough love and belonging, personal power, freedom and fun? It’s been said something to the effect that “you only live once but if you live right once is enough” and I guess that’s the fundamental question of life. What does it mean to live right? Of course this is a personal question but whatever that is for you I would encourage you to pick up your fiddle and move in the direction of what scares you. The worst thing that could happen is that you will die but at least you will die living.
I met Hallie in 1984 at my first shalom retreat. I’ve never laid eyes on her since. I am not much of a Facebook user but every once in a while something comes into my in box and today it was from Hallie. I opened it and read the following quote:
“Is there anything that you want to do with your life you’re not doing? Do you wish you had more meaning in your life or are you full up? Is it something you want to “Be”? Do you want more love and belonging, power, freedom or fun? What in the hell are you waiting for? The secret to dying well is living well – whatever that is for you simply become fierce about your life and do it before it is too late.”
This sums up the essence of what I was trying to say with all my blog posts and undoubtedly these actions would lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. When your time comes to die you could smile and say what a trip, knowing that you attempted every day to play your music. Whoever and wherever you are thanks for being part of my life. To everything there is a season……”
Soul Nugget 