The Essentials

What is essential does not die but clarifies.

-Thornton Wilder-

I come to write today because it has been poking at me, but somehow I've been crazy busy and just haven't set aside the time. I finally said I'm going to do it NOW, and see where it leads.

Then I looked at my last blog post (from March 24) and I see that in it I was wondering where I was heading and what life will look like.

And now I know why Wilder's quote struck me this morning. I have been getting some of that clarification since that day at Lighthouse Beach.

Ask the question. Get the answer. (Even if you didn't remember asking!)

With family here, I was able to get some things fixed, switched out, cleaned out -- in particular the garage which looks like an entirely different place with all the STUFF out of it. 

It hasn't stopped since then. I find I'm thinking more and more about what my style will be, and I've been seeking out new clothes and shoes. Especially now that I lost 20 pounds and a bunch of my pants are too big! (Good problem to have, I suppose.) I muse on other ways to change up things in my home, make them mine. Every day it seems I do get a little more clarity of the essentials of life as it is right now.

I started taking Tai Chi classes that meet twice a week through May, and I'm loving it. Tomorrow morning I'm going to a Breath Body Mind workshop. Today I got myself to Lakes Park and walked around the lake. I am still nowhere near the strength I need, so I had to stop and rest twice. I'm not willing to push myself too much. The last thing I need is an injury or a setback.

Today I was asked to take over leading our book club starting in June. I have known the right things would come to me at the right time. I'm sorry that my friend Trish will be moving away, but I'm glad she asked me.

Now that I'm recovering from months of health issues, I feel myself moving through the world with more confidence and stability. It's been a long time coming.

 At first the wind was a bit cold

but that blue sky, those clouds!

The birds all around the lake, my companions

Ibis and seagulls and moorhens

Nearly everyone I walked past said hello or good morning

This is the Lakes Park I have missed

And now sitting at this computer writing -- 

touching back to who I am in the deepest part of myself

which has been making its way to the surface

Wilder is right.

The months of darkness made me feel something was dying,

but that is not true.

It was taking off the husk.

Polishing the diamond.

Opening up a door to a room I've never been in before.

And I'm okay right where I am because

I have the essentials.