THE JOURNEYS END
And when you have decided to place your foot on the path that has fewer footprints upon it, just too hopefully see what few others have seen. You have chosen to walk a different road, maybe you hope it will end in a different place but it I assure you it will not. Yet there is a reward in taking the road less traveled, the air is cleaner, the sights not so worn from being overly seen and you don’t have to consider that you might accidently step on the heel of the one crowded in in front of you. But at the end of the path you will most assuredly die for that is the natural order of the cycle of life as we know it, there is birth, a life consisting of time filled, either short or long or somewhere in between and it will always end with the passing out of the mortal part of you.
No matter which road you take, choose the one that suits you at the moment you have to decide because all roads have joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain. And as you walk always keep in mind the reason you have been given a choice at all. To teach you the meaning of freedom; especially freedom from whatever fear you hold close to your heart. For if there is sin its name is fear. Some will die alone and others surrounded by kin, some will fight for that last choking breath and others will simply let go their grip and be gone leaving behind only the flesh that is no longer needed on the next journey. Understand that you may find companions who will walk all of or just a portion of that road with you but it is inevitable that you walk it alone, you decide how close another may come to you but the prints you leave behind you are yours so tread with care and as much love for as many as you can for that love and care that you give is your only reward in this life.
Whatever comes next could be nothing and maybe you were given heart and soul to feel love here and now so do not waste the time in anger or other foolish pursuits. Look into the eyes of the person you are talking with, that will tell you all you need know of their feelings at the moment. If they are anxious calm them, love them, if they are angry, listen let them slow the boil and love them. If they have evil intent, protect yourself but do not waste time hating them. There is only one road worth traveling no matter which you choose and it is peace lined and paved with love and understanding that all men are weak and all are strong. Some will think they have more right to be on that path than you, those are them that always sprain ankles and walk with a painful limp, lend them your arm that they may see owning anything is impossible. I have my own faith that sustains me, it is not belief though I have those as well but they are mine to carry, just as yours are yours to carry. My hope is that when we reach the end of this path, no matter the sights seen upon it your faith and beliefs have freed you from your only sin.
Do not fear to live and do not fear to die both will blind you to the beauty of now and of you consider that now, this singular moment is all of the life you have is it not better to spend it loving all that shares this space with you?
Thank you all.
Be Well
And when you have decided to place your foot on the path that has fewer footprints upon it, just too hopefully see what few others have seen. You have chosen to walk a different road, maybe you hope it will end in a different place but it I assure you it will not. Yet there is a reward in taking the road less traveled, the air is cleaner, the sights not so worn from being overly seen and you don’t have to consider that you might accidently step on the heel of the one crowded in in front of you. But at the end of the path you will most assuredly die for that is the natural order of the cycle of life as we know it, there is birth, a life consisting of time filled, either short or long or somewhere in between and it will always end with the passing out of the mortal part of you.
No matter which road you take, choose the one that suits you at the moment you have to decide because all roads have joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain. And as you walk always keep in mind the reason you have been given a choice at all. To teach you the meaning of freedom; especially freedom from whatever fear you hold close to your heart. For if there is sin its name is fear. Some will die alone and others surrounded by kin, some will fight for that last choking breath and others will simply let go their grip and be gone leaving behind only the flesh that is no longer needed on the next journey. Understand that you may find companions who will walk all of or just a portion of that road with you but it is inevitable that you walk it alone, you decide how close another may come to you but the prints you leave behind you are yours so tread with care and as much love for as many as you can for that love and care that you give is your only reward in this life.
Whatever comes next could be nothing and maybe you were given heart and soul to feel love here and now so do not waste the time in anger or other foolish pursuits. Look into the eyes of the person you are talking with, that will tell you all you need know of their feelings at the moment. If they are anxious calm them, love them, if they are angry, listen let them slow the boil and love them. If they have evil intent, protect yourself but do not waste time hating them. There is only one road worth traveling no matter which you choose and it is peace lined and paved with love and understanding that all men are weak and all are strong. Some will think they have more right to be on that path than you, those are them that always sprain ankles and walk with a painful limp, lend them your arm that they may see owning anything is impossible. I have my own faith that sustains me, it is not belief though I have those as well but they are mine to carry, just as yours are yours to carry. My hope is that when we reach the end of this path, no matter the sights seen upon it your faith and beliefs have freed you from your only sin.
Do not fear to live and do not fear to die both will blind you to the beauty of now and of you consider that now, this singular moment is all of the life you have is it not better to spend it loving all that shares this space with you?
Thank you all.
Be Well
mark
© 8/17/13
It has been a hard and enlightening week. We went to the crematorium yesterday morning and said our final "see ya Davie" as he was placed in the heat. I think it was done in perfect Davie style, cardboard box with his name misspelled and crossed out and spelled properly. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a recycled box because at 1600 degrees I don't think there'd be much left of the cardboard to make it through the fire twice. Someone put some flowers in with him, a medal, and of course I had to make sure he had a couple of cigarettes as it was a smoking allowed flight. And everyone wrote a note for him to take with him, a little mail to read on the ride.
ReplyDeleteI miss him already but to me that is a good sign that I will always remember my wife's brother as my friend.
Once again thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers.
Be Well
mark
name misspelled...oh my...smiles...i like the gentle wisdom of your words...not fearing to live or die...and hope for whatever comes next....hugs brother....
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I hope that his transition to the spirit world was peaceful.
ReplyDeleteYour post about the journey is a good one. All that matters really is love. Hard to sometimes lend a hand to an enemy, but it feels much better to do that than to resent, fear or hate them.
So much truth here, Mark. Yes, being born and dying...all wrapped up in one package...
ReplyDeleteI think life is about who we touch on our journeys...when our paths intersect there is something profound in that.
My heart is with you.
ReplyDeleteAloha
So many have said that hate is the opposite of love. Hate is bad, too, don't get me wrong, but fear is debilitating. It's the source of hate, the source of all evil.
ReplyDeleteLife is too brief for fear. Such a waste to fear, when the trees have such green leaves, when one knows death is not the end of life, is just a passing... when nothing is wasted.
I'm glad you miss him. You wouldn't be who you are if you didn't.
It is too bad that those dead cannot hear the words before.
ReplyDeleteBut friends are friends to the end and they know that.
Condolences. Your brother-in-law.
ReplyDeleteAnd what an epitaph.
It surely resonated with me as these days I can talk, but not so sure I can always walk.
Peace and quiet, man. That's all I want. Peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteYour words are like fragrant oil xx
ReplyDeleteMark:
ReplyDeleteWhat a fitting farewell. That is the thing about loving...it allows the "other" to make a nest in our hearts. Even when our precious others take flight, the nest remains to always remind of both the toil of bonding and sweetness of loving.
The missing of someone is so hard and has a way of catching us off guard, as when you want to call and tell him something funny or sad and then remember the call can't be made. Sadness waxess and wains. In the end one is left with the strength you had when you allowed him in your heart to love him and allowed him to love you back. It is a wonder.
You are a dear human being. Thoughts remain with you.
Mark, It's very hard to live in the moment, but I think that is part of your message. I've found that accepting death only slightly lessens the pain of missing someone you have loved. xo
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for you and your family. I wish you peace and strength during this time. May u find solace in the love of a good memory and the family bonds you share. Be well my friend. My thoughts are with you
ReplyDeleteGive as much love as you can before it's too late... How often we forget when caught in all the petty things that life throws our way.
ReplyDeleteMark, I read just now the other post about your wife's and your brother Dave and the explanation in the comments. This is so extremely sad. I hope that he has found the peace he didn't have in life. One has to hope that to make the sadness bearable. I would like to find better words for you and your wife, but they seem meaningless.
Just know that I'm thinking of you and that I'm hugging you with all my heart.
If there is one thing I learned in Mongolia, it's that we make our own paths, and we drop them when the time is right. No need to worry about it. It'll just happen.
ReplyDelete