Dr. Eve Wood (Medicine, Mind, and Miracles) reflects on the fact that we live in a painful and imperfect world. We experience fear, disappointment, abandonment, failure, grief, loss and death. How can we find solace and meaning in such a world?
Life can “turn on a dime.” Just yesterday, my sister’s partner of 20+ years suddenly fell unconscious and is currently in the hospital. They are keeping him unconscious for 3 days to improve his chances of recovery. However, we don’t know if he will ever regain consciousness. There are no guarantees. How, then, can we handle the monumental and sometimes overwhelming task of living “and still keep a song in our heart?”
Dr. Wood concludes that the way we live our lives is a reflection of how we look at the complexity of life. Do we choose to look for lessons in loss, connection in loneliness, and opportunity in failure? Can we forgive ourselves and others for our limitations? Can we look at ourselves as having been endowed with innate value? Can we appreciate our unique gifts and share them with others?
There is so much wisdom in the “serenity prayer,” composed by Renhold Niebuhr (later adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous):
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference…”Let us all choose wisely—to embrace life in all its messiness and learn to live well. Let us appreciate each moment and not take life or each other for granted. May we make the most of our lives and contribute to the lives of others and to improving our world.