On Thursday afternoon I decided to go to Central Park for a run, once I arrived it was clear that the run wasn't happening. The path was covered in ice, however I decided to walk and hope that I wouldn't fall. I looked out at the reservoir, saw ducks gliding across the water, birds flying up above. Yet I didn’t see another person in sight. I took out my headphones and listened to the water moving, and the wind blowing. I felt calm and content with that very moment. Although I was alone, I didn’t feel alone at all; I was surrounded by all of the other life that exists along side with us. I heard footsteps and soft voices behind me. “If you fall, we will help you.” I turned around and three strangers smiled at me. They continued walking, and I stopped to watch the ducks glide and the birds fly up above. I thought to myself, how interconnected we all are, and even in our moments of solitude there is always someone willing to help us up.
Regardless of all of the nightmarish practices in our culture, I am taking something else away from this unit. I need to learn how to stop worrying and waiting for something bad to happen. Death is unavoidable, and fearing the moment it is going to happen will not get me anywhere. By embracing all of the beauty the world offers and having moments of stillness, I can bring myself back to center. I understand clearly now the importance of stepping back and taking a good look at the path we are on. These paths are not set in stone, for at any given time we have the ability to change them. Although what happens to our body isn’t always up to us, our minds and spirits are in our complete control. By knowing this the defeatist attitude about getting old, should be altered. I know now that when I do die I want to be surrounded by people who truly care about me, in my own home, where I will go in stillness.
Your post started off very interesting, I was automatically pulled in an connected immediately. I found it interesting how both you and Megumi stated that death is unavoidable and how you just have to live in the moment. I feel like your post really explained everything you gained from this unit and you showed that by explaining how you have to live more in the moment. Great post and continue with the great work!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! I found the post very detailed in imagery and grabbed my interest in reading it thoroughly. I agree that though death is unavoidable we should not fear death itself. I found this line very interesting, "Although what happens to our body isn’t always up to us, our minds and spirits are in our complete control. By knowing this the defeatist attitude about getting old, should be altered." I found this very insightful and I do agree that our negative attitude towards the elderly really needs to be changed. There is no shame in age.
ReplyDeleteIt is so comforting to read your post and to know how much you are growing and maturing into such a loving, kind person with insight. When we are young it is so hard to believe we will be old someday. I like to imagine how all the older people I meet must have been and how they looked when they were younger. They were just like younger people today, like you and your friends, filled with incredible amounts of energy and enthusiasm and beautifully young! They were on the precipice of their adult life and now they are on another precipice...one that hopefully they are ready for! If we are fortunate we grow beautifully old and become examples of a life lived well. xoxo Mom
ReplyDeleteI really liked the way you described every detail in the first paragraph. I too go running in the park but never take the time to notice everything around me. My favorite line was, "...even in our moments of solitude there is always someone willing to help us." It seems like you learned a lot about yourself and how you want to lead your life. Good Job. Rebecca
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