How Do You Want to Live Your Amazing Life?
By David Tillman – February 2023
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Poet and author David Whyte wrote: “Ten years ago, I turned my head for a moment and it became my life.” [1] I think of this poem often. It reminds me to take a moment to pause from my busy life. To lift up gratitude to God (creator) for all that I have been given. To reflect on the bigger picture of what is going on in my life, the lives of those I love and journey with, and how I can better serve all of creation.
About thirty years ago, eight of us met every other week to talk about what was important to us. Before our first meeting each of us wrote out things we wanted “to do” over the next three months. We also included our vision of what our life would look like in one year, in five years, and twenty years. At our meeting, each person would briefly review the things they wanted “to do” over the next three months. There was no feedback or crosstalk from others. If someone wanted feedback, they would ask for it.
We were in our thirties and forties, and some of us were divorced. Many of our one, five and twenty-year visions included finding a loving partner, getting married, and parenting our children. As I look back at this time, I see this shared vision planted a seed within our group and in each of our souls.
Within three to four years of our first meeting, many of us met a loving partner, were married, and blessed with child(ren). Our group disbanded a few years later, however, some of us have kept in touch with each other since then. Sadly, Susan died of ALS years ago. Susan and her husband were surrounded by many of the groups’ members with love, comfort, and support as her health declined. Susan taught us about death and dying gracefully. I miss her smile and zest for life.
[1] David Whyte, The Heart Aroused: Poetry and the Preservation of the Soul at Work, pp. 196-197.
