Embrace Poignancy | Grateful Perspective – Day 2

Remember that saying, into every life, a little rain must fall? (I realized today that it came from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, The Rainy Day). Today’s grateful perspective is an invitation to accept the ‘rain’ as part of life, embrace poignancy and move forward.

We cannot fool the heart — it knows that love, loss, and longing come from the same source.
This awareness is the wide-open doorway to poignancy and treasuring life as a gift.
~ Kristi Nelson, Wake Up Grateful

Embrace Poignancy

A list of sorrows and uncertainties I’m feeling and the beautiful things in my life and in the world

This is not a comprehensive list. It is what the first things that occurred to me:

Sorrows and uncertainities I feel right now:

1. Am I making a difference through my work?
2. Healing from the hurts of the fast.
3. The loss of loved ones.
4. Uncertainity about the future.
5. The hatred and fascism in India.
6. A lack of community.

Beautiful things in my life and the world right now:

1. Love and understanding from my partner.
2. Writing, blogging and learning.
3. People reaching out to help others.
4. Books, music, movies and so much of good content.
5. The beauty of Nature – I’m surrounded by greenery and the sounds of various birds
6. My faith

How do each of these things awaken me to what matters most?

As I look at each of the things in both columns, I realize that it spells out what I value. My faith, love, understanding, community, my writing, Nature, kindness, etc. I see my longing to make a difference to others through my work and through my interactions.

How do each of these things invite me to greet each moment as precious?

The things I have listed invite me to go deeper into myself. To stop, look around, appreciate what I have. Not to take anyone or anything for granted. To be as kind as I can be to myself and others. Valuing life and love, and trying to be present through the pain and through the joys that makes up my life.

“Despite everything, life is full of beauty and meaning.”

Etty Hillesum

Choosing One Insight To Carry As A Reminder

I choose to embrace the poignancy of having lost people and community.

I must embrace the sense of isolation I sometimes feel. I long for community of the I have experienced before – and yet, not quite! I realize that in my earlier ‘community’ I was never completely myself – tried too hard to fit in – often lowering my standards of acceptable behaviour and conversation. My isolation, which has been largely by choice, in the past few years, has forced me to change. I have begun to enjoy my own company a lot more. This isolation has meant that I spend more time on reflection and growth and make better choices.

I’m grateful that this feeling of isolation makes me long for a richer, deeper and more vibrant connect with with others. I receive it as a gift.

I’m writing this insight on a piece of paper and taping it to my computer to remind me that poignancy gives me a grateful persective.

In yesterday’s Grateful Perspective practice, I shared about becoming present. Did you try out the exercise too? Would you be interested in making the lists I’ve shared and finding and embracing poignancy in your life? I’d love to hear from you on this.