We have all experienced death during our lifetimes, sometimes personal, sometimes periferal. We can express our concerns, perhaps by even saying we know what they are going through. Our heart means well but we miss the mark. Is there really a correct way to express sorrow for another person’s grief?
My mother just passed away and at almost 94 had a productive life. Although born into wealth, she experienced the very essence of being poor by going through the depression and having to babysit for extra monies to add to the family’s food table. She discovered early on, prior to becoming a teenager, that her life should mean something and it was at this time that she started developing her spiritual beliefs. These beliefs took her to her highest level of achievement – she became a registered nurse. On the day that she died, she was helping one of her aides in a family matter.
To the end, she was a servant to everyone. She told me that she was happiest in her life emptying bed pans, as she was helping those who could not help themselves.
One of my readers has informed me that he thought I was whining about what life could have been or what it should have been for me. It is not my intention to ever sound negative. It is, however, my intention, to present issues that occur in today’s business climate and that these issues also overflow into our personal lives.
My mother’s death presents an interesting question – Did she do what we are expected to do with our lives? Is life about what makes us happy? Is our life worthwhile and how much should we give? Is life never to give us satisfaction? How much do we really need? What is the next Everest for us? Did we have a first Everest? Is it all right to sit back and relax and do nothing?
Do we achieve peace within ourselves to weather any storm?
Galatians 6:22…the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control; and, Vs 26…Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
In my business and personal life, I had been at a loss to experience any of these things until I realized that there was a purpose for my life, large or small, and that I was here to accomplish something. There are so many trite sayings, i.e., it is in the giving that we receive. Do you believe that when you are unemployed? When you have been fired? When you have been slandered? When you have been left alone after a long relationship?
As in my mother’s case, we too will experience the ultimate highs and lowest of the lows in life but when we learn to forget ourselves and realize that there are those less fortunate, perhaps we too will be happy to empty bed pans in service to others.
There is an overused term – Unspeakable joy – that permeates this world.
Did you help an employee through a rough situation when you really did not like that person? Did you give of your time to a homeless person? Did you smile when you were down? Did you give a word of encouragement to someone who needed it? Did you help someone with his or her groceries today? Did you give someone money who desperately needed it never expecting to get it back? Did you put your arms around someone today and tell of your love?
No matter how bad business is, no matter how bad you may think your personal life is, no matter your finances – your heart is bigger than any obstacle presented to you. In your life’s journey, you are preparing for death – a death of smiles with no regrets.
Luke 12:27-31…Consider the Lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if G__ so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
May all of life’s experiences become joy, and in your personal journey, know that there are others who, feeling as you do, know that they are not alone in life’s preparation for the final moments.
Are you at peace?
Now that is a discussion for another day.
Blessings.