Moving On
“Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides..." Tony Schwartz
(It has been over two weeks since my little boy Corby died. I still tell him, “Time to get up,” “Time for bed,” and pat the pillow where he used to lie as I cuddled his wooly tummy. His sister Cosette has been very hyper and out of character. She sticks to me like super glue! Corben’s ashes are now tenderly contained in a hand-carved rosewood box. It feels like he has come home. Soon I will get a kitten because, in pet-lover world, you always have to be ready to move on. As I hug his box of ashes to my heart, I understand Alice Walker’s words, “Even as I hold you, I am letting you go.” Happy memories linger but do not hold us to our past. Life is what it is today and our anticipation of the future. Bless God.)
Are you, my Reader Friend, moving on from a situation in your life? The iconic Rapper Tupac Shakur speaks wisdom, “You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could’ve, would’ve happened…, or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move on.” You don’t have to leave your past all neat and tidy. In the long run of your life, it will gradually coalesce. Let the past make its own peace.
It is granted that there are instances of such profound loss or changes that getting to “Move On” is a long and painful process. Our attachment to certainties makes moving on more laborious. Yesterday, we knew what it was. It didn’t look like it would flip anytime soon, and we relaxed with ease and confidence. Today, a new happenstance appeared to rattle your nest. When something comes up, it must be handled. Maybe it resolves quickly or completely upsets your home routine drastically. Don’t burrow yourself in what was, be courageous and deal with what is necessary. Then talk to friends or a professional- talk to yourself and mentally prepare yourself to release the past and move on. Moving on is a decision. And surprise- moving on is the easy step. Staying “moved on” is trickier.
You can release your past to the ether of your mind. Conjure up good memories. Don’t let your memories bind you. I found this lovely poem to share with you:
“Sweet dreams and happy memories,
A love that’s good and true;
A home to care for tenderly;
A song to sing that’s new
Sweet dreams and happy memories
And friends to join in mirth
Some tears to give to those who die,
And smiles to greet each birth.
Sweet dreams and happy memories,
To win a game or two.
The faith to know that Spring will come,
The strength to wait it through.
Sweet dreams and happy memories,
To do what there’s to do
For joy is living day to day,
To make sweet dreams come true.”
— Doris Reed Tietz
“Let’s all move on. Shall we?”
I want to send this personal blessing to you.
I love the visual of leaving pieces on the floor. My floor is covered so without much thought I think I’ll just gather them lovingly and put them in a big storage container !