How many days of living do each of us have? What choices can we make in each moment to make the most of the time we have on this earth? How do we approach a troubled and changing world with compassion and love? How do we navigate our lives?
So many questions, and for each of us a very personal answer. This morning, I learned of the passing of the leader of a company I worked for
in my 30s. I spent a decade working at that company, a decade during which my personal life was very difficult, filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
Here I am, a few decades later and coming to terms with thriving in this last part of my life. Estate planning, moving from one career to another, acutely aware that I have the opportunity in each moment to make a choice. Each of us can move into thriving in the next phase of our lives, whether it be young adulthood, middle age, or our later years.
I liken this to moving into the life of a sage. While the definition of sage infers someone mature, I believe we all have wisdom within us, a sage within each of us that is not defined by age. We all have some undefined length of time left that we can approach with excitement, with curiosity, with authenticity.
But how do we do that? It may seem counterintuitive, but first, we slow down. We move out of busy-ness into listening. We connect with our bodies and we feel. We tune into what excites us, what moves us, what brings us joy, and what breaks our heart.
We move from surviving to thriving.
I am writing this on the most beautiful summer morning. The trees are full, the flowers are in full bloom. Nature is thriving, flourishing. Just a few months ago it was gray and brown, and in a few months after a celebration of autumn color it will be gray again.
How do we take that analogy into our own lives? Our moments of flourishing are met with gratitude. Anchoring in the energy of how it feels to thrive, knowing we can find those emotions in so many ways. The moments of quiet and rest and even darkness can lead us to uncovering what is next—the next step, or as a mentor of mine calls it, “following the spiritual breadcrumbs.”
Following the flow of the universe, following my intuitive guidance, I am moving into what I will do with the rest of my life. There are unknowns, there is great curiosity, there is excitement, and yes, there is fear. But I also know I have no choice but to follow my inner guidance and to trust in what comes next.
Meditation, mindful practices, creativity, exploration have been passions of mine for the past 10+ years. Slowly it all comes together, many roads converging, forming a path forward. I am leaning into what excites me, and making choices aligned with my intuition and my spirit. How can each of us bring those practices into our lives on a daily basis? Live our lives more fully, reinvent ourselves as we enter into the last third of our lives.
For our time here is unknown, it is limited, and if we can touch one heart, one soul in the process, we have made an impact.
Ordained by One Spirit Interfaith Seminary and as a certified Interspiritual Counselor, I currently offer spiritual coaching and creativity sessions in person in my Bethany office, as well as by phone and Zoom.
You can learn more about me at: www.lauriingram.com or contact me by emailing lauri@lauriingram.com or calling 203.435.5650.