Sacred Space

Happy New Year!

After seeing many people on their deathbeds, healer Stephen Levine noted a common regret for time wasted, unrealized dreams, and disputes between family members never resolved. Levine decided to address these issues in his own life before it was too late, to live for a year as if it were his last.
 

The beginning of a new year is a time filled with transitions—out with the old and in with the new.  The beginning of the new year is often a good time to take inventory of our lives.  It is a time when we often make resolutions to lose weight, exercise, save more money, etc. 

I recently read the spiritual memoir Dharma Punx by Noah Levine.  In his book he describes his decision to engage in a period of transformation and healing.  Noah Levine is the son of author and teacher Stephen Levine who wrote A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as If It Were Your Last.  A Year to Live is a practice in living fully and mindfully for one year.

While reading Noah’s experiences on his spiritual path during his year-to-live practice, I thought about my own path.  If I had only one year left on earth, what would I do differently?  Do I need to do anything differently?

At first I thought it was a weird idea.  Living like I only had a year to live?  How morbid!  Yet, I understand the practice is not about death; it’s about living.  It is about mindfully living so that by the end of the year you are living more intensely and intently.  It’s all about adding more vibrancy to your life. 

I thought about it.  How much time and energy had I spent in toxic relationships with toxic people when I could have spent it with people who truly loved and cared about me?  If I left this earth right now, would the people who I love know just how much I love and care them?  Have I said everything I wanted to say to my loved ones?  Have I done everything I wanted to do for my loved ones?  Have I done everything I wanted to do for myself?  Would I be leaving behind any unfinished business?  Am I really living my life to the fullest?  Do I have any regrets?  Do I have any unrealized dreams?

After reading this memoir I decided I was going to embrace this year-to-live practice beginning January 1, 2007.  I am inviting anyone who wishes to join me to choose activities and relationships this year which celebrate life.  You are invited to live each day, each hour, each moment as if was your last. I cannot tell you how best to accomplish this.  Each of us must determine this for ourselves. Yet, I do know that we all know there may be some things, including people, in our lives that are not serving our highest good. Now is the time to release them, let them go, and start living your life to the fullest. Happy New Year! 

Peace & Blessings,

Rev. Sheila