REBIRTH: A PROCESS OF HEALING AND GROWTH

A series of essays....

“LIKE MIST ROLLING INTO A DREAM...“
MAGGIE VALLEY, NORTH CAROLINA

....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E Hughes

“How can I begin anything new with all of yesterday in me?” —Leonard Cohen

Like mist rolling into a dream that gently wraps all thoughts, and each perspective within its opaque wisdom, life proceeds on a daily basis as we take baby steps along this abstract journey into the unknown. We struggle to stand, to walk, and to communicate with others while observIng and listenIng to their personal creation of the dance of life with each calculated breath that escapes their ruby-red lips.

We are infants morphing into our mature selves with so much exotic pain and exquisite joy accompanying our movements that we’ve been known to cry to the heavens either in shock or ecstasy at any given moment. During quieter days, we curl into ourselves and strategically fail to ask the question, “Why?” So deeply afraid of the answer, but with genuine appreciation for the minute respite, we know the realities of our yesterdays will ambush us once again, tomorrow.

All too swiftly, we become the adult form of our beautiful selves carrying the trappings of adulthood upon our shoulders like our Father once carried us, high above the snakes that slithered around his feet…making us feel tall and momentarily secure. Sadly, he let us down from that lofty place...in so many ways. Standing on our own, survival becomes imperative as we hopscotch our way between the serpents and manage incredible bites of sustenance in the form of hard work and play, coupled by profound moments of sweet, enduring love. Lovers, spouse, children, grandchildren line-up to create this undeniable bond of such magnitude and strength, we find ourselves completely blown away by its power!  

We become survivors. Like a flash of lightning in the evening sky, the electricity flows through our earthly bodies with such creative power that we, in turn, charge the world around us and continue the ebb and flow of eternal life. Alternately, the responsibility and power we hold within us becomes incalculable.

As powerful as life is, it can also be as precious and fragile as our newborn selves. We are dependent, to a certain degree, upon the circumstances surrounding us. When mishandled, not respected, either by ourselves or others, life can become a living hell; sucking the existence from within the soft shell of protection we cling to, our hopes, dreams, ideals evaporate in the foggy mist and our bodies are flung along the sandy beach like discarded seashells, unprotected from the mighty tide rolling in. 

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” —Leonard Cohen

We begin to understand how there is safety and progress in numbers; in like minds with ideals of equality swirling within our souls, searching for a better world for all. We are marching soldiers holding placards filled with symbols of justice and hope above our heads, for all to see and attempt to relate to. Our time here on earth together is fleeting and to pass hatred down from generation to generation is one of the most unscrupulous acts of negligence that should and must be eradicated in our lifetime. Heed the warnings, protest peacefully, and do not cease until the healing process begins to sweep away the loathing of others, the world over.

No longer rookies in this game of life, our baby steps have taken on the grand strides of strong, intelligent adults responsible for change, capable of healing, and striving for the growth and application of mindfulness. We are the grown-ups in the room now. May we always be responsible for our actions. The entire world is watching us.

“Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.” —Leonard Cohen

LEONARD COHEN: SINGER, SONGWRITER,
POET AND NOVELIST

Remain safe. Stay healthy.

Copyright © 2020 by Jacqueline E Hughes

All rights reserved

LIFE DOES GO ON

A series of essays.....

SUN RISING OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ALONG THE FLORIDA COAST

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
                                                                                                   ~Robert Frost

CITYSCAPE

Just when you think the sun will never rise again from the depths of a shimmering ocean horizon, the shadowy tree line surrounding a meadow of purple wildflowers, or a cement skyline while standing in the center of a towering cityscape.....it miraculously does. You ask yourself.....why?

Undoubtedly, it is the most difficult situation we humans will ever find ourselves experiencing. In the written words of Mr. Jim Harrison, in his novel The River Swimmer, the answer may be as simple as, "Humans are ill-prepared for the miraculous." Following heartbreak, "It's too much of a jolt and the human soul is not spacious enough to deal with it."

When deep despair shatters your world with its unjust cruelty, you feel that Hope has abandoned your life forever and the darkness that surrounds you is as complete and cold as a moonless Winter's night. The heaviness upon the heart is matched by the colossal weight of the tragedy or adversity that pushes down from above and offers to take your breath away.......releasing you from the horrors of life itself.

Release me now for what good is life if each breath I take creates more pain now that I know what pain is all about? You will ask yourself this over and over again. Day and night.

We take time-out from constant memory and pray that we can forget, even for a little while, and nap to rest our brain, our souls, for the moment. I pray you dream of peace and forgiveness. Eventually, they must come. However, tonight nightmares enfold you with reminders of hate and fear. This process is continuous and, seemingly, never ending.

You awaken perspiring yet chilled to the bone with no apparent recourse in sight. Do you remember that your own story is certainly not eternal as is the earth and any creature, human or otherwise? It is difficult for you to accept anything as it is presented to you. You understand that you must question the nature of everything as you know you must pull yourself back into the light and emerge from the darkness.

As an individual it is difficult to proceed and the general cruelty of life is too often overwhelming. Within a community you take solace in the strength of those around you. Those who often share the same fears but shed the burden of hate by coming together, holding hands, lighting candles, and by shear numbers alone know that the productiveness of life is miraculous, a gift granted to all who believe in life and all of its many miracles....

There are absolutely no excuses when it comes to taking an innocent life through a violent action whether it be in peacetime or war, through outright feelings of hatred or clinical depression, mild through severe, that requires immediate intervention. The possibility of stopping people from doing what they do to each other seems out of the question. We do not exist in a bubble, after all.

If we become a witness to your grief and our brains seem a little bruised by everything that has transpired and it becomes a burden of emotions, take our hand and walk us through your pain. I warn you....even a bystander should not suffer all alone. It will not go well. We are in this thing called life together and together we will make it through to the end.

And one day, as they lay you down to rest, others will see the urgency in getting on with their own lives. This desperation of mortality is always present when someone we know passes on.

"Life goes on. So, appreciate what you got. Life will hit you when you're not prepared. And one day, when you're gone.......Life will still go on."

                                                ~From the 1977 album entitled Sleepwalker by The Kinks.


This story is dedicated to the Beautiful People of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the surrounding area who have recently suffered the tragic and unconscionable loss of members of its community. I want you to know that we are holding your hands through the questions and the pain. JEH


Tomorrow is another day....

Kalamazoo Strong!


   
Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved