My dear friends…
Life is so very short. A social acquaintance of mine died this week, and while we are not close, the man’s death at 56 is startling to the system. He died of a rare disease that was only diagnosed in February. And so, I am left sitting here today with yet another reminder of how tenuous life really is.
There was that terrible commuter train accident in Washington, D.C. the other day. People killed instantly. Then, before that, the Air France flight that abruptly dropped out of the sky.
And on Thursday, The King of Pop, and the Queen of the Angels.
Then Wednesday of this week a bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded in the Sadr City section of Baghdad, killing at least 60 people in a market filled with shoppers, according to a report in The New York Times. The report went on to say that it was the third bombing in two weeks to cause “double-digit casualties” in Shiite communities in Iraq.
People — ordinary, everyday people, not enemy combatants — go to the market and never come home. Or get on an airplane and never come home. Or contract a mysterious, extremely rare disease and never leave home again.
And life, itself, is just that tenuous. We think we have forever, and we do not.
Now I don’t mean to be dark here, or maudlin, but I know that I have been awakened this past few days, once again, to the reality that our lives are very, very short — and can end in any moment.
What that does for me is create a different context within which I consider the choices and decisions of my everyday life. How much time do I want to spend with my wife and my family? What do I choose to do with the days and times of my “professional” life? What is the purpose of the things that I do hour by hour…including writing this Bulletin every week? What is the purpose of life itself?
As you all know, I have ideas about all of these things. Ideas that I believe have been given me by God, in a series on conversations that began nearly 14 years ago. I’m going to discuss some of those ideas with you here in the weeks ahead…just for the sake of review. I want to take a look at them again, and see how they feel and how they fit into my life today. Or, better yet, how my life today fits into those ideas. Because here’s the story: I’m not sure that I’m living the ideas that I have been given and have, in turn, presented to the world. So I want to look at those ideas, and see how, if we believe them, we could all more closely embrace them, and more fully enact them, in our day-to-day experience.
One thing I know is that I do not want to have anything wasted. I mean, it feels as if I have “no time to lose” — that if my life is going to have meant something, I need to get moving, right now, on creating what it is going to mean.
This drives me to the central question of all of existence: what is the reason that we are here, upon the earth? Who are we, really, and what are we doing here? We’ll begin there next week. If you have your own thoughts on this subject that you’d like to share, write to NealeDWalsch@aol.com. In the meantime, make this a very, very wonderful day. And look to see what you think of doing when you think of making it that. What comes up for you? What is your first idea about how that might occur?
As we ponder this together, enjoy the week ahead.
Love and Hugs,
Neale.
Neale Donald Walsch, the #1 best selling author of the Conversations with God series, devotes his time to sharing the messages of his books through writing, lecturing, and facilitating spiritual renewal retreats. The creator of the School of the New Spirituality and founder of The Group of 1000, a nonprofit organization supporting global spiritual awakening, he lives in Ashland, Oregon.
For more information on the ReCreation Foundation.
Click here for a complete bibliography of his books
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t spend your life waiting for the ‘right time’. It’s a myth. If you’re breathing, it’s the right time. This doesn’t mean be irresponsible or stupid, it means don’t waste years waiting for the planets to align perfectly. The ‘right time’ excuse is merely a form of procrastination.
Sadly for many people life is just too long. Please don’t come hawking you bippity boppity Polyanna serendipity anymore. Keep your own counsel. You only know so much, and that is just enough for you.
Dear Craig -
Since you are one of the busiest people on the planet, I appreciate your coming over and leaving a comment.
This is especially true -
The ‘right time’ excuse is merely a form of procrastination.”
Love your blog. Never miss it. Especially when you veer off your usual path and write funny ones like
“25 Things You Blokes (Probably) Won’t Hear From Your Lady.”
Personally, I think I deserved at least an honorable mention in your contest for the 26th.
Dear Chris -
Been wondering where you have been, especially since I have been writing a series on media which is your expertise.
Can I take that as a sign of approval?
Knowing you, I can understand your suspicion of Walsch’s “Source.”
But the content within his books is not too different from your viewpoint. Have you read them?
Would like to see you expand your comment. Maybe another guest post?
Anyway, welcome home! You were missed.
Dear Corinne,
The same day this posted, a friend phoned to say
the results of her oncology appointment.
She had found out last month she has cancer.
On this day she saw her doctor he said….
you have 3 -4 months to live.
I do know ‘life is so short’. In July of 2001 I lost
my childhood best friend. She was 42.
The friend who was given the terminal diagnosis, is an online friend. We belong to a mutual online group.
Today I asked friends to send me 8×8 squares of fabric
so I can make her a quilt. I told my friends it’s all I can
think of to wrap her in our love.
Thank you for the post.
Ohhhhhhhh she also went to see her family doctor
on the same day. A long trusted doctor, he said to her…
‘forget chemo – get in your camper and GO’
xo xo
Deb
Hello Corinne,
Your posts on media were just too close to work for me although I imagine hundreds of people have found them invaluable.
I have had a copy of Neale’s book for some years and the dialogue it describes is an interesting phenomena.
I was ungracious in my comments to him. I don’t know what came over me.
What continues to interest me is the numerous wise people who teach just in living their lives. They seek no payment or acclaim. There is one in everyone’s neighbourhood. You just have to recognise them. They don’t want you to follow them. They don’t want to sell you anything.
It’s time to dismantle the god industry.
I totally agree with Chris and thanks for making those statements. I don’t believe in a god and I certainly don’t believe that this author has conversations with “god” …
Let’s do dismantle the industry .. read Hitchens’s book on this matter – or just listen to George Carlin. He really saw this sham what it is … wake up folks … we are all god –
the spirit of love lives within all of us … and the golden rule is enough for me … What does it take to wake up and see that these are just businesses … catholic church being the first and the worst …. don’t follow anyone — look into your own soul and find your own light . I’m so sick of this !!!! I am amazed that otherwise intelligent, successful people still belive this
voo-doo.
Hi Chris -
I think the “God industry” is starting to dismantle itself. The emphasis I see in the new books is now how to be happy. And to spread it around..
There was a book several years ago that made a big impression on me.
Random Acts of Kindness by The Editors of Conari Press, Dawna Markova, and Daphne Rose Kingma.
It was about anonymous kind acts such as putting a coin in an expired parking meter just as the cop was about to write a ticket.
Or paying the toll for the car behind you on the highway.
(The “acts’ did not count if the people knew you)
As you said, there are many -
“numerous wise people who teach just in living their lives. They seek no payment or acclaim.”
Something to emulate for all of us.
That is putting feet to your prayers and to me it is “God.”
Dear Lily Rose -
Well, we never have to figure out what your opinion is when you make a comment! Love it.
“I don’t believe in a god and I certainly don’t believe that this author has conversations with “god” …
I think we all have messages from “god” but some of us are so turned off by the thought of this elderly and grumpy man up there keeping a list if we are naughty or nice.
But there is something. And I believe we are connected and there is wisdom if we listen.
Dear Deb -
I am sorry about your friend. I lost my closest friend of 40 years last year. It still leaves such a hole in my life.
After the suffering I saw her go through with all the treatments – which did not help one bit – I am grateful to doctors who advise – Get in your camper and GO!
Making her a quilt will comfort her and you in the making of it.
Hang in there. It is not going to get better for a long time. (Sorry)
But I would not have my dear friend back here suffering. I was relieved to see her out of it.
I listen Corinne, I watched almost everyone of your shows on
Wisdom and read hundreds (not as many as you did) of self-help/spiritual books (and all of yours). I have taken many business seminars on either 7 ot 10 steps on how to become a perfect person and you know what? When the hair on the back of my neck stands up – or my hands get clammy – I’m gone. (I use this method in a cab all the time!)
I did read Walsh’s book and still don’t believe it … some others, yes, this guy -no. I listen to my body .. it gets there before my mind and spirit. To each his own and my taste is for the wonderful Thomas Moore – who does NOT have all the answers. I suggest you do something with him. I have met him and I know you have interviewed him.
He has a gentle way of accepting and embracing both the dark side and the light side. His book “The Dark Nights of the Soul ” has a permanent residence on my night stand.
This guy doesn’t do “Happy Talk” or give out that re-hash “The Secret” …. he says life has both sides and the dark is there as a teacher and how about embracing it. And he doesn’t have “7 Reasons /Steps”why you should buy his book!!!! Life has a hard side and he doesn’t abandon it. H suggests we embrace it.
The dark side has been my great teacher and I don’t run from it any longer. I just pick up that book and really see the beauty in my pain. The magically – it becomes my friend – and then after a time goes away!!! We really don’t “live happily ever after”. Moore’s book should be taught to every kid over the age of reason. And we need to permanently erase the word “victim” and insert “student”!!
I studied Kaballah for a few years and I once asked my rabbi –
“Why are we here?” — and he said
“To get better”.
Dear Lily Rose -
I loved this -
“I studied Kaballah for a few years and I once asked my rabbi –
“Why are we here?” — and he said
“To get better”.
I guess that says it all.
Thomas Moore did not give too many interviews. He is essentially a shy person.
I was very complimented when he came back to me after each one of his books. He told me I made him feel comfortable.
He is truly a holy man – and so honest. Originally, as you know he was a monk – and then left to marry and have children.
I once asked him if he was eccentric and he said, “Yes”
How great is that? No pretenses at all. I love that man.
And YOU’RE not eccentric? Eccentrics are always the creatives in any society…. the rest are sheep!!
Who – ME????
What is the meaning of our lives and why are we here? I believe the answer to this universal riddle is contained in the following words by John Dunne: “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main…any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls: It tolls for thee!”
These words resonate profoundly with me, especially, “any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind….” That one insight answers the question for me…why are we here ; what is the meaning of life? Because any man’ death diminishes me, I am here to try to make a meaningful difference in any man’s life before it is too late. “The bell tolls” reminding me time is moving on so “get on with it!!
Indeed, when I sense I may have made a maningful difference in another life, my life is embellished and my heart rings out in song!!
Readers interested in Thomas Moore’s work are invited to visit Barque, a blog dedicated to him, at http://barque.blogspot.com. It links to a free forum where members are encouraged to share their reactions and reflections about Moore’s writings, including his most recent book, Writing in the Sand: Jesus and the Soul of the Gospels. Moore is a member of Barque and he occasionally posts comments. Join us.
Barque´s last blog ..Pastoral counseling list includes Moore’s books
Dear Barque -
How nice of you to come over and give us all this great information. Lily Rose is going to be very interested. As I am.
I don’t know if you ever see Thomas or speak to him – but if you do – tell him I love him!
Dear Reed -
As usual, a beautiful and inspiring response from you.
This might be my favorite quote.
“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main…any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls: It tolls for thee!”
Thanks for the reminder!
I think your life certainly reflects it. You are always ready to put out your hand – especially to the young people who need your business wisdom and patience.
Corinne, Didn’t you interview Thomas several times? I remember you saying that he rarely gave interviews but made an exception
for you.
This latest book sounds real “churchy” to me – but his writing aren’t –
I love his ambiguity. I recommend your “guest” at least check him out.
Corinne,
Wow! It’s been awhile since I read Neale’s series and I haven’t read the “Companion” book. I love his insights and I do believe he is getting his information from God, but not the God we were all taught in church or in the Bible. Life is fragile and we shouldn’t waste it on minutiae. And we should all listen better so we can hear what He has to say to us.
I believe that we are here to learn and get better. I believe in reincarnation as well, but I haven’t decided how I think it works. Each of our souls is our piece of God. God is manifested in the superposition of Himself within each of us and we are all, therefore, creators. A lot of you will read this and ask what mental hospital you should send my get well card to, but bare with me, this is based in real scientific fact.
You know from reading my blog that I have an extremely eccentric view of who and what “God” is; based on quantum physics. You can read my post about it here: http://beingthechangeiwishtosee.com/461/religion-and-gods-existence/
As they used to say in Latin “Carpe Diem” (seize the day).
Sherri
Being the Change I Wish to See – Sherri´s last blog ..A Moment of Geek Date