This painful process indicates: the dragon is dead.
That inferiority complex we held onto
That peer pressure we buckled under craving acceptance
That excuse we used for the non-utilization of our talents
That pointed finger we raised at everyone else as the reason for our failure
Works no longer, and we come face to face with loneliness, and the tribute it demands if we do not master it.
Whoever severs without turning back finds immense joy and peace: They discover the keys to happiness. They become as Socrates once said, true to themselves.
"It hurts," the woman screamed. "It hurts."
"What did you expect?"
"I didn't expect this. I thought everyone would go along with me."
"They have other things to accomplish."
"Will I see them again?"
"You might or you might not see them again."
"It hurts," the woman cried, her eyes overflowing with tears.
The people walked past her and waved goodbye. Some had accompanied her for many miles on the journey. They were family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. They had encouraged her. Now, they stood at the path that divided into several directions, and the woman stood at her path alone. None of them stood with her: It hurt.
Sail on silver girl,
Sail on by,
Your time has come to fly
All your dreams are on their way,
See how they fly. (1)
"Are you ready to set sail?"
"I'm not certain anymore. At first I thought it would be great to fulfill my purpose, but you didn't tell me I would have to give up people."
"Severing as you prepare to live out your purpose will always demand that you say goodbye."
"Why?"
"Are you ready to set sail?"
"Where are the others going?"
"That is not for you to know."
"But I want to know; I demand to know."
"Are you ready to set sail?"
"Does that mean you're not going to tell me?"
"Would you like to stay here?"
"No," she screamed. "I just want some bloody answers before I set sail."
The woman watched as the people began to disappear on the divided path that led into different directions, and she cried: The guide waited until she dried her tears.
"Are you ready to set sail?"
"Yes. Let's move on. Now I know."
"Would you like to tell me what you know?"
"Everything must change: Nothing remains the same," the woman replied.
Sail on silver girl,
Sail on by,
Your time has come to fly
All your dreams are on their way,
See how they fly. (2)
Ciao,
Pat Garcia
Sail On Silver Girl, refrain from Simon & Garfunkel's, Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970
How true, everything must change, almost continually, and we must make these decisions alone, or at best with a loved one. Your way of presenting this is very good, Pat. Thank you! Much love to you!
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning you said, "We become true friends first to ourselves and then to others." I think this is so true. A person who is truly comfortable with themselves is someone more likely to be comfortable with others. Accepting and not judging - isn't that what we all want in a friend?
ReplyDeleteExcellent Pat, I really hope you are going to compile these as a work of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Laurie
As always dear friend, this is a fabulous post. Somehow, it ALMOST feels like it was written to me. I love your thinking and your heart!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a pleasure to re-read Patricia thank you. I know that that song was in my head most of yesterday evening! She was a wise woman who knows that everything changes, nothing is static even if it seems so sometimes.
ReplyDelete'We come to terms with accepting ourselves: We become true friends first to ourselves and then to others'. Wise words indeed. Be true to yourself, know yourself, you will be a better friend for it.
Thank you!
Patricia, I was just thinking about a childhood friend I had a falling out with a few years ending in separation. I wondered if God wanted me to try and repair the damage she did by going to her. But because she is so difficult our relationship has become toxic to me. Thanks for writing this as you just gave me the answer as to how to handle the as it was weighing on my heart. I do love her, I just can't be around her. This is another amazing , thoughtful piece of great writing.
ReplyDeleteLove, Micki