Things I’ll maintain in the next life

May 26, 2020

'This time will pass' has always been one of my mother's favourite sayings and she has many let me tell you! 

I think it's a really important phrase which helps me to understand and rationalise the feelings I'm currently feeling around - this time we find ourselves currently within - that this time won't be forever and that although being mindful is all about keeping within the present it's also important to want these raw or irrational feelings about what is going on - to pass forward and move away from us in order to keep our present minds more able to focus on keeping calm and breathing.
I've been thinking about how I've lived in the past, how I'm coping with the day to day of trying to be present and of course, being me I've also been thinking about hopes for the future and being fully alive and fully aware like I always have been. 

Looking back at this poem I think what I was trying to say is more real now than it ever was then...

Things I'll maintain in the next life

I’ll be my own hero and guru at the same time
I’ll listen to my own gut and feed it things that keep it sharp
I’ll shake hands firmly in new encounters and help children do the same
I’ll continue my policy of borrowing as little as possible 
of anyone else’s time, energy, other…
I’ll always stick to the rules when pulling on a wishbone
I’ll sleep, sleep, sleep and sleep again for sleep is my retreat
I’ll kiss who I want to kiss and do it proudly right upon their lips
I’ll offer mints to all and sundry for no-one likes bad breath
I’ll eat fresh garlic for its health benefits and parsley to counteract its wreak
I’ll write my own great death and live my own great life
I’ll play like the child I always was and always will be
I’ll love fiercely, wholly, wildly and tenderly
I’ll always protect the underdog
I’ll never respect the bully
I’ll show humility whenever and wherever I possibly can
I’ll share my strengths and vulnerabilities in equal measure
I’ll keep up my greatest quality of eternally being human
I’ll feel every sensation I’ve ever felt in exactly the same way
I’ll just take time to be me

- Maria Cairnie


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