
Our zest for life...
When we are born with every day we step one day closer to our death. As children we have no concept of death, only life. Each day something new to learn and explore, a new bug in the grass, a new friend made, a new experience. Life is full of firsts.
We feel safe and loved within our family’s bosom (for most) and we are held in that cocoon till our teenage years when hormones and rebellion kicks in as we strive to forge our own path and define our own personalities.
The love bubble of we can no do wrong bursts, as we no longer the apple of our families eyes, turns into the shame stain upon the family name. We, arrogant and stubborn, determined to sail our own ships shove the pain of rejection into the gallows and sail off for adventures new. The first real understanding of death and rebirth.
We set out on our careers, or at least search for one, some driven by money, others by purpose. Here we encounter many trials from asshole boss to peer pressure and self defamation. Thoughts of survival begin to creep in here.
Soon there is a spouse, a child, a home, extended family and stress. The burden of sustainability, responsibility and good health plays on our minds daily. We join a gym, eat healthier, create fun times and try stave the worries from our minds.
Each day a reminder that we are one step closer to the grave but now we have our own family to consider and the loss we leave behind. Death/life intertwined like a tango in our minds.
Our children leave, their own ships to sail. Now we are alone and chase our own dreams that were put to the side long ago. And those heavy bags we left in the gallows surface for us to deal with.
Some days we long for death to take away the pain, others we embrace life with both hands and thank the Goddess we are alive.
Illness sets in, something small at first we brush aside, denying that our days are numbered and that rebel inside says, ‘not yet there’s too much to do and see‘, and captain invincible carrys on as usual, ignoring the signs. Denial sets in.
Our older years sees our friends and family drop like flies, death is now real and we are on the wrong side, life is fading, how long will we last?
We reflect on our lives. The pain, the laughter, the love, the moments. No matter how painful the memories we cling to life, with all its hardships, sadness and loss. We treasure the joys, the simple things, the soul bonds of love, the sunsets the flowers, the pets we loved and lost, the friendships, the kindness, the sea, the mountains, the trees, nature our planet.
Even with a life threatening diagnosis, terminal, means fight harder for this sacred gift of life. How much did we squander dueling with the past?
The questions we ask ~ Why are we born to be taken so fast?, why can’t this life simply last? and When we take that final breath, is it really the end?

Mitakuye Oyasin
Namaste
Blessings.
Maria Wind Talker <3