What is reasonable to expect if we cultivate in ourselves constant unrest and fatigue?
How does a qualitative life engage and dance with us? Without some fundamental practices in self caring and boundary maintenance, we can be assured we will miss the lion's share of what is essential in being able to live a full and healthy life. Without a basic understanding and appreciation for our life being divine and a gift to the world, we can miss what we could do to make our lives fulfilling.
Hafiz seems to suggest here that it will be up to us to invite peace into our lives and our world and it will begin with our own self caring. If we do not care about ourselves, no energy can support us in loving ways. If we don't care about ourselves, we can't show up ready, willing and able for anything truly satisfying. We won't even notice it being within our grasp.
Thank you for listening.
Music: I was led to this song, Good to Be Alive Today, by Michael Franti & Spearhead. It is the kind of song that can sweep a person into wanting to live their best life in spite of all the chaos and suffering. This song reminds me that I chose and continue to choose to be in this body, at this age, in this life, living in these times and it is, despite it all, good to be alive. Give a listen and you might feel this, too. The world needs us but we have to need it, too.
Some people tryna look fly, some people tryna get high
Some people losing their mind, some people tryna get by
And when you look in my eyes, you'll see the sign of the times
We all looking for the same thing
The original post in this series of poems by Hafiz (including an addendum regarding the authenticity of these poems) can be found here.
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz and translated by Daniel Ladinsky can be purchased here.