Most of us are surprised when a family member, a friend or a partner gets sick. It seems like it always catches us off guard. No matter how much we know we will all get sick and die one day, we keep pretending like it will not happen and then are very surprised when it does. The awareness of the fact that we are here temporarily, helps me stay in touch with the present moment but also helps me remember that it is not forever.
There is a great Buddhist practice using our breath as a reminder. I inhale, I am alive, I exhale, I die. In and out. Every moment.
There is a Jewish prayer before we go to sleep: “Hamaapil” where we call for God to protect us in our sleep (when we sleep, we “die”) and when we wake up, we pray “Mode Ani”. We are thankful for waking to another day.
These are all great tools to help us remember and live a full life. Not to scare us. So when we do get sick, we are not so afraid. What makes you scared?
Happy week!
Yael
Thanks for this advice, as you know from our chat that this hits home for me. I was just doing that very breathing thought exercise in bed this morning. Stay well and much love to you and the team.
Enjoyed your advice.
Thank you for sharing this blessing❤️I would add, that while here temporarily, be as beautiful as the creator intended (Alembika comes to mind)!!!
Yael from the Blue note?
So true it hit home thx for your thoughtfulness t let us know how to live a better life.Barbara I miss you😍