“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” ME
This quote is from a dear woman who needs to give herself credit for more strength inside than she knows she has, and more poetry. The beauty and joy are in the moment, if we can recognize it.
Today I had lovely napping to prepare for…lovely visits…and then more of the same. I hope I am getting the hang of the outside activities and the inside rests. Just enough and not too much, and well done when done well.
Thank you for all your comments. Have yourself a full breath, or a good cry, or a whoop of laughter, or whatever you need today.
Here is a lovely piece about the concept of holding space, or being present. Such interesting things come across the screen.
Peace,
Martha
Martha Illige 
Martha, I am enrolled in an e-course at gratefulness.org in which David Whyte, the poet, is in dialogue with Brother David Stendl-Rast, OSB. The first session considers the practice of whole-hearted living. One of the participants talks about his whole-hearted living in response to a terminal diagnosis. He reflects upon the Rilke poem which I copied and am sharing here and then his comments on the swan that Rilke talks about. This clumsy living that moves lumbering
as if in ropes through what is not done, reminds us of the awkward way the swan walks.
*And to die, which is the letting go* *of the ground we stand on and cling to every day,* *is like the swan, when he nervously lets himself down* *into the water, which receives him gaily* *and which flows joyfully under* *and after him, wave after wave,* *while the swan, unmoving and marvelously calm,* *is pleased to be carried, each moment more fully grown,* *more like a king, further and further on.* *Rilke– translated by Robert Bly* I am showing up whole-heartedly in the process that I am in navigating a terminal illness…. IPF….. In choosing to not pursue a lung transplant I have chosen a different path which will progress toward and to my death…. A primary reason for that choice is because I want to live my remaining days “wholeheartedly” — present, moment by moment…. in connection with others and with the divine unity of which I and we are a part. I loved in the reading the comparison to the swan…. on dry land a bit awkward waddling about…. who is drawn toward the elemental water…. the place she belongs….. and the easing into the water happening with a surrendering to it…. the allowing of something natural to occur as it wants to occur…. to allow processes to unfold as they are destined to unfold. That is precisely how I want to navigate this process of dying…. to have it be a process that opens me to the inherent nature of things…. my own and ours…..
I am grateful to you for showing me your whole-hearted living in the present moment. You are a anam cara and spiritual guide for me. Tender peace, Mel
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I hold space for you,especially today. I went this morning to my new primary care provider. I had
initially signed on with a company called IORA Primary care. My first visit there was with a female
physician,which I generally prefer,but she soon left ,after my first visit. Today I met with a guy. His
name is Josh Solot. Thought we might hit it off. He had read my record, and replied “Understand
you have a pug named Josh” The best part was in his recognition that he did his residency under
Dr Martha Illige. No real coincidences in life. He is young,and I like his personality. Life ,so
unexplainable at times. I feel assured he has been in good hands. I think of you daily.
Patient Janice James
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