Dear readers,
It has been some time since my blog echoed with new thoughts; silence has taken its place, allowing me the solitude needed for deep reflection. Life, with its relentless intensity, can often engulf us, spinning us into a dizzying array of emotions.
The past few months have indeed been a tumultuous whirlwind, necessitating a pause in my writing.
During this break, I faced the loss of my beloved godmother, Harriett, whose death has carved a deep void in my heart.
Amid this sorrow, I confronted my own mortality. Age subtly makes its presence known, often revealing itself in unexpected ways.
I have learned, dear readers, that I now require hearing aids. The revelation of my hearing loss is a jarring reminder of the relentless march of time and the continuous, inevitable changes that come with it.
Yet, there is beauty in aging. Each new wrinkle, every grey hair, and yes, even the need for hearing aids, serve as markers of the wisdom and experiences accumulated through the years.
Accepting these changes has not been easy; it has demanded time, understanding, and patience. I have realized that haste does not facilitate recovery, either physical or spiritual.
As I now return to the familiar territory of saints and cigarettes, I warmly invite you to rejoin me on this journey as I strive to find my balance once again.
Yours in words, Christine
Each of us, regardless of where we stand on the vast spectrum of life, carries baggage of varying weight and significance. The burdens we bear take many forms: physically, they manifest as tangible mementos from our past; emotionally, as echoes of experiences lived; and psychologically, as the lingering aftershocks of relationships that have come undone. This baggage, harvested from our life's journey, integrates deeply into our identity, sculpting who we become and steering the paths we choose.
As we transition from one place to another, we face the daunting task of condensing our entire lives into cardboard boxes and suitcases. The beloved books, photographs of timeless moments, cherished trinkets—all carry fragments of our past, each piece a shard of our essence. In gathering these items, we collect not just objects but moments, crafting a physical mosaic of our growth and experiences.
Consider the tangible weight of physical baggage. It is measurable, substantial. You can grasp a suitcase, feeling its heft in your palms, aware of its load. When it grows too heavy, it's within your power to lighten it. From a cherished trinket to a favourite t-shirt, from an indispensable book—these are the personal treasures we cannot leave behind as we embark on new adventures.
Yet, the other forms of baggage we carry—the emotional and psychological burdens—are more elusive, often intangible and weightless. These burdens are deeper, more complex, and linger longer than welcome.
What we carry mentally and emotionally is distinct to each of us. The remnants of a broken heart, the faded echoes of past losses, the sharp shards of trauma—these comprise our mental luggage. This unseen baggage shapes our lives in subtle yet profound ways, influencing our decisions and defining our future paths.
Intriguingly, this mental baggage manifests in how we relate to others. Our interactions, connections, and communication are deeply influenced by the emotional baggage we hold. Whether heavy or light, it molds our perspectives on life and love, sometimes erecting barriers too subtle for us to see.
To be human is to carry baggage.
For some, it is a light accessory, merely accompanying them on their journey; for others, it is a burden that bends their backs, breaking their spirits under its weight.
The more profound aspects of our baggage are not always visible. They are the scars etched into our souls by our past, resilient yet subtly altering how we view and engage with the world. Every role we've played, every peak and trough we've navigated, adds to the weight of our lived experiences—moments of joy, grief, conflict, triumph, loss, and all the in-betweens.
And yet, the heaviest load we bear is often our psychological baggage. The remnants of failed relationships leave enduring marks: arguments that dwindled into silence, betrayals spawned from shattered trust, heartaches that tested our resilience—all accumulate, forming a significant psychic load we carry onward.
What I've come to realize, though heavy and daunting, this baggage is not inherently negative. When acknowledged, unpacked, and thoughtfully sorted, our baggage can offer profound insights, revealing patterns that fuel our growth and lead to self-discovery.
*For my fellow book lovers, this piece was directly inspired by Albert S. Rossi's meditation in Becoming A Healing Presence, particularly chapter 5, titled 'Gentleness as a Mindset'.
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