Over the course of this winter some very good friends are working on creating lists for themselves by addressing the questions “What did they hope to accomplish with their life?” and, “What will they regret not doing if they should die without doing it?”
Reading emails from a couple of these friends I was reminded of something.
The thing I was reminded of was those moments right after the realization that nothing else will be done. This realization can come shortly before organic death, or it can be minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even longer. Whatever the timing, there will come a moment when we realize our capacity for getting any real work done is kaput.
I believe that when this time comes it is important to assess with a clear heart the results of one’s life. Accept with gratitude that which one has been able to accomplish. And, take onto one’s self a clear vision of that which one has not accomplished.
Let’s assume that one has on their list of wishes something along the lines of “be with others with a caring and open heart.”
Let’s further assume that on your death bed your assessment is that you fell short of this goal.
I am suggesting that if you can hold a clear vision of this wish along with guiltless regret that you did not accomplish it, that you can use this as fuel to thrust you in the direction of a next incarnation that will be on the path toward achievement of that goal.
Reviewing the above, I come across the statement: “Whatever the timing, there will come a moment when we realize our capacity for getting any real work done is kaput.” It occurs to me that this sentence holds both a truth and a lie. The truth is that there will come a moment when we realize our capacity for getting any real work done is kaput. The lie is that we cannot get any real work done at that time. Who is to say how much work can be accomplished even though you haven’t the capacity.
In the words of Commander Peter Quincy Taggert: never give up, never surrender.