BLESSINGS

Growing old takes a lot of courage, especially when faced with dimentia and loss of independance. I admire this in the elderly. They are very spiritual in the sense that they are at the end of this journey and are very aware of it. Working in a Nursing Home is a like a practical experience of spirituality in action. For instance, imagine feeling disoriented because you can't see very well or hear what's around you, or you just don't remember where you are or how you got here, or think you are where you are but you are stuck in a memory...another time. And a stranger walks into your room and tells you it's time to get up for breakfast. Your body is stiff and sore and you don't really understand what's going, you can't remember anything, or worse, you remember and wonder why you can't go home. but are helpless and unable to do anything about it. The fear and anxiety sets in. As usual I begin my morning getting people up out of bed, and washed and dressed for breakfast, starting at 7am. I look in on one old woman and see she is confused and worried and not sure of where she is or what she ought to be doing. She's blind and has only been with us for a few months. "I thought nobody would come and I was all alone," she says in a distraught voice. "Thank you for coming". I reassure her that she is never alone and we are always here. "Are you going to look after me"? she asks. Yes sweety, I'm going to look after you. "Oh you are a beautiful girl, I love you....we've known each other a long time haven't we...." she says. Yes, a very long time, I say. At that moment the exchange feels eternal, soul to soul and I just stay still with that awareness while looking into her eyes and there is a beautiful connection. She teaches me to come from truth, she reminds me who I am. For that moment there is no separation between old or young , no male or female, no nurse and patiient, no bodily titles, no ego. And the vision keeps extending out into the world. No race, no borders, no boundaries.....the soul is unlimited, When I become aware of myself as a soul , that very thought fills me with the vibration of peace. And very few words are needed after that, in a kind of sacred silence we carry on together and get ready for the day. OM SHANTI....I the soul am peaceful.