The prolific and powerful American poet Emily Dickenson had a lot to say about life and death. It breaks my heart that most of her beautiful words didn’t reach the hearts and minds of readers until after she had left this world, but what a blessing they are nonetheless. So many of her poems continue to live by breathing life into the pages of historical literature.
“To live is so startling, it leaves little time for anything else,” she once said.
Indeed, life can take us by surprise in so many powerful ways if we let it. Sometimes I fear we are our own stopping points because we think don’t have time to stop and take notice about the life all around us. In 2001, a very nervous 15-year-old girl made her way onto a very large stage to take notice. She shared the following words with the crowd that day:
Savor the miracle of creation
Create a day with no regrets
Regret only the unforgiven
Forgive your loved ones for not being perfect
Perfect your ability to smile
Smile at everyone you love
Love even those who have become frail
Frailty is just another part of life
Live today as an unexpected journey
Journey through life with courage
Encourage someone who needs light
Lighten up the room with a laugh
Laugh through the tough times…
It keeps you from crying
Whatever you do in this life
Always remember that somewhere out there
Someone is loving you
I’m so blessed to have a forever mom who (at the tender age of 15-years-0ld) published these beautiful words she called “The Chronicles of Life.” She won an award that night on stage, and I it is one of my biggest wishes in life I could have been there to see her so happy. So full of life.
But as I am not in the habit of living with regrets (especially over things I can’t control), I instead share these words with the world on a day when Sarah Ban Breathnach encourages us in Simple Abundance to ponder life’s simplest of mysteries.
“And there is certainly enough mystery to ponder—such as the mystery of what will happen next,” Breathnach writes. “But instead of worrying or obsessing, you decide to just let go and see what occurs. You choose to take joy in your real life as it unfolds day by day, hour by hour, a heartbeat at a time.” Startling as it may be dear Emily, life is most definitely worth living one heartbeat at a time.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Oh Wiley. You did it again. Your words are the perfect balm for me right now as I head off to bed. Your forever mom has a beautiful heart and mind,and her speech was amazing. You lucky dog! Thanks for the perfect bedtime thought. I shall dream of the mystery of what will happen next! XO
Dear Diane….You did it again. Your words are reason to write my words on a daily basis. Thank you. Lots of love and hugs and all kinds of happy thoughts to you!
You are such a wise and well-read pup sweet Wiley!
Dear Julianne! You are wise and appreciated. Thank you for being you. 🙂
Wiley, you and the old woman Slow were on the same track tonight! Beautiful…(and I love the picture of you!)
I love when I’m on the same page as the “old woman Slow.” I never find her to be slow though….just so she knows that. 🙂 Thanks for the compliment on the picture. I try… 🙂
Hi big friend I nominated you for an award! You are my first favorite you know! 🙂
Hey pal! You nominated me for the Best Moment Award!!!? I love that idea! You are so special to me. 🙂
#1 Diannegrace2013 said it just right, Wiley. Nice! Give your Mom a hug from us, please. 🙂
Oh, and yourself and your Dad, too! 🙂
I love Diane and you. And the boys. You are all so special to me. Lots of hugs from mom and dad and I to you, Diane, and all your canine and feline pals. Love!!! WIles.
It’s wonderful… and I agree, somewhere out there someone is loving you… Thanks for another great post Wiley :o)
I too love the idea its so fabulous someone out there is loving you. I’m among those that love you. 🙂
Those are very powerful words. I like knowing that someone out there is loving me.
You are loved by me. 🙂 So there’s that.
Wiley, you must take after your Mom. She was a deep thinker even when she was too little to be a deep thinker. I am happy you can both share happy, positive, thoughts that make people feel better and be better. xoxo
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Cupcake, You are such a sweetie. I am so blessed that I can share happy, positive thoughts that make people feel better. Xoxo. Love, Wiles.
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Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
A 15-year-old girl tells us the Chronicles of Life. I think she nailed it.