Live Like It's Heaven on Earth

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth." — Mark Twain

Yesterday was Earth Day so I decided to go to my favorite place—the garden. Once there I pulled out my iPod, inserted the ear plugs in my ears and turned on the meditative music. I grabbed my inner child’s hand and off we went across the Bridge of Understanding to the labyrinth. What a magnificent scene lay ahead of me. The weather was perfect, the garden was perfect and so was I. As I went to step into the labyrinth for my meditative walk, Michael Jackson’s song, The Man in the Mirror, blasted into my ears. Not knowing what happened to the soft, sweet sound I was listening to, I reached to change the music when my inner child said, “Let it be.”

Instead of my usual slow walk with my hands held at my side, I danced through the twisted path with my whole body moving to the beat. By the time I reached the circle, I was in full swing of the music--alive with an energy that pushed the stress out of my body, mind and soul. I danced in the circle as if no one was watching. My spirit was one with nature and my inner child was egging me to be me. Finally, when the music stopped, I faced each of the four directional signs and gave thanks to the Creator for our beautiful planet and the resources she constantly give us for our survival. I looked across at the green grass, the tall trees, and  the pond with the geese, turtles and frogs and knew for that moment in time I was lost in a space that is neither here or there; I was everywhere and everything.

I danced out of the labyrinth, and then stood on a nearby rock and lifted my arms to Father Sky as people walked by. Oh yeah, I danced a few more steps before skipping down the path with my inner child in hand. I was living like it was heaven on Earth.

The Bridge to Understanding

Has spring really sprung or is this a teaser of what is to come? I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and walk in my favorite garden that has a labyrinth. After a very harsh winter, I was really looking forward to soaking up some natural vitamin D and just being in nature.

To reach the labyrinth, I had to leave the main path and cross over a small bridge. Upon approaching the bridge, I noticed that the old one had been recently replaced. On the wooden handrail was a plaque that said, The Bridge to Understanding.

With that thought in mind, I walked the labyrinth thinking about my latest concern—aging. I’m often told that I don’t look my age, a baby boomer, at least twenty years younger. Nevertheless, my body, mind and spirit tell me something totally different with a new ache in the body or several new gray stands of hair. Where did they come from so fast? It seemed like yesterday I was the young girl riding my bike and letting the wind blow through my long thick, black hair. And now I can’t turn on the TV without noticing the increasing amount of advertisements dealing with anti-aging. Do I really want to go against the natural changes occurring in my body and consciousness?  

Halfway through the walk, my inner voice reminded me that wherever I am in life is where I am supposed to be. It’s all part of the cycle of life of change. The faster I can accept that truth, the better life will be. The answer to my question about aging---I want to age gracefully by doing what’s healthy and best for my body, mind and spirit and not get caught up in this anti-aging fad. We can be healthy and look beautiful no matter what age we are, if we take care of ourselves. I do have to confess, I have great genes. My father, who is 85yrs old, looks twenty years younger also.    

I finished my walk, and as I approached the Bridge to Understanding, I was grateful for the insight I had received.