Saturday, March 4, 2023

You too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.

At a recent Sunday gathering at Starcross a poem titled When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver (1935 - 2019) was shared,

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines

they give off such things of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their lives

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine.”

Mary Oliver’s poem encourages me to keep working on living more simply in my current stage in this journey of life. It isn’t easy for me to take the time to focus on the moment, and I must confess that I do hold all of the traits of a first-born child: Goal-oriented, outspoken, stubborn, independent, and perfectionistic. My parents were very hard working and to them it seemed wrong not to accomplish a great deal each day. I acquired that trait as well. In school, in work, in whatever I took on, I did it with full energy and with the influence of all the traits which I listed.

Now that I am in my “golden years” I have slowed a good deal; not necessarily by choice, but in many ways it is a blessing. Not to say that I don’t succumb to taking on more than I should, but I am doing that less often. Slowly but surely I realize that if I try to take on too much my blood pressure goes up, my efficiency goes way down, accidents and mistakes occur — basically, saying yes too often is definitely not a good idea. It never was, but I’ve been slow to learn that.

At last I am realizing that doing one thing at a time, focusing on it and finding the pleasure in it, nurtures me rather than exhausts me. Whether it is making a meal, going for a walk, having a conversation, helping someone, housework, gardening, or even writing a reflection, doing it with full focus brings the pleasure of a task done with care and without pressure.

No cut finger when chopping, no tuning out with thoughts about all I should be doing instead of having a focused conversation or finding the pleasure in helping someone, no breaking a vase when dusting, no slips with the pruning shears or getting writer’s block because too many thoughts and worries interfere.

I wish I’d had this insight when I was so “busy.” Admittedly, I’m not completely over feeling like I should have accomplished more each day. But I am improving at “getting over it” pretty quickly. If I had taken the time to listen more, been willing to allow others to help more, slowed enough to appreciate the little joys in each task more, I would be more like those calm, wise people whom I so admire; those who deeply enjoy every facet of the life they are given.

In closing, the Shaker song, Simple Gifts, gives us a delightful reminder of the joy in a simple life:

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free

’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be

And when we find ourselves in the place just right

‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained

To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed

To turn, turn will be our delight

‘Till by turning, turning we come round right.

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free

’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be

And when we find ourselves in the place just right

‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

So, let’s listen to the trees and “go easy, be filled with light, and shine.” Then, maybe we too can live simply, find delight and “come round right”.

Barbara

Barbara Johannes is a long-time member of the Starcross Advisory Committee and an active assistant at the Starcross Food Pantry.