It is easy for a fear to become so great that it shows up, you spend so much time thinking about it, then one day you see it in front of you, or someone tells you it is happening, perhaps unexpectedly, or maybe more accurately, just as you had expected.
I had a fear for a long time, it was a secret really, a secret fear of a long sickness and early death coming for me. Just as it had come for those in my family before me, my time would come and that was that. My acquiescence was highlighted to me most when around others, my replies to simple questions about family reflected back to me my fear, in their eyes, in their voice. And my fear would grow bigger and bigger.
My acceptance didn’t motivate me to live a fuller life as it does for some, Instead, it created a grief all its own, a grieving for a life before it was ended.
I resisted getting close to others and they close to me, what would be the point anyway? And what heartache I could save them and myself.
I grew weary of the sadness and decided, I could If I wanted to, join myself here and really be here with my life.
I don’t want to grieve for myself while I am here, I want to be here.
Maybe I would learn a new way, see something different, see a new world, find a new reality, a launching pad, a springboard into the unknown, but a better one than the known.
All the energy I put into protecting myself could now be spent enjoying myself. I could let go of the fear, and believe that I was responsible for my present and my future. I could let myself be loved, and love back with no fear and no expectation beyond right now.
Their story doesn’t have to be mine, but I must make my own story for it to be different, I see their footsteps ahead of me, and I turn and walk another way. I am no longer planning to be a victim, now I live. This is a new belief that is reflected to me, one I embrace with humility and faith in the future.
I will not ignore my vulnerability, but use it as a motivation to seek and heal and settle all that lies within my self, and surrounds, and move towards accepting that really, as others have told us and will continue to tell us – all we have is now. When explored, Now, is a whole experience, when truly surrendered to and really how ever long it is, if we continue to be here now, we will have forever, this is now my way forward and always.
The river flows freely, it cuts its own path, it does not look back, it is always now and forever. I am here and, I am ready to give love and receive love. Love me that is all.
Guest post from the fabulous Erin Murray, curator of Music to The Ocean And Beyond
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About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
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Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.