The Really Big Gift of Life

A winter morning in Waikik

Good Morning, God!

It’s a chilly morning here in Honolulu — 64 degrees! People in the Midwest would laugh. They have perspective that we in Hawaii lack. Hmm. Perhaps the entire Western World lacks perspective. We have so much . . . but how much time do we spend being aware, thankful, grateful?

When I worked at a retirement residence, helping people learn to use the Internet, I came to realize that LIFE is such a big gift that we can loose a lot . . . and still find life a big gift.

I hear a small voice saying, “What about pain?” Well, Yes, God, what about pain? Are You saying that pain, like fear, is a gift to alert us — to warn us, to get us to turn, to change direction, and possibly cry out for help?

The Body Keeps The Score

Hmm. I tend to deny and deaden pain . . . and especially fears. So it is hard for me to reframe pain and fear as a Warning, a Wake Up Call. I am having a hard time taking charge of my self. It’s hard to imagine that I can respond in some way other than to repress, ignore or fret.

I have been pondering, God, the deep pains and sorrows of trauma. I am part way into The Body Keeps The Score by van der Kolk. And I can hardly wait to get to the later parts where he describes practices that may help us heal.

But, of course, God, to heal means to go INTO the pain . . . to face the fear. And then to grab on to hope with both hands and dare to imagine another layer of healing!

Yes, Life is a gift — and it can be an even bigger gift than I can imagine. But, I must do the hard work of unwrapping it! Please help me remember that I need not do it alone!