He enters into the room and sits in the ceremonial chair that is a fixture of this tradition.
“Here we are again”, he says.
“Yes. Here we are”, replies a frail voice. “Why do you look so sad?”
He feels his eyes begin to water and in this sacred space, he tries hard to prevent the pending baptizing of his cheek by the libations his heart is offering via his tears.
His voice is no match for his sobs and so he whispers: “I am here with you, but so many are not. So many were taken from us during your visit. It hurts. Why did they have to go? Why is there so much pain? Why is there so much loss? Why?”
The frail voice responds: “The pain you feel is understandable. Your tears; justifiable. However, you must remember that mourning is a process that includes the spiritual embracing of those who are no longer mortally beside you. When you dwell on what you no longer have, you are unable to accept what is being offered to you. You are unable to remember that in the same manner as my visit has a start and an end date, so does yours. Do not forget that you are visiting. And do not forget that how your visit ends is not for others to understand. Their duty is to offer your spirit light as well as receive the light your spirit, and the spirit of countless others who have already visited, offer.
Much energy is placed on seeking spirit, calling for spirit, making promises to spirit, claiming a relationship with spirit, and growing in understanding of spirit. However, the majority of your efforts are placed on existing as if your spirituality were secondary to your mortality. You regularly forget that your mortality is but a tool of your spirit. You would not plan a road trip to a place you have never visited, only to never get out of your car and spend the majority of your time constructing excuses to justify your behavior. Would you? Then do not place so much emphasis on this tool that you fail to understand how to wield it.”
He wipes his face and understands that he is not being told to dismiss his pain, nor is he be scolded for feeling it. Rather, he is being offered a reminder of the process that ensures he is not stuck in pain and also maximizes the true potential of his feelings.
He knows that the visit of the one offering him insight will soon end and he thinks of the many who call for it’s early termination. He finds himself uncomfortable and embarrassed by their blatant disregard for the lessons meant to be shared during this time.
“Do not hold your head in shame”, the frail voice says, “I understand that they do not wish me gone with malice. They are simply lashing out on all that is external in the hopes that it will ease the pain they feel internally. I would have hoped they would have spent more time looking inward. I would have liked to see those commitments to consciousness and the maximizing of self followed through with the same passion and fortitude they were made with. But alas, we have but a small number of hours before my visit ends, and that of my replacement begins.”
“What can you tell me of your replacement?” he asks.
A breeze fills the room. It isn’t a chilling breeze, however. Instead, it is a warm, embracing breeze. One that announces the presence of another in the room.
“Whose there?” he asks.
“We will meet soon enough. I am the next to visit. You will learn all about me when my time begins. We will have 365 days and 365 nights together. I am waiting patiently for my visit to begin. You see, I am one who believes in collecting what is due. I am not swayed by poetic speeches seeking to portray procrastination as anything short of a problem. Nor am I inspired to turn a blind eye to those who feel acknowledging that they have made many empty promises with a sense of remorse or regret, is the equivalent to actually doing something for their growth and development.
Yes, my friend, I very much look forward to my visit beginning. I will be paying close attention to the new promises that will be made in preparation of my arrival by those who think all of our visits are the same.
Many will call me “2018” for short. However you may call me by full name. I am: “2018 The Year of Action and Accountability”
©Dr William Q Ross “Mission” 2017