蜜芽传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Steve Taylor.

Good Morning.

In my research as a psychologist, I once interviewed a woman called Irene, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and told she probably only had a year left to live. She reacted to her diagnosis in an unusual way. When she stepped out of the consulting room, she felt elated and liberated. As she told me, 鈥楾he air was so clean and fresh, and everything seemed so vibrant and vivid. The trees were so green and everything was so alive. I became aware of this energy radiating from the trees, and had this tremendous feeling of connectedness. I felt so fortunate to be alive on this planet.鈥�

Although it was especially intense for the next few weeks, Irene remained in this state of intensified awareness. Her cancer went into remission for 13 years, and she was incredibly grateful for the awakening it gave her, which enabled her to live in a more fulfilling and contented way. She retrained as a therapist, and spent her working life supporting other cancer patients. As she told me, 鈥業 used to just sit and think, 鈥淭his is amazing, that things could just fall into place so quickly.鈥濃��

Why did Irene鈥檚 diagnosis have such a positive effect? She told me that it was about becoming aware of death. As she said, 鈥業t was the first time I鈥檇 seen death as a reality, and realised that life is just temporary.鈥�

Some people might believe it鈥檚 morbid or depressing to think about death. But contemplating death, helps us to become aware of the value of life. It can give us a new sense of perspective, and a sense of purpose. It can help us let go of unnecessary attachments to possessions, beliefs or the future or the past. It can make us aware of the beauty and wonder of the world.

So today, let鈥檚 pause for a moment, to remind ourselves that life is a temporary gift, that we should savour and celebrate.

Blessings.