I was taking a walk with my daughter today when I found myself telling her about some of my recent struggles I’ve had choosing love over fear. Though I’ve walked this path before I find I re-visit it frequently with much pain when I forget to choose love over fear. We ended our conversation by saying…

Each of Us is a Work in Progress

Yup. That’s life and this is me in all my humanness — a work in progress.

If we’re lucky we keep growing and learning throughout our lives. And sometimes we repeat lessons we’ve learned before, diving deeper into the truth with each repeat.

I don’t know about you but when I get stuck in fear reactions, I move into control mode, trying to control another person’s behavior or my own to avoid whatever it is that I fear. It’s painful living in control mode and also narrow and constricting; never mind that trying to control life is futile.

The Illusion of Control

I truly believe that “being in control” is one of the biggest illusions of modern life. Just when I think I have everything figured out I am reminded that life is uncertain, nothing lasts forever, and we are all mortal.

I Worried

I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not how shall
I correct it?
Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?
Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
can do it and I am, well,
hopeless.
Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it,
am I going to get rheumatism,
lockjaw, dementia?
Finally, I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
And gave it up. And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.

   —Mary Oliver

Eventually when I realize that I’m trying to control things because I am afraid, I can seek to once again choose love, gratitude, and appreciation, and let go of fears and worries. When I move into love and appreciation I also move into more of an opening and flow rather than being constricted and tight. And should I become forgetful, my body tells me which state I am predominantly living in.

Which are you choosing my friends, love or fear? And which do you want to choose this week? Remember that each of us is a work in progress. Wishing you a love, gratitude and joy-filled week.

May you walk in beauty.

 


Marilyn

Photographer sharing beauty, grace & joy in photographs and blog posts. I live in the Twin Cites in Minnesota, the land of lakes, trees, and wonderful nature.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from Marilyn Lamoreux Photography

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading