There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
— Maya Angelou
We were sitting quietly in a small circle waiting for someone to start the conversation. Seven people gathered to talk about death, about the fear and pain for loss, and about the possibilities to reconnect to themselves and the world.
“I have a question...” The conversation started. We have unique personal experiences of love and loss, but I sensed the air of compassion and empathy surrounding each story. We shared our feelings about the importance of human connections and the desire to protect those close to us. We talked about people who are lonely when they die and about the significance of human presence.
I could see how people needed to break their silent inner dialogue and bring out their self-story. I witnessed the process of self-acceptance and gaining strength. It was fascinating to watch how we recognize ourselves in other’s stories... It brought me a sense of connection; I was not alone. The elephant in the room, “Death and I”, was not ignored, but rather invited into our group conversation. It was an air of curiosity, recognition and giving...
I was driving home, and I was more alive than ever! Thank you!
There is something magical and paradoxical about fire. It draws you in, and we sense the wisdom of nature and the place of fire in the circle of life. It pushes us away when we face its power of destruction. The red/orange tongues of the flame are beautiful and dangerous in the dark night. They evoke the memory of human history, our personal past, our love and losses. We are mesmerized by the constant change of colors, shapes and sound. We hope to get a glimpse of our future...
Gathering around the fire and stretching hands to connect, we feel safe and together. We sing songs and share stories...
As time goes by, the darkness fades away giving room to the blue sky. We touch cool green grass and welcome the first gold arrows of sun. We feel the importance of bringing more people into this exceptionally wise and rich conversation.
I was thinking to ask or for someone to ask: “What does connection mean, what does it bring in?”
