This leafy bouquet landed pristinely untouched, resting on the sludgy surface. Being in the world, but not of it, means landing softly and gently, not allowing the muck to pull me down with it, sullying my Spirit and Soul in the process.
Photo by Maggie Begley
In life we can’t control what happens to us, but we can influence outcomes by taking responsibility for the part we play. Our reaction is something we CAN control. Do I choose to make things worse, or better? What most of us need is more objectivity, and less reactivity. This requires forgiveness and compassion for ourselves and others, which comes from a place of balanced confidence. I need to remind myself of this today and everyday.
Being IN the world but not OF It, doesn’t mean projecting an image of perfection, or keeping up appearances at all costs. It’s about realizing, honoring and preserving my most authentic unique self, the part of me which is not OF this world, but happens to be IN it! I still have to live life here, this requires not being afraid to risk floating in the muck till the next rains come along, bringing opportunity for refreshment and renewal…coasting me downstream, or sliding me up on a safe shore. If I find myself getting pulled under, I will hold my Breath and keep the Faith. I have no choice but to survive, and I will…eternal Divine Love is my ultimate Life Guard.
The Spirited Soul 
Your message is so sound and wise, Maggie. I do practice wearing the world like a loose garment, but sometimes, like all things that get laundered, it can be a little tight if its been in spin dry too long. 😀
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LOL Amy! For me, being “hung out to dry” leads to faded vibrancy, if I’m not careful. 🙂
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The following was my response to a friend of mine on Facebook replying to this post by saying, “Solid observations, Maggie. Though I personally tend to struggle against the stream”:
I too used to fight, but after this decade I had no choice but to quit resisting and just go with the flow, while not getting caught up in and/or sinking in all the rubbish. It’s still touch and go, but a much “easier” way to live. Not about giving in or giving up, I’m a rebel too, it’s about letting go…Hmmm seems like I’m just repeating myself, but I’ll go on anyway…:)
For clarification’s sake, both the energetic “flow” and the “rubbish” I’m speaking of applies to the internal and external situations we find ourselves in, independent of one another, or as interactional feedback in the system.
Even though it’s like a scary free-fall, and you never know where you’re going to land, there’s so much freedom in letting go of the need to be in control. Not knowing requires a LOT of trust and patience, the latter of which I have very little of, and it is a constant struggle for me to stay calmly in the present!!! But I feel that if I do my part to relax into the process, and just float, that I will always end up in a better, though unexpected, place.
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