Mary: part two.
Mary was a woman that lived near my parents on the coast.
She was a dancer. A teacher. Helping students find a purpose. Loving kids. Changing lives.
I knew nothing of her until my Mom showed me the photo yesterday. An amazing image. It was on the cover of her Memorial Service Celebration of Life program. Mary died April 17 from cancer. An illness she had fought for a long time. She was 51.
On the inside of the program was a prayer that Mary wrote.
I so felt that it needed to go out into the world.
The Spheres Prayer
by Mary Lee Bonasera Matthews, 1953-2005
1. Self Love
Before you can share your life with others, you need to love yourself. Reach into yourself and drink from the spring of love, so you will have more to give. Respect your body and honor it, so you can give freely to others. Be kind to yourself.
2. Recognize the Mystical
Magical events are always happening. The complexity of a leaf, the depth of a starry night, sing of the power and mystery of the universe. Every person you meet is an opportunity to share and learn, and open the path to another world. Every moment is full of wonder, beauty, love. Let magical things happen, enjoy and embrace them.
3. Stay Clear
You have been put here with a purpose. Accept it. Keep going. Stay in the current. You can not go backwards. The current flows with you, around you and within you, as you stay focused. See yourself as a part of the larger world, and keep your mind free from negativity and thoughts which distract. You can see farthest when the air is clear.
4. Go Out into Nature
Nature is the great healer, and holds all goodness. The rain, the clouds, the wind, the sun, the water and trees. Take in nature and breathe the fresh air, the goodness. A diet of air will invigorate you. Look up at the sky, and remember who you are. Touch the earth. It is strong. Smell the life and love of plants. Feel the rain. Soak it up.
5. Count your Blessings
Worry is not necessary. Spend an equal amount of time counting blessings. Start with your childhood. Take the time to remember to really appreciate each blessing, absorb it and think of all the good effects it has had on you and others. Don't overlook the ordinary. There are a thousand blessings in every moment, if you look. Each breath and heartbeat, every color, texture, taste, smell. A lifetime of blessings, beauty, love. Thankfulness is like water. Allow yourself the release, the cleansing, the quenching that gratefulness brings.
6. Dark Times
Every day is part light and part dark, the great cycle of life. It's OK to be sad or have grief, to make mistakes, to be sick, hurt, frustrated. Death is also a part of life. Grief is natural, and should be embraced, for it is cleansing, and secures your bonds with another. Dark times are what make you an individual. Accept situations as part of life. All feelings are natural, and a part of every person. Feel and move through. Everyone has flaws and struggles. They make you who you are.
7. Celebrate Life
Immerse yourself in the joy of living. Take part in the celebrations and the ceremonies, birth, marriage, birthdays, holidays, the joy of a new interest. Take every opportunity to enjoy and participate in happy, festive times. Experience the release of having fun. Dance, laugh, take joy in life. Celebrate the day.
Thanks Mary - for reaching out and connecting even when your time here on earth has passed.
This was such a reminder to me once again of the power of the written word. The power we have to impact others with our thoughts & feelings. The importance of telling your story for future generations. Reaching forward to comfort. To inspire. To teach. To remind. To celebrate.
That was beautiful... and it was *so* just what I needed to read today. Thank you, Ali, for sharing it.
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I am having a hard time this week counting my blessings. Gonna let this one sink in.
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Thank you for sharing this- It is so amazing how many things I run into through blogging that are things I NEED to read, especially number one- learning to love yourself- this is not easy. What a special, strong lady. Thank you!
Angelique
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The power of words continually amazes me. Thanks Ali for sharing these-they are life bringing.
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Thanks for this Ali
Laura
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Thanks for sharing this... powerful. Mary was only a year older than I... scary. And moving. And, w/o going into another (major) long story... this was so perfectly timed for me, you have no idea. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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This was very powerful to read. thank you!
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words rock! and so does that photo. i wonder if at some point in her life she told her family that this is the photo she wants on her memorial program. i would have.
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You've been talking lately about things coming into your life because you need to see them and I really needed to see this today. Thank you for being you so I could get this when I needed it.
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What an amazing photo - and what a story it tells. Thank you for sharing this!
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This was just exactly what I needed to see today. Thank you for bringing this out into the world. She must have been an amazing lady.
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Thanks so much for sharing Ali. I am printing this out!! LOVE everything about it.
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such an awesome, amazing reminder...thanks for sharing this...
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wow - these really spoke to me this morning. I'm printing this. Thanks for sharing Ali.
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so totally inspiring and thought provoking. thank you. like many others I needed this today too. definitely saving this one.
{r}
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Beautiful, much needed, wonderful reminder - why is it that so many of us move in the same cycles of life, the same struggles, celebrations? no matter age, location or conviction? thank you for sharing your words and the words of others....
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Beautiful, my friend.
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So beautiful - something we should read often to remind us of how we should be living..
thank you for sharing this!
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This is amazing and empowering. It is so awesome that Mary is still changing lives through her words...wow.
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hitting print now...
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WOW! What an inspiring story/prayer. Thank you for sharing that with us.
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Thank you for sharing this. It is so beautiful and so touching!
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Thank you, this is just what I needed to read today.
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hi ali,
thank you so much for sharing this. i have goosebumps. those words are absolutely incredible. i am going to somehow print them out and hang them in my scraproom. i especially love 'dance, laugh, take joy in life. celebrate the day.' what an amazing woman. thank you so much for sharing her words with us. remarkable!
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What beautiful thoughts and words. Thank you for sharing.
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