I turn forty today—one of those birthdays with a zero at the end that are made to be a milestone. Whether it is or isn’t, like most in life, it’s what we choose to make it.
I wake at the same time (actually slept in—started my day only a few minutes before five). I sit in the same chair at table. I drink the same coffee. I begin the day as I most often do: reading and writing—receiving and expressing a little spirit before getting on with the habit of days to make a living robbing time from the actual act.
I have so much to be thankful for. In gratitude—I am.
I am aware of so many blessings I am given. I am aware that there are more that I don’t see.
I read somewhere recent that there are no prizes in life, that life is the gift: the greatest gift.
I am grateful for the gift, for the blessing to experience all the gift provides: the good, the bad, highs, lows, revelations, and shrouds of mystery.
Of the prizes, I believe a little different. Building from beginning thought, I believe life does have its prizes but that they are not often as we’re shaped and conditioned to perceive. Like one those little Russian dolls, I believe life’s prizes hold within experience of the greater gift, layer upon layer, discovery upon discovery down to the smallest limit of our human ability to discern.
But this belief, like life milestones, is mostly what we choose to believe.
I believe the prizes of life are not material, not objects or metrics to be obtained and amass, irrelevant into those we leave behind to deal with after we are gone, sifting through a material proof of life.
The prizes in life, like greatest gift, are in experiences—some only we will ever know; others shared in the living and created after as lasting memory and bond.
Eyes on the prizes, aware of this gift and blessing that is life, I desire to live more present—the share, receive, create, and live testament to gifts and prizes found in presence.
I have my health. I have a happiness, a gratitude and peace. Why should I want more?
Honestly, I don’t.
I wish to share. I wish to spread, imbue and impart into others whom I encounter in life, whether physical of world or realms of the spirit and mind (such as, in reading, I engage you now. Maybe acknowledgment gifted smile—such is a hope I hold).
Lord, thank you for this life. Lord, thank you for this gift—for the prizes we discover in presence and pilgrimage through place and time.
By your grace, by your mercy, with your benediction, guide me to live more present. Help me to live more aware, attuned, and in testament-awe of gift-wonders all around.
Amen.