This is Your Last Worthless Anything

I am sure you can recall a time when a piece of music popped into your head and you could not get it out….as a clinical psychologist for some years, I should be able to explain to you why that happens.  Sorry to disappoint but no matter what we know about neuroscience-none of it is absolute.

So this week, that happened to me with Don Henley’s recording on your last worthless evening.  I am an all things Henley fan as well as the Eagles and funnily enough, this song my late husband played on our first date.  (Hint Hint.) This is not a blog segment on romance or new love however delicious that may be – it is about looking at your experiences – ALL your experiences -through the lens of value- of potentiality- of transformational change.  We quickly label things good or bad – or easy or hard – or I want this or I don’t want this – but of late I have noticed that many of those experiences I would like to cancel actually brought about great growth and blessing.

As an example, a dear friend of mine is moving away.  She and her husband need to be near their daughter and have health concerns that need greater support than our mountain life can provide.  When I first knew they were thinking of moving, I felt a sense of loss pour through me-they have been friends for nearly all the years I have lived here (18+).  We often spent either Thanksgiving or Christmas times with them – as well as many summer barbecues and lots of laughter and fun.  So I started down the rabbit hole of loss – yet another loss in a series.  It took awhile to firm up their plans and now we are 3 weeks away from the actuality.

This morning although I was a bit teary – I started to see something more – and I started to feel gratitude. (a quality of practice this week) Grateful for friendship – grateful for shared experience – grateful for how everything has value – laughter and tears have value – sharing wonderful food and family traditions have value- change and the possibility of joy has value- knowing that everything brings us Life -NOTHING is worthless.

I have had to learn this lesson more than once – this time around though, it seems solid.  I feel grounded in knowing that all things can be transformed through my heart and my thoughts.

This week take a look at your experiences -or perhaps even some of your hopes and desires – see them through the lens of certainty that nothing is outside of your Good.  I repeat NOTHING…no exceptions. And sing along with Don – it’s a great reminder that this can be your last worthless anything.