“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”
~ Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey
Illness has taught me many things. One of them is that most things can wait.
Strangely, it has also shown me that some things can’t.
When something, or someone, really matters to you, it’s amazing what can be reprioritised. On all but my very worst days I have found myself able to blog. You’re important to me – our friendship means a lot. Writing is one thing that I’ll find a way to do unless I absolutely can’t get out of bed, or function in a useful way.
If one of my animals was hurt I would be right there. If they needed me – unless I was on my last breath, and even then I think I’d try – I’d move mountains for my family, my husband, my dearest friends. There is a strength within us all that still surprises me when I dig deep and find it there waiting.
You don’t need to have illness to sharpen your focus about knowing what will wait, and what can’t. Use your values. Trust your heart.
I’m not talking the crazy desperate kind of sacrifice where we throw away what was important to us in order to support or sustain a bad relationship, or to get the attention of someone who was never worth our while. When we feel into those situations we can taste the crazy. We cringe a little, knowing our aim is off and then we rush forward hoping that fortune will favour us and momentum will clear away the whispering voice of our conscience that has already owned our stupidity or pointless gesture.
The things that can’t wait are clearly recognised and understood by our hearts. Our minds unify with our hearts, and burn with a bright purpose. We are transformed by a deep conviction. In short, we just know that this thing needs to be our utmost priority, letting everything else fall away.
There is something solid and steadfast in right choices. Even when we lose, we don’t regret our actions. We are guided by something so right and true within us. Doubt never creeps in. Not then. Not later. Our faith holds.
To be there for a loved one in crisis. To support a friend. To stand up for someone. To submit that paper. To voice our needs. To rescue that dog. To make that call.
We are compelled.
Always listen to that compulsion. Trust yourself to act. I sometimes think that God and all the angels and energies beyond our ken gather in that moment of decision to give us wings, to uplift and carry us, to enable us to help others or ourselves, to shine and claim our moment or to survive whatever may come. It’s a blessed space. A space of pure flow and love.
Look inside yourself and I know you’ll understand what I mean. Everything will wait, except the things that can’t.
Thank you for being here for me, my beautiful friends.
Much, much love to you, and some really big hugs,
Nicole <3 xoxo
Yes… we have to prioritize… leaving behind sometimes things that we even loved…With husband having cancer explained to him and me this past two weeks…I have quit a job I loved…But, would not have it any other way…My heart knows I have made the right choice…and your post puts a stamp on it!
Peace, love, and blessings and hugs to you, too 🙂
~Mia
By change, met a woman at the dog park yesterday who has Stage 4 Lime Disease. She suggested I tell you about CatsClaw (an herb), which she says has helped her tremendously. Perhaps you already know about it. She sends best wishes to you. Her name is Karen. Best wishes from me, too.
I do love your posts.
Thank You Nicole for being a true friend and for being there for us, Much Love <3 <3 <3 xxx
Thank you for being there for us!! ❤️
Oh gosh, yes this was something to learn. Throughout high school, high school being made to sound like the end all and be all, your priority, your main concern, over EVERYTHING by school administration…looking back now, it seems so pathetic, but society and a good deal of my teachers made it feel that way. So when I got sick for the last two years of it, unknowing what was actually going on…two years of trying to solve what my illnesses were, the scrutiny and the backlash I got from the teachers and administration, even some students, was terrifying and made me feel like a complete failure and careless person. With my days of absence filling up, and classes being missed, work unable to be done, and I still didn’t have a good answer for them to what was actually doing something so terrible to me, I truly felt like I was bullied at from teachers and society in general. I cared so much through that process, that my anxiety and stress (because I truly couldn’t get things finished, and could not meet my assignments) wreaked more havoc on my body than I had to deal with in the first place. It took me a while to figure out that what I was being told, figured the “end all and be all” to my success as a human being and success in life was all a sad, too-empowered lie of sorts…I’ve turned out fine, and with more life lessons and guidance because of that. This being said, for those of us who have been sick, even the most important-seeming things sometimes HAVE TO wait. Health before anything. That doesn’t make life easy, but it’s so important. Everything could get so much worse before it gets better. Remember that love, health, empathy, intention and communication are the most important things.
So true so many things can wait but there are some things that can’t what is tricky is knowing the difference
I love your photos of your dogs. They teach us about love and compassion. Wishing you more wellness.
Thank you Nicole for your warmth and generosity of spirit. You speak to my heart xx
And much love back to you Nicole! Thank you for your love & light!
Timely as always Nicole.
Love Sue Girl
You are important to me too – reading your blog is like a touchstone in my day. A time to centre, pause, reflect, quite often have a giggle and almost always take away some piece of wisdom to use or practice in my own life. Thank you xxxx
Thank you, Nicole, for always sharing your thoughts and feelings. Something will always touch the lives of someone
Thank you Nicole xo