rejoice – THIS HAPPENED

dear young friend & family in Shiva, when i speak of age, you
seem to hear death, probably because of your youth. but for me at
eighty-one, age is a victory, something amazing that is
given to me to rejoice in, & i do! you seem to think that
i rejoice in the nearness of death, but no! it is this life that
i rejoice in. i delight in beauty, goodness & truth. if it
doesn't relate to my purpose, i pay no attention to it.
my purpose is to celebrate life & to release the outworn,
that Shiva & i can commune together more meaningfully.

so think not that age means closer to death! age just as vividly
can mean closer to life, because i can so fully & deeply
enjoy this life now as a seasoned spiritual connoisseur.
years of arcane experience now reveal its value to me.

the mountain proclaims how to live in this world: "be strong, endure, stand tall & reach to the sun in adoration." the tree whispers soft how to live in this world: "lift up into the light, plunge into the earth. share it all freely. give yourself endlessly & generously." the flower declares how to live in this world: "seek the light & drink from the sweet moist earth. unfold your splendor in passionate color & fragrant essence." the bird calls to me how to live in this world: "sing deeply from the heart in jubilation. cast yourself into the embrace of the wind -- go where it takes you with calm acceptance." these noble beings (my teachers & gurus) channel my Lord Shiva in their purity. thus i honor them. i bow to them. i bow.