Dr. Edith Eger, who is a Holocaust survivor, wrote this the other day on X, “It took me decades to discover that I could come to life with a different question. It’s not, why did I live? The question is, what is mine to do with the life I’ve been given?”
Lately, the world around us seems to be in constant flux and chaos and change. We are doing a lot of questioning, as groups and as individuals, about what we value, about the state of our governing bodies, about what we truly believe in, and about the parts we play in it all. Sometimes all of this discernment gets clouded by our own feelings of guilt for our own unique “gifts and entitlements”: (Examples could be: Why was I born American and not in a third world country? Why am I healthy, and someone who took care of their bodies all of their lives, just died of cancer? Why did I get to keep my job when so many other good people were laid off?) Sometimes this “Why?” line of thought brings us to things that we find “unfair” in our own lives: (Examples could be: Why do I have this heath affliction? Why did my marriage fall apart when I gave it my all? Why did the tornado hit my house? Why did my spouse die young?)
Typically, studying the “whys” doesn’t get us too far. Rarely do we find a satisfactory answer. Still, we all have a human tendency to stay stuck mired in “the why questions” about our lives, and about the people, and about situations in our lives. And thus we tend to get stuck in the feelings of guilt, unworthiness, victimhood and blame. But let’s face it, we don’t even really have a sure, one right answer as to why the world even exists. The answers to the why questions often continue to blow around us, in the wind, remaining uncatchable and unsatisfactory. However, answering the question: “What is mine to do with the life I’ve been given?” is empowering. It is our question to answer in our own unique, unrepeatable way. No one else gets to answer it. Our actions and the way we live our one unique life is the answer to this question. How much of that answer to “What is mine to do with the life I’ve been given?” , should we waste on trying to answer the whys??
Are you passing on love or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.
Today’s question will be taken from Dr. Edith Eger:
What is mine to do with the life I’ve been given? (key word: What)
Some of the “what” I’ve already accomplished: I’ve ushered a new soul into this realm, nurtured and cared for its human form until it was old enough to care for itself. I’ve also assisted two other souls to the ends of their human lives, providing care and love until it was time for them to return home. I’ve made many positive connections (and, thankfully, very few negative ones) as I’ve moved through this world.
So, for me, the question is, “What remains to be done with the life I’ve been given?”
I’m not 100% certain that I have the answer.
My parents are in their 80s, so I will assume the mantle of caregiver again sometime in the next few years. I am fortunate to have a wonderful and loving relationship with them, so I’ll be sad when that time comes, but I will serve with a grateful heart, knowing that I was blessed by their care throughout my life.
I think that the rest of my life (which hopefully is a few more decades since I’m only 59) will be spent in spiritual growth (soul evolution, not a religious pursuit) and in sharing my storytelling gifts with the world. Recognition for my writing is a slow process, but I have no doubt that one day, millions of people will appreciate what I have to offer. I feel that deep in my bones; there is no room for doubt. There is only the uncertainty of whether or not it will happen during my lifetime. I hope to live long enough to experience the reflection of the joy I’m trying to put out into the world, but sometimes, it doesn’t work out that way. That won’t stop me from doing the work.
Other than that, I think I’m called to be a good, decent human being. To uplift instead of denigrate others, to speak up when it’s the right thing to do, and to hold space for those who have difficulty doing it for themselves. If I can accomplish these things I will consider mine to have been a life well-lived.
I find this really inspiring, Kelly. I, too, struggle with the “What remains to be done with the life I’ve been given?”, but I have no doubts that both of us will be lead to it. <3
Wow. Just wow. That was, “Wait, I have to sit down” thought provoking. Thank you for shedding light, Kelly.
<3