I’ve been puzzling over what to write this week. It usually comes to me with clarity. I’m in a space of holding a whole assortment of feelings. Can you relate?

On one hand, some of my loved ones are going through a dark night of the soul. That hurts MY soul. And if you read my essays, you know I’m troubled about our nation. Sometimes I internalize deep concerns of all sorts. I don’t know if that’s good or bad; it just is.

But on the other hand, I’m being refreshed spiritually every day. I get to work on some music that’s so exquisite it brings tears to my eyes. I like my retirement jobs. (Is “retirement job” an oxymoron?) And our flowers have been really pretty this year. I have a lot of simple pleasures.

I dropped in on a soul friend today. (I’ve been blessed with several of those.) Her dog snuggled up to me. We talked and laughed and even had a poignant moment or two, then I was on my way. And I knew everything would turn out all right. I decided to celebrate my life just as it is.

Once again, John O’Donohue has captured what I want to say. God seems to give me what I need just when I need it.

“Now is the time to free the heart,
Let all intentions and worries stop,
Free the joy inside the self,
Awaken to the wonder of your life.

Open your eyes and see the friends
Whose hearts recognize your face as kin,

Those whose kindness watchful and near,
Encourages you to live everything here.

See the gifts the years have given,
Things your effort could never earn,
The health to enjoy who you want to be
And the mind to mirror mystery.”