I have in my house, hanging on a cloth banner for all to see, the following:
In the end, all that really matters is:
How well did you live?
How well did you love?
How well did you learn to let go?
I picked it up at the local 'furnish your dorm room supply store' called Faces in downtown Northampton about two years
ago when I first started teaching tai chi. I thought at the time - well that just about says it. I don't know
who wrote it, but I liked it and I thought I might hang it on the wall of a studio some day.
Last week, I was giving a private lesson to a dear, delightful and enthusiastic student and I heard myself
coaching her, as Jan has coached me many a time - "let go of what you no longer need". As you pay attention to the
present moment, and release what has been, there are aspects to keep, and some to let go, notice, until finally, if we pay
attention, a whole new reality has emerged.
Having just let go of my life-partner as she moved forward unto death; I am hard-pressed to say that I let go of what
I no longer needed. Heaven knows I need her still. Until I remember her suffering and pain, and that she indeed let go of
what she no longer needed - and ultimately, I could do no less than to follow her lead.
It is not the first time that she has led the way for me - nor, I suspect will it be the last time. I love
you Janice.
Enjoy your practice, enjoy your life
Dorian
