“Unbeing dead isn’t being alive.”
E. E. Cummings
My son was once telling me an elaborate story about a bug that was “a little bit dead.” I thought to myself: It is either dead or alive, no in between. But is there?
Aren’t many of us walking around a little bit dead?
We stay busy. We get distracted. We tune out.
Subverting our needs. Denying our desires. Ignoring our longing.
How are you a little bit dead? Isn’t it frightening to think how much of our lives are spent asleep? Will we remain unconscious about what is really important?
Stop. Tune in.
Look with curiosity and kindness.
Pay attention to how you keep parts of yourself dead.
It’s perfectly normal to want to stay a little bit dead. To want to shield ourselves from some discomfort or dissatisfaction. I can think of the number of ways I prefer not to be present with reality. I distract myself with not-so-quality television programming or my iPhone. But what is the cost?
Now is the perfect season to contemplate these questions:
- What is dying and needs to be cleared?
- How can I be more present and awake in my everyday life?
- What needs to come alive?
Make room for something new. Commit to being more fully present and awake. Move from simply being undead to being more alive.
Remind yourself of your desire to live with more passion and purpose by trying one of these:
- Wear a vibrant color. Red lipstick. An orange dress. A green sweater.
- Beautify your surroundings. Get fresh flowers. Nurture a house plant. Rearrange your art.
- Nourish yourself. Cook some spicy food. Make a hearty stew. Bake with ingredients that are in season and local.
- Spend time outdoors. Walk in the park. Sit in the sun. Visit with nature.
Pay attention to how you’re a little bit dead. What does being more alive mean for you? Please share!
Eloiza Jorge, MA, CPC, is an educator and coach. A Montclair native, she can be spotted around town leading dance classes at the Y, picking up her kids from school, or running to teach a class at MSU. She coaches clients from her home office. You can find her online at deepeningwisdom.com
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