The Meadow

He said, “envision yourself in a meadow. You have seeds in your hands, your pockets. These are seeds of love, joy, wisdom; seeds of appreciation, empathy, acceptance; seeds of forgiveness, peace, understanding; seeds of abundance and bliss.”.......

I am there in a fresh green field, a little girl, running and jumping through the grass carelessly, sprinkling the seeds with utter delight, giggling. I am carefree and innocent.

Now I’m grown as a young woman, dancing and spinning and laughing there in the meadow. Then I wonder, where are the seeds? Will they grow and flourish? I hesitate and doubt, unsure, then I realise that they will find their way, sort out how and where to go, just like I will. I sigh, more confident, and smile to myself.

I am a mother. My family and I are strolling through the meadow, bare feet caressing the soft cool grass, the kids' hands held gently. We all look at eachother with the unsaid understanding that we will always be there for eachother, to give and receive love and support. For a moment I forget my seeds because I am so absorbed in my children. Will they be ok? What will they do? Will they find love and joy? And then we let go of their hands because we see that they are grown now, and must go find their own meadows.

I’m walking, contemplatively, looking all around the meadow, and I notice seedlings, plants, bushes, trees, birds and critters all around — The Meadow is abundant with life!  Everything changes constantly. Time can seem to pass slowly, sometimes quickly. It can slip by without us noticing, but if we stop and reflect and just be, we can feel the vastness of time, and know that we each are a true piece of this great puzzle. 

Now I am older, strolling slowly. I become tired so I sit down. The grass is like silk, and the earth is cool. I meditate, feeling down deep inside that this place is not mine, but rather I am part of it. Knowing this gives me a feeling of being whole, content, accepting that my small life does have worth and a story to tell, just like every life does. 

I feel the need to lay down, so I relax and let the Earth envelope the length of my back. It feels delicious. I breathe more slowly, and feel so very peaceful. My body melts away, and then I’m gone. But wait! I am not gone at all. I find new places to go. I merge with the soil, water, roots, microbiome below; I become seeds, leaves, plants, flowers; I am part of insects, birds, animals, rain and even air. I am inside all of the lives that follow. I am remembered by those I loved. I’m there, and I am grateful.

Anonymous