Life

Father and son one of Life's most precious gifts

. . . is a mystical gift; it holds endless possibilities, challenges and opportunities and Life is what we each make of it. What has inspired me throughout my life is how people throughout the ages have grasped life in both hands and lived it with a passion that is to be celebrated. No matter what Life presented them with, they rose above each challenge and using each one as a stepping stone to reach greater heights, to make the world a better place or to serve their fellow travellers on Life's journey, in one way or another.

However, for countless human reasons and circumstances, not everyone is endowed with such a positive attitude. As Oscar Wilde observed - “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” 

A Celebrant's work is focused on helping people celebrate Life in all it's many aspects. This is a wonderful privilege and for myself , I have learnt so much, and been enriched as, again and again, I am reminded how blessed I am with the Life that I have been given to live.

One of my heroines throughout my life has been, Mother Teresa, and her poem below, encapsulates so beautifully, the meaning of Life for me.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. 

Life is beauty, admire it. 

Life is a dream, realize it. 

Life is a challenge, meet it. 

Life is a duty, complete it. 

Life is a game, play it. 

Life is a promise, fulfill it. 

Life is sorrow, overcome it. 

Life is a song, sing it. 

Life is a struggle, accept it. 

Life is a tragedy, confront it. 

Life is an adventure, dare it. 

Life is luck, make it. 

Life is too precious, do not destroy it. 

Life is life, fight for it.”     

The simple beauty of Nature is
one of Life's most glorious gifts

In the world of pain and struggle, war and hunger, growing inequality and despair that we live in today such words remind us that each and every one of on this planet are creating the world we live in. We can all make a difference - no matter how great or small a way - as Mother Teresa did. Living in New Zealand we have the power of the 'vote', we live in a free and democratic country so can voice our opinions, we can help bring about changes for good and we have opportunities those in other countries don't have.

Life is what we make it no matter what it presents us with. So today I celebrate my Life and give thanks for the precious gifts it offers me. Life is a beautiful gift and as this Life is not a rehearsal may Mother Teresa's words be inspiring to us all.

Each moment we live is an opportunity to celebrate Life and it's many gifts and challenges.