How significant is your life?

When all is said and done, can you say you have lived a life of significance?

This question came to me on Friday evening of last week as I sat by the bedside of a friend who was in transition from the physical plane to her next journey.

The hospital room had an energy of love from not only the people who were with Justine at the time, but also those who had been visiting for many days prior to bid her farewell as well as the energy of those who could not physically be by Justine's bedside, yet there in spirit none the less.

Visitors came to bid farewell and have a closing conversation with this amazing woman. In the time I was in the room it became so evident that Justine is deeply loved by an incredibly diverse group of people.

It was sensing this that brought the question to surface, "Have you lived a life of significance?"

I looked the words significance and significant up in several online dictionaries. The core meaning used in the context of reflecting on our life is having a meaning; having influence or effect; importance; a noticeable measure; probably caused by something other than mere chance.

What I recognized is the question had nothing to do with any type of material possession. Rather, the intangible aspects of life. Love, joy, giving, sharing, inspiring, living with passion and touching the mind, heart and spirit of others.

Sitting quietly in the room, gently wishing my friend a safe journey, I wondered how significant my life is. And if it isn't at a level of where I desire it to be, what can I do to make it more so?

The answer slowly and gently rose to my consciousness; be of service. It's that simple. Be of service in all we do.

Once this thought came to the surface many thoughts followed validating what this means.

Regardless of what the outward activity is, we can be of service and bring significance to all we do. It is actually so simple that we often lose sight of how every action we take can impact not only those we come in contact with, but have a domino effect with so many others. Others we will never meet, but have had an impact on just the same.

How often do we place rules and guidelines on what a life of significance need look like? In reality, it is simply about being a loving person. Validating all those we come in contact with regardless of religion, political views, life style, station in life, or neighborhood they live in. Validating that they have as much right to the air they breathe as we do.

Validation comes in the recognition that what people most yearn for is love, respect, connectedness and hope.

Justine lived her life in this space. When you were in her presence you knew she valued who you are. You knew you were loved and she would willingly receive love back. You knew when she hugged you, this hug was the most important thing she was doing in that moment.

When you had a conversation with her she paid full attention and you knew she valued your opinion and input.

Beyond that, Justine did so much to make the world a better place. She dreamed of a system where anyone would have the availability of services that would make their life safer. She held high in consciousness that all things are possible through love and vision.

Justine has left an imprint on the hearts, minds and souls of so many. On many levels she will be missed. On other levels we know we will often be reminded of what an amazing woman she is and what an amazing life she lived. It was a life of significance that touch so many.

May your life be a life of significance.

Comments

[Lorraine Cohen]

What a great post Kathleen

I think you echo what many people desire - to feel that their life has had meaning. What that means to me is to feel that I have in some contributed to the lives of others to help them to live a more conscious and vibrant life. I love the Ghandi quote: "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."

I say YES!

[Kathleen Gage]

Well said my friend, well said. And I can speak from my own experience, you are a very significant person.