The real question before our death, then, is not, How much can I still accomplish, or How much influence can I still exert? but, How can I live so that I can continue to be fruitful when I am no longer here among my family and friends? That question shifts our attention from doing to being. Our doing brings success, but our being bears fruit. The great paradox of our lives is that we are often concerned about what we do or still can do, but we are most likely to be remembered for who we were.
Henri Nouwen, Our Greatest Gift
I feel need for Sunday and, right on time, it shows up. I come fuzzy to the day from dreams nonsensical that I’m happy to come out of.
The things I want to accomplish today are on my mind but I pause: perhaps this is a day to simply be.
We’ll see.
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That’s a wonderful paragraph from Nouwen (and a beautiful bud). Thank-you for this today. At times when doing much seems nigh impossible, it’s good to remember that being is all that is truly needed.
Wishing you a blessed, and restful, Sunday, Alexa.
Your post reminds me of why I’m labouring on my memoir: to leave a legacy of stories that would otherwise be lost after I’m gone. Come to think of it, a lot of “doing” now with times like right now to pause and simply “be.”
We share more than one goal, Marian. Looking forward to reading your memoir.