When I was in Nürnberg last Saturday, I lost my way.
Google map and I never are on good terms - though finally, after walking many kilometres, I found my goal.
Same happened on my way back.
It was a very long way, it was very cold (though bright sun), and I had to tell me (stern voice): Go on!
Suddenly I saw that stone on the pavement - "Hier". (= Here).
And I thought: true.
I have to remember this:
I am HERE
The last days I was NOT with me - I felt like drowning in a sea of compassion for the refugees from Ukraine, asked myself in the middle of every night if I could do more for them, and at four o'clock in the morning whether it is OK to be happy when others fight to survive.
And my best friend is struggling for life too. And seven years after my private tsunami I am not fully over it, though Taoists tell me that every 7 years your body cells are exchanged completely and you are "new". I didn't feel like that - I felt my cup is full to the brim, overflowing.
Then I saw the answer on the pavement.
(And took a photograph to be sure that my mind didn't make it up - I have never seen a stone like that before).
But I feel it is the solution.
As those instructions in an airplane say:
"First put the oxygen mask over your nose - only then you can help someone else."
I decided to do one step after the other. Try not to see only black and white. There are many people who can and will help. Together we will succeed.
A few minutes after those thoughts I went round a turn, and I saw this, and suddenly knew where I was:
HIER.
Thank you Britta. This is an inspirational post for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, Britta, me too. Thank you. I am thinking it over. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Britta - your thought provoking narrative is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteLots to think about. Perseverance or grit are often key.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers for your friend. . . . . and all the people of Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteAs for being 'HERE' like you, I often think is it OK to be happy when so many are suffering through no fault of their own? Right now I admit I'm not happy about much, I worry day and night about Ukraine and many other European countries, nuclear war, a world war, possibly the end of time! Prayer is all I really have to give along with positive thoughts of a kind, and if a refugee knocked on my door I would squeeze them into my small house, and do what I could to help.
Stay safe dear Britta - and don't lose your way XX
Thank you, Britta, for this happy inspiration in dark times.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much! I am glad that you feel somehow alike, and feel soothed by the thought that we are not alone but in a way all together. Britta
ReplyDeleteYou are there and I am here. Once we were in the same place.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a good title for a novel!
DeleteThe majority support one another Britta which is a soothing thought. 💕 XXXX
ReplyDeleteDear Jackie - thank you! I am at the moment for a week in Berlin and enjoy it. And yes: people helping each other are really wonderful. XXX
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