As the title suggests, I have been spending time reading one of my favourite poets, theologians, and philosophers, Rumi. I am always looking for ancient wisdom around my birthday. Today is my birthday.
God has granted me another year of life on this Earth, and I am so grateful. There is a lot to be proud of and there is a lot I never expected, and I would not change a single thing.
I have seen the world. I have learned from life. I remain humble. My heart is open even after traumas and disappointments.
Like Rumi says, “The wound is the place where the light enters you.”
Once that wound heals, we realise we are light, and we are filled with light.
The truth is, we are all getting older. Life is long and life is short. Nothing and no one are perfect. We all have a story. Time moves forward as some of us look back. I just hope I make use of this precious God-given time.
A homeless girl (probably late twenties) with a teddy bear and money pot first appeared at the train station closest to me at the beginning of 2022. I would always drop some coins in her pot on my way to and from work, and I prayed she and her teddy bear would find a home.
Today, she is still at the train station. A chilling, antagonizing man is often sitting beside her. He rocks and twitches like an addict. These days, instead of money, I give her water and food.
I often wonder why society failed her and so many others.
I still pray she finds her peace.
Mind, body, and soul wants to be in alignment. I take care of my soul with things like prayer, trusting God, understanding my small role in the big universe. I take care of my body by working out 5 days of week for most of my life, drinking 2L of mineral water a day, intermittent fasting for over 5 years. I take care of mind with mindfulness, meditation, laughter, though we all have some mental health battle to face in this life.
My battle has always been with general anxiety. It’s a product of my perfectionism and yes, it can be overwhelming, but it’s okay. I’m grateful for the tools I have that keep me balanced.
Altogether, the world is not really in balance and our systems are largely unjust. The first third of my book ICARUS explores societies which forsake its people through the lens of the Cold War.
Last week, I promised this post would be for paid subscribers only. I will stick to that promise! The first 1,500 words of ICARUS is below for paid subscribers only. Other subscribers, you will get your usual dose of poetry in the next post.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing my work. Thank you for commenting and engaging. Thank you to the paid subscribers who will help support my publishing endeavors.
This journey called life feels like it’s always just beginning . . . I am grateful for the wisdom to come!
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Poetry in Eden to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.