Woman Wisdom

In the Autumn of 2003, I had many responsibilities in my life.  Suddenly without much warning my mother fulfilled her life and gently transitioned as I sat by her bedside. As the seasons passed, I yearned for her council and wished there was a woman in my life to impart wisdom to me on a regular basis as she had done. One morning I could not have known that I would be gifted a glimmer of my mother in the eyes and delicate kindness of another Woman.   

I walked into a local store to pick up some new spring clothes, for it was getting warmer with each beautiful spring day that passed. The line to check out my items was long and people were getting irritated. Louise, a long time employee, was at the register. Louise was a very pleasant and beautiful woman in her later years of life. “Good morning” she said “please tell everyone behind you that I am closing my register after you dear. “Okay Louise I will be your guide for a moment and make sure I tell all approaching customers to go to another line.” As I got closer Louise explained that she must leave work quickly today because her bus would be coming in just 30 minutes. “Where do you live?” I asked “Oh just in Brookhaven” Louise answered.

 “I live in Brookhaven” I said, I can give you a ride if you’d like” Louise responded, “Oh my dear are you sure? Though I must say that would be so wonderful because my son is visiting today from New York and I am excited to get home.” “I will be outside waiting in my car and I will make a few calls as I wait” I replied. Within ten minutes Louise got into my car filled with brilliant smiles of gratitude 

On the way to Louise’s home, which was only two miles in distance, I decided to engage in some light conversation.

“How long have you been working in our local department store?” I asked  “Well I have been there for 18 years and I continue to work there so I can pay my taxes and homeowners insurance. I have lived in Brookhaven for 62 years.” “62 years” I exclaimed, “Louise, how old are you?” “Well my dear, I just celebrated my 89^th birthday and it was wonderful.” “89! Louise that is so hard to believe” I was stunned. As we pulled up in front of the adorable Cape Cod house,  now I was in awe. The gardens were exquisite; the grass was nearly perfect in it’s architecture. “Louise!” I gasped  “Your grounds are beautiful who takes care of all this for you?” Louise responded “Well just this year, I hired someone to cut the grass because my neighbor was afraid I might chop my feet off though, I don’t think that would have happened. I surrendered my grass cutting ability, and I take care of the garden. Whoa I thought what an inspiration to witness both the tenacity and gracefulness of this incredible 89 year old woman.

“Susannah my dear, it was so kind and thoughtful of you to give me a ride and lightened my load, with all my packages and treats for my son and his children that I would have had to carry.  I appreciate your kindness more than you know. I wonder do you like Italian cookies?” “Oh yes very much” I said

 “Do you have a moment to come to my kitchen, I would love to give you some Italian cookies and make you a cup of tea.” I told Louise it would be a delight to share a cup of tea with her.

As we entered the adorable fresh and yellow like a sunburst kitchen I could feel though the love and simple wisdom in the air. As we sat at the kitchen table, Louise shared stories her life and there was one that I savored as it was being told. It began when I asked Louise “As you consider being a leader in your own life, what kind of advice would you give me?” “Well my dear, I think advice can sometimes feel like an unwanted opinion, so how about I tell you something I did in my life, that someone taught to me for many, many years ago. It is a practice that a woman once taught to me and it changed my life.

As each evening would come to a close and I prepared for sleep, this very simple, yet extraordinarily powerful practice became a ritual for me. As my head would hit the pillow, I would put my right hand on my belly and my left hand on my heart and I would take a deep breath. For the next couple moments, I would consider what I had done throughout the day that added benefit to the world. I would ask myself questions like:

• What can I give myself credit for?
• Whom might I have touched in some special way?
• Was I able to extend kindness throughout my waking hours?

As I considered questions like these I would take in the good feelings and let myself feel good about who I am and breathe it in. Then I would think to myself:

• Had I hurt anyone today?
• Do I wish I had done something differently?
• Was there anyone that I harmed today?

From a place of  awareness and intention, I would take a deep breath and forgive myself. I would purposely let it go no matter what the scenario may have been. This allowed me to be self-loving and self-forgiving allowing me to start the next day with freshness and gratitude. I have continued this practice for decades and it has been an immeasurable value in my life. You should try my dear you really should!”

A tear ran down my check as I thought of the many times I had been harsh with myself in the moments of privacy at the end of my day and I vowed to begin this beautiful wise practice given so tenderly to me from this special angelic woman. Thank you Louise for inspiring my life and the lives of the people who are reading our story. You are loved and your legacy of kindness lives on.

Susannah Spanton Horsey is an energy healer and International trainer in the healing arts of Reiki and Bio-energy and the founder of reikimelody.com a studio that provides energy healing sessions and training to become a practitioner.. Call Susannah today at 215 630-8534 for any questions you may or email her at sspanton310@gmail.com for more information about the exciting and emerging field of energy healing!