And suddenly you know: that was enough

Posted on by Live & Learn

black and white, photography,portrait, eyes closed

Remembering

And you wait. You wait for the one thing
that will change your life,
make it more than it is –
something wonderful, exceptional,
stones awakening, depths opening to you.

In the dusky bookstalls
old books glimmer gold and brown.
You think of lands you journeyed through,
of paintings and a dress once worn
by a woman you never found again.

And suddenly you know: that was enough.
You rise and there appears before you
in all its longings and hesitations
the shape of what you lived.

– Rainer Maria Rilke

Wiki Bio for Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926).  Credits: Image by Stephan Vanfleteren. Poem: Thank you Whiskey River.

32 thoughts on “And suddenly you know: that was enough”

  7. The push and pull of being happy with the life you have and the lure of wanting something more. Though that feeling of knowing it is pretty damn awesome in the moment itself is a feeling I wouldn’t trade for anything.

  8. This reminds me of a piece by Melody Beattie you once posted, which in part, went like this: When I look for the big, the exciting and the momentus–I leave empty-handed. When I surrender to the present moment, understanding the sheer magnificence of each of these in my life, even those that suck, and then follow that with gratitude, my wheelbarrow overflows.

    1. I’ve forgotten that post. That’s for the reminder. I think Melody captures it beautifully. And I need to surrender to the moment from greater frequency.

  9. In the end, I think it’s one’s ability to find joy, satisfaction, comfort, solace, succor, something of note, in every day, that makes for a happy life. I was struck by this last night, as we went through our regular evening routine–feed the dogs, walk the dogs, make dinner, chat about our day–absolutely nothing earth shattering, but yet so infinitely sweet.

    1. Yes, Lori. I hadn’t understood that previously and still don’t “live” it, but I’m becoming more aware of the need to do so. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Thanks Ivon. I agree. It is a beautiful poem. And the need to enjoy the day to day / ordinary moments is what results in an extraordinary life. I’m working on it.

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