The Journey

On this Easter Sunday I am feeling nostalgic, looking back on what I see as my own journey to resurrection.

Recently I was reminded of a poem I hadn't read for years by Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver called The Journey . Mary was interviewed in last month's edition of O Magazine by Maria Shriver. Yes, I often draw inspiration from Oprah Winfrey. If that makes some people roll their eyes, well ok.

In the poem, she talks about an epiphany and taking steps to save "the only life you could save" - your own. The journey of self-exploration and personal growth; it can apply to many things, but it makes me think of how far I've come, what I've done and how much there is left to do. Because the journey is never finished. It continues on and on.

So much parallel in that poem to the weight-loss journey, surgical or not. Doesn't everyone want to give you free advice? Telling you no, you could do it better this way or that. My sister's husband's cousin lost weight doing it this way. You shouldn't eat this or that. Oh, avoid doing this or that at all costs! At some point you have to tune all that out and focus on YOU. What you want. What you need. Do what's right for you. Eventually, the "stars" of truth will "burn through the sheets of clouds" and you will "slowly recognize" your own voice coming through. Listen to you.

I love that on the tribute page I linked to above, there is an image of a woman walking alone on a beach at sunset. She is a shadow. Not a mere shadow of herself but powerful and fearless in her solitude, even though darkness is coming - as it always does. She's continuing to walk, to journey. No successful journey is without speed bumps. As you face the darkness, the trick is knowing the sun will rise tomorrow.

So thank you, Mary Oliver, for giving me a great gift this Easter. I haven't read a lot of poetry since college - where I learned to analyze it ad nauseum - but re-reading this treasure makes me want to revisit the sonnets, Lord Byron and even Walt Whitman. Journey, reflection and resurrection of the spirit. Happy Easter, indeed.