A year ago, death claimed a friend.
I cherished her presence. She opened her heart and home to strangers. She was always ready and willing to lend her hand. Her heart was truly generous, compassionate and selfless.
I remember a time when I was singing at a community gathering. I finished a song, then remained silent, allowing others to fill the space with their musical offerings. Suddenly, I felt a sharp nudge in the side of my ribs. I turned and met the gaze of this friend, her eyes wide open, glinting mischievously. “Sing again” she whispered.
I hesitated. No one would want me to sing again, surely.
She nudged me again. “Go on, you must”. Her eyes were wider and this time more insistent and serious.
I gave her a warm, reassuring smile, but then continued to sit back, silent and hesitant. I didn’t believe that anyone else wanted to hear me sing again.
Now she is no longer here, how I wish I could have sung her just one more song.
Today, when hesitation or self-doubt visit, I often feel the visceral sensation of her nudge, urging me to sing despite invitations to pause, hesitate, retreat, or give up.
I like to think of this internal feeling as a “nudge” from a place beyond, where my friend is at peace, encouraging me to step forward ahead of my fear, self-doubt and hesitation.
I will keep singing that one more song for you, my friend.
What is the “nudge” in your life that keeps you turning up, giving, offering or stepping forward despite fear, hesitancy or self-doubt?
If you could offer the world something that gives you and others joy, even for just one moment, what would it be?
What difference could your offering make to you and others?
It could be just one song, one story, one gift of creative expression.
A single offering could be enough to bring even just one other person a moment of happiness and peace.