Don't Just Cope-Thrive within Life's Transitions

 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a terrific film that touches the senses, the heart, the spirit. There is so much wisdom and great food for thought in this movie that I have seen it 5 times! I have a feeling I will see it again and will definitely put it into my film library. Over my 30 year career as a counselor, consultant, life coach and spiritual guide there are two common denominators that bring people to me for guidance:  Transitions and Relationships. This movie is all about how we deal with major life transitions by, not just learning to cope, but learning to thrive; to embrace all the gifts that are available for us when we move into the new and let go of the old. Life Transitions and Human Relationships of every kind are truly, in my opinion, Sacred because they provide for us life's grandest opportunity to create and produce the experience of your highest conceptualization of Self. Relationships are constantly challenging; constantly calling you to create, express, and experience higher and higher aspects of yourself. It is through relationships and life transitions that we grow and evolve if we are open to it. How we respond to life's journey is the key. Are we being the Person we truly Intend to be in dealing with endings, with disappointment, with new opportunities, with changes whether they be imposed or chosen? Are we honoring our values, our purpose and our passion?  Are we choosing to operate out of LOVE and having true FAITH or are we operating out of DOUBT and FEAR?

The Marigold Gold Hotel has a basic theme which Sonny teaches his guests: "Everything will be ok in the end so if it is not ok, it is not yet the end". But there is a very important piece of wisdom shared at the very end of the Movie after "everything is Ok", and that message in the words of Evelyn is: ..."only a person who risks is free."

 

For many years, I have included in client packets at workshops, corporate retreats, individual and couple retreats, team building events and life enrichment groups, the following Piece. You will understand after reading it why I smiled broadly at the end of Marigold Hotel when I heard those words watching two delightful couples from two different generations ride with great joy and freedom of spirit on their scooters through the colorful Indian streets:

                                                                   

                                                                RISK      

 

TO LAUGH IS - TO RISK APPEARING THE FOOL

 

TO WEEP IS - TO RISK APPEARING SENTIMENTAL

 

TO REACH OUT FOR ANOTHER IS - TO RISK INVOLVEMENT

 

TO EXPOSE FEELINGS IS - TO RISK EXPOSING YOUR TRUE SELF

 

TO PLACE YOUR IDEAS, YOUR DREAMS BEFORE THE CROWD IS - TO RISK THEIR LOSS

 

TO LOVE IS - TO RISK NOT BEING LOVED IN RETURN

 

TO LIVE IS - TO RISK DYING

 

TO HOPE IS - TO RISK DESPAIR

 

TO TRY IS  -  TO RISK FAILURE

 

BUT RISKS MUST BE TAKEN, BECAUSE THE GREATEST HAZARD IN LIFE IS TO RISK NOTHING.

PEOPLE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, HAVE NOTHING, AND ARE NOTHING. THEY SIMPLY CANNOT LEARN, FEEL, CHANGE, GROW, LOVE---LIVE. CHAINED BY THEIR CERTITUDES, THEY ARE SLAVES, AND HAVE FORFEITED FREEDOM.

 

ONLY PEOPLE WHO RISK ARE FREE.

                                        

 

Namaste, Molly