Lines from the poem “In Blackwater Woods” by Mary Oliver. They remind us to love all that it is to be human, to be here in this moment. Life itself is a fleeting gift, a treasure of transient moments, and so we are urged to hold it close, to celebrate it, and, when the time is right, to let it go.
Life is So Beautiful
When we take a moment to look at life’s beauty, we can feel the immense grace of simply being alive. I watch videos of whales gliding through the deep seas, of trees silently communicating, of Jane Goodall watching a butterfly on her arm. In these moments, I’m reminded of how much there is to love and celebrate in the world around us. Every interaction we have, every life that touches us, creates a web of connection. It’s love that holds the world together.
This love, though, is bound to a cycle of life and death, to the understanding that our time here is not infinite. The more we connect with life’s beauty and mystery, the more we recognise the need to celebrate, hold close, and ultimately release what we hold dear.
Holding it Against Your Bones: Loving Deeply and Living Fully
To “hold it against your bones” is to love deeply and live fully, to embrace what’s precious and let it shape us. Life calls us to move beyond the fear of loss and into a state of open-hearted appreciation. Holding close those we love, the memories we make, and the simple pleasures that bring us joy is an act of devotion to the beauty of existence. These moments and experiences root us in the present and become a part of our very bones, nourishing us long after they have passed.
Loving deeply doesn’t mean reckless attachment; it’s about openness. It’s about seeing and appreciating people, places, and experiences for what they truly are. When we hold these connections close, we create a library of memories and insights that will stay with us forever, forming the foundation of who we are.
Letting Go with Grace
When the time comes, we must also learn to let go—gently, with gratitude. Letting go isn’t about erasing or discarding what was once meaningful. It’s about honouring the experience and allowing it to be part of our story without trying to hold on forever.
This act of release requires grace. It’s a leap of faith to accept that in letting go, we free ourselves to live in the truth of this life’s rhythm. Every ending is part of life’s natural cycle; clinging too tightly only holds us back. Letting go is a final, beautiful act of love, a reminder that life itself is precious because it is not permanent.
Living with Gratitude for Each Moment
Gratitude lies at the heart of loving, holding, and letting go. When we cultivate gratitude, we pause to notice and appreciate each moment as it comes. A simple, daily practice of gratitude grounds us in the present, reminding us that every person, every experience, and every day is a gift—a teacher in our journey.
Gratitude allows us to live fully. As we go through our days, we can create small rituals of appreciation: sharing a kind word, savouring a quiet moment, or simply acknowledging the beauty of what’s around us. These small acts of presence reinforce our sense of connection and remind us to truly live.
Closing Reflection: Courage, Vulnerability, and the Cycles of Life
Living in this way requires courage. It takes courage to love knowing we may lose, to hold close what we know will one day pass, and to let go with grace when the time arrives. This way of living is both tender and fierce, asking us to surrender to the cycles of life, to trust in the beauty of the journey, and to embrace each experience for what it is.
In the end, we are all part of this cycle of living, loving, and letting go. Let us love what is mortal, hold it close, and, when the time comes, let it go. In doing so, we honour the fullness of life, knowing that every goodbye is as valuable as every hello.
Closing Reflection: Courage, Vulnerability, and the Cycles of Life
Living in this way requires courage. It takes courage to love knowing we may lose, to hold close what we know will one day pass, and to let go with grace when the time arrives. This way of living is both tender and fierce, asking us to surrender to the cycles of life, to trust in the beauty of the journey, and to embrace each experience for what it is.
In the end, we are all part of this cycle of living, loving, and letting go. Let us love what is mortal, hold it close, and, when the time comes, let it go. In doing so, we honour the fullness of life, knowing that every goodbye is as valuable as every hello.
Jen May is a passionate coach specialising in female empowerment and self-expression. She is dedicated to guiding women to follow their wild hearts and discover new pathways to freedom and strength. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Jen brings rich expertise to her coaching practice. She is certified in NLP(ABNLP), EFT, TFT(ATFT), Life Coaching(MASC), and Hypnotherapy(ABH).
Jen invites you to embrace the mystery of life, to connect with the wildness of your soul, the depth of your emotions, and the power of your unique voice. Together, you will explore the beauty of being fully alive, embracing the challenges and joys of life with an open and resilient heart. Her coaching is a profound call to transformation, to find your voice, and to step into the light of your true Self.