The Ones Who Cleared the Path for Us

A meditation on loss, presence, and what we learn from the people in our lives. Lizzie and Justin consider what each person might be teaching us, not just through their words, but through their presence. We explore how to see beyond the surface presentation of other people and wonder "what gifts and qualities is this person showing me? How are they sweeping the path for me?" And we consider what it is to extend this practice beyond those we grieve for to all our relationships, as both an act of love and as a practice for cultivating a more connected, compassionate world around each of us.

This week is hosted as always by Lizzie Winn and Justin Wise of Thirdspace.

This is Turning Towards Life, a weekly live 30 minute conversation hosted by Thirdspace in which Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn dive deep into big questions of human living. Find us on FaceBook to join in the lively conversation on this episode. You can find videos of every episode, and more about the project on the Turning Towards Life website, and you can also watch and listen on Instagram, YouTube, and as a podcast in all the usual podcast places.

Episode Overview
00:00 Introduction to Turning Towards Life
03:12 Exploring the Poem: A Bunch of Consolation
05:59 Reflections on Loss and Learning
08:46 The Nature of Love and Relationships
12:11 The Importance of Reflection and Eulogy Writing
14:59 Seeing Beyond Surface Relationships
17:55 Curiosity and Learning from Others
21:09 Honoring the Living and the Dead
24:06 Activism through Connection
27:15 Closing Thoughts and Invitations

Our source for this week:

A Bunch of Consolation

You think they’ll always be there,
(the ones who always have been).
They showed you the way,
not their way
but how to find your own
(and what to say),
sweeping the path of leaves
or snow

but then the leaves, they go,
before you were ready
(how could you ever be ready?)
to wonder, wondering,
what have you learned exactly?
To love, to speak up, to hold steady.
Hold steady.

Maura Dooley

Photo by Reza Madani on Unsplash

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