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Darla D Romano's avatar

I keep coming back to this meditation repeatedly. I had never seen how many of my judgements come from my grief surrounding wanting people and myself to be different; all the demands and expectations that create disappointment and frustration, and wanting to exert control. Thank you for this deep wisdom and the practices that help to lift this suffering and find more peace. There is so much more freedom in spiritual surrender.🙏🏼❣️

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Neural Foundry's avatar

The grief excercise of naming what never was feels incrediby liberating. So much of our dissapointment comes from clinging to an idealized version that was never real to begin with. The prayer at the end captures this beautifly, helping us see others through shared humanity rather than through our unmet expectations.

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Carol A's avatar

Who they are not - and perhaps never will be. That really does engender grief! Thank you for this today.

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Carol Devine's avatar

Wow - this hit!

The shoulds are not just about particular people in our lives but also about how things "should" be for us and for future generations. We have to grieve where we thought our country and the world would be at the end of 2025. I have a lot of work to do on this. Thank you.

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Karren's avatar

Oh, Cameron….I needed to hear this one. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

Especially, the spiritual practice; “Releasing the “Should”

“You don’t have to agree with them. You don’t have to reenter relationship. But you are choosing, for your own peace, to stop wrestling with who they are not.”

The spiritual courage of letting go. To see others through our shared humanity and to love as God loves. Amen.

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Sharon Sanderson's avatar

Mourn what they are not - I’m going to give that a try.

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Korie's avatar

Acceptance is such a powerful thing. When we can accept what is - not what we want, think, or expect - we are set free from anxiety and fear.

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Steven Conger's avatar

The woulda, shoulda and coulda's of life will destroy us if we are not careful. Forgiveness of ourselves and others is the only cure.

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Kelly's avatar

I so appreciate your wise perspective. Thank you for sharing.

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