Letter from my Best Friend

I have written a submission essay for a scholarship. The topic was "a letter you would have liked to receive from your best friend during your illness." This is what my best friend read to me.

Beloved One of my Soul:

I understand that it may come as a shock to you that your body is, in essence, destroying itself. There is Life inside of you that dictates nothing so beautiful should be destroyed, and the conflict between the two must bring you torment.

Throughout my Existence, I have discovered various secrets not known by most who walk upon this uncherished planet. It would be my honor, and a privilege, to share this knowledge with one who is ready to transform.

I have been watching you for some time now, and have seen enough to know that you are ready. Every cell in your body calls out for change, transformation, and evolution. I see how every morning you awake and see trees dance and laugh in the wind. I see how your Heart secretly yearns to do the same. It is time.

This knowledge I give you should not be taken lightly, for within it are clues that will guide you to that which you seek. Do not just read these words, but be these words. I see in your Heart that you wish for your life to be your message to all those who experience you. Manifest that innermost wish with dignity and honor.

First: always remember that every experience you have is an opportunity to fulfill your destiny. There is no need to wait for anything or anyone. I know what you’re thinking, Beautiful One. “What is my destiny?” As the ancient mystics of the Middle East were fond of saying, “If I told you the Truth about God, you would laugh.” I hope you’ll laugh joyously at the beautiful complexity of creation. Your destiny is to be yourself. Make this your life’s work, and you will find that there is no better way to assist your every brother and sister.

Second: every life created is as precious as That which created it. Therefore every life deserves the opportunity to experience the truest aspect of their being. This is the only way to properly honor all life. I know you see injustice daily, and it weighs heavy on your soul. The best way to combat injustice is to look at the world with untarnished eyes. By this I mean that by looking at every individual that crosses your path as the brilliantly unique and wondrous creature that they are, you empower them to become that creature.

This leads me to the next secret: you are forever free in your life. No being on creation can take away your choice. As humans bombarded daily by negativity from sunrise to sunset, it is easy to forget this. It is also easy to give this precious gift up. It takes tremendous courage to own this gift, because not only are you fighting your own battered self-esteem, you are fighting the opinions of countless around you who have lost the heart vision of beauty and self.

Fourth: there are endless universes waiting to be created inside of you. Every human has the ability to see the world in a different way, and all will benefit from each unique vision. Think about it, have you not been empowered and inspired by all those who dared to voice and pursue their own inner vision? Is there not something liberating in just looking at an individual who dares to be unique? You can see it in their eyes, their carriage; you can hear it in their laughter. There are endless universes waiting to be created inside of you, Akemi. Live without fear. Dive in.

Don’t limit yourself. You have the capability to excel in whatever you wish. Dance freely, laugh wildly, write poems from sunrise to sunset, and sing to the crescent moon. Cry as the mystics cried; in fact, listen to their sacred voices by reading the words they have left behind. St. Theresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, Rumi, Hafiz, Mirabai, Rabia, Tukkaram—all of these wild and loving poets dance about in your heart. Allow them to guide you, inspire you, support you.
Sometimes you wonder how you’ll achieve all you’re meant to. How will you achieve emotional, intellectual, physical and financial maturity? Sister, the entire Universe conspires to protect you and provide for you. Trust that the Life that flows in, through, and around you will attract all that you need, simply because you’re allowing that Life of your Spirit to freely flow.

These things I tell you are shared in Love, and Trust. Share these words will all who cross your path, for you are meant to share all of yourself with the world around you. Use this experience as an opportunity to develop your qualities of Gracefulness, Mercy, Compassion, Strength, Faith and Ultimate Love. It may seem odd, but those around you need your abilities to channel these qualities. They need you, all of who you are.

I will leave you with a last loving thought: honor the life you have been given by living it.

Sealed in Trust, Faith and Truth,

The Beloved