Charms and Talismans are empowered by our investment in them. We choose to, in turn, try to possess both the object and the empowerment we attribute to them.
I lost a Charm. It seems like a week ago, maybe longer. The power that I had given the charm was a small portion of my Joy. The little piece of Joy that I lost was akin to the feeling of surprise and elation that a small child has seeing "magic" for the first time. Two weeks earlier or so I lost a Talisman. I had empowered it as a symbol, a vessel that would hold the record of personal times. I thought of it as a snapshot of my personal history, just a few frames. Yet it was a physical symbol. And it was mine.
I had just gone through a sufficient amount of "Acceptance" - the last level of grief - to even consider writing the obituary for Thelonious "Chip" Munk. I would, of course, focus on the circle of life. The inevitability of death, following birth. I would also reminisce about being a small boy at the grand parent's cottage hand feeding peanuts to a chipmunk.
Knowing that small rodent-like creatures do not fare well in areas frequented by predators, it was easier to accept the loss of Thelonious. Losing, or perhaps just misplacing, the small black notebook that contained recipes, old Gin Rummy scores, future dreams, and a High School Nerd had-to-have; a circular slide rule in its own pocket protector. Even though I have not seen it longer than Thelonious I still insist on carrying it around with me. I am ever watchful out of the corner of my eye to spot the worn plastic seams the tiny 6-ring binder.
In each case I am still trying to possess the Charm and the Talisman.
So I didn't expect how wonderful ... and how very bittersweet ... it would be, after more than a week, to see Thelonious perched on the porch railing waiting for the peanut pile to be replenished. It was very enjoyable to see her/him alive. But it was contrary to my Acceptance (rationale) of my loss.
When I saw Thelonious on the rail I recognized my desire to possess my Charm.
I do not need to invest in Thelonious. I do not need to empower Thelonious. She/He is discreetly perfect in their own right.
When I saw Thelonious on the rail I recognized my desire to possess my Talisman. Then I recognized that my Talisman was possessing my desire. Why do I invest in any object that possesses me? Why do I empower any object? I recognize my desire to possess my little black notebook. I recognize my little black notebook is possessing my desire.
let things be lost
let things be
things be
be
peace