If flowers fade in a minute or two, will not stones wear to sand in time? Even this earth, this garden of life, one day will be like the dust of stars.

We must walk gratefully, carefully on it now.
 
  Now is the lifetime that passes here, now is the best of all days; now is the flower's eternity in the sun, our chance of a lifetime. 
 
 

This is all we have, this moment.
 
  Within it, anything can be done, any dream fulfilled, if we only use it well.
 
  Why hold back? There is nothing to stop us.

The bear cub was miserable. Her father, the leader of the pack, had left a month ago to find them winter shelter and had not yet returned. Everyone went on as if nothing had changed.

One evening the cub had a dream in which her father appeared and said, "Daughter, I know you grieve for me, but your burden is too heavy to carry alone.

Share it with the others and let them comfort you. Sharing will only lighten your load, and if you can accept help now you will find it easier to give when others are in need." 

The next morning the little cub woke with a much lighter heart. As it turns out, everyone in the pack shared the same dream.

There was much hugging and crying and reaching out and healing. 

We can easily lighten our loads by asking support from those who love us, knowing our turn to help will come.