Life Form Again

“If you live in the dark a long time and the sun comes out, you do not cross into it whistling. There's an initial uprush of relief at first, then-for me, anyway- a profound dislocation. My old assumptions about how the world works are buried, yet my new ones aren't yet operational. There's been a death of sorts, but without a few days in hell, no resurrection is possible.”

Mary Karr
Lit: A Memoir


Jesus proclaimed we could do anything He did and some things we could do better.  It is my personal belief that Jesus the Christ died and rose from the dead, creating a symbol or cycle all humans experience.  I believe we  shed old parts of our self (dying), struggle for rebalance (hell), and then stretch into a more defined sense of self (rebirth).  I must admit it often seems as though hell appears before death more so than prior to the rebalance.

Challenge comes to us and having free will, we have the option to master the opportunity.  In order to do so, we at times need to detach from ego or material attachments creating fear of the future.  It can be hell not knowing what will be remaining once we have given up so much.  Our resistance and denial can also add a few flames to the fire.  The death of the old can be painful, but it also can bring relief.

The period after the death of old patterns can be uncomfortable as we are released of dragging old baggage around.  There may be a sense of freedom, but it can be followed by a loss of connection.  We know what we do not want any more, but we do not know what to welcome in or what will be brought to us next.  There can be great discomfort in this suspension. 

Eventually, the void created by the death of the old, begins to balance with a new definition of the self.  We begin to gather in a greater sense of compassion and acceptance building a new strong foundation.  Our creative expression may exceed, our original gifts may flourish, and our authentic self grows stronger.  Clarity forms with deeper understanding, our hearts and minds become more expansive, and our spiritual connection strengthens.

Easter and/or Spring  is the very reminder of new birth or rebirth.  It is inspiring to watch seeds develop and sprouts struggle up through the earth.  Displayed on healthy stems, flowers display the vibrant colors of life.  And so  Spirit and Divine Energy takes life form again.

 

Be Loyal to Our Selves

Just because I liked something at one point in time doesn’t mean I’ll always like it, or that I have to go on liking it at all points in time as an unthinking act of loyalty to who I am as a person, based solely on who I was as a person. To be loyal to myself is to allow myself to grow and change, and challenge who I am and what I think. The only thing I am for sure is unsure, and this means I’m growing, and not stagnant or shrinking.

Jarod Kintz

Before we can be loyal to our selves, we must first know who we are inside and out. Secondly, we need to be so closely connected to who we are that we know when we are on the cusp of change or facing challenge.  Once the change or challenge has been completed, we then adjust our behaviors accordingly.

Frequently, we outgrow a favorite sport or activity and yet find our selves parroting to someone how much we love it.  When we really listen or pay attention, we soon realize that we have grown out of something, but as we were not paying attention, we have grown stagnant by not replacing the old with something new.  A new project or a new interest, or a new way of reflecting who we are now.

We out grow apartments or homes.  We out grow office space or personal space within a relationship.  If we experience a spiritual awareness, we may feel uncomfortable with how we spend our social time.  Any time there is change, an adjustment needs to be made, otherwise the imbalance of a certain part is not being supported by the whole.

When we change, it is not always comfortable for us.  It takes energy to physically or emotionally withdraw.  It helps when we give our selves permission to move ahead even when it means we leave others behind.  We are not being selfish nor our we being judgmental when we decide we need something different to support our mind, body, or spirit. 

When give our selves permission to evolve into  new space, we increase our curiosity, trigger adventure, and allow our selves to grow.  If we ignore our yearnings for change or dreams, we are not honoring our creative or authentic self.  We have an obligation to be loyal to friends, but first we must be loyal to our selves.

To some, this may sound selfish.  Being loyal or respectful to our selves does not mean being greedy or harmful to others.  It does mean nurturing our selves so we can stretch into who we truly want to be, just as Divine intended.