Backslide

"The ability to let that which does not matter truly slide."

Chuck Palahniuk

Carefully, I place my feet upon each step and keep my gaze to all that is above ... seen and unseen. I hold trust in my heart when the spiral bends and I can no longer have the vision I desire. Slowly, I move upwards, dedicated to the climb. Awareness remains, however, that at any given moment there may be a backslide.

Entering darkness is familiar to me and the hardest part is realizing, once again, an old pattern has tripped me up. I hold myself accountable, and there is where the darkness is ... self-criticism and personal judgment. Then there are the lapses in the dark filled with images of being the victim and being burned by the fire. 

Eventually, I remember that this is yet another attempt to break my pattern. There is no right nor wrong, just the lesson at hand. When clarity produces greater insight, I am able to move upward on the spiral again. Negativity slides away making room for this new wisdom to lead me upwards, back on my way.

Splayed Wide Open

"The only way to find true happiness 

is to risk being completely cut open."

Chuck Palahniuk

Notable authors claim we repeatedly experience heart break, breaking our hearts open continuously.  They go on to say that it is not until the heart is permanently cracked open that true love enters.  If a person is breathing, they have experienced a broken heart.

The act of keeping our heart open can create an overwhelming sense of vulnerability.  To allow our core to be splayed wide open takes physical courage and emotional strength.  With the removal of masks and false identity, our authentic form can be seen by all.

We may ask ourselves 'why' we would do such a painful thing as exposing our entire self?  The answer is clear ... the possibility of being unconditionally loved just as we are heightens our self-worth, heals old wounds, and strengthens positive energy within the world.