“When I look back on my life, I see pain, mistakes, and heartache.
When I look in the mirror, I see strength, learned lessons, and pride in myself.”
Unknown (featured on Fb The Wise You)
In my life, I have come to know that as I go through various phases, or experiences or events that disrupt, interrupt and/or dare me to go beyond the limitations my mind has set for myself, when I have gone through the fear, done the work and have no more left in me, there is a stark marking at that completion when I know that I am finally done. I feel it. A move somewhere, forward, upward, a shift in my perception, in my heart, in my soul, washing over me with a renewed sense. A new frontier laid out before me, begging me to take that first step. I am refreshed, excited, lighter, focused, a bit anxious but looking forward once more to different stories, new experiences, another unfamiliar start, unsure of myself once more.
So I have come to recognize, for myself and for those around me, that when they share with me their current challenge, irritant, hesitance and angst, and then come back sometime later to announce a step they took, a risk they wagered with themselves that brought them to a different level, a new angle, a new height, one up from where they were, through their fear and insecurities, I proudly announce to them, “That is so great. You have graduated!” And their smile spreads from ear to ear to match the one I am sharing with them, for at that moment, they understand my declaration.
Then, as if on queue, they take me along for the ride, their review, look back from whence they came and recount what they needed to do for themselves in order to advance on this journey we have all chosen to take. And it is at the end of this short sojourn where they will firmly close that door for good, and embrace their accomplishments, the lessons finally learned, the validation of certificate. Graduation day. Ready to move on.
I am well aware of the challenges and struggles of this past year for all of us collectively and it has been collectively that I have been working all year with everything that the universe has brought to me and everything that was within my ability to respond. Hopefully it was with greater accountability, greater responsibility, greater compassion and kindness, a greater openness and humility, one of greater service. And as this year finally comes to a close, and I perform my own accounting, I am hoping that I have done well in my studies, mastered the lessons begging for me to finally learn, made good use of teachers and tutors strewn along the way, in perfect placement and perfect timing, and prepared well enough to complete this level of work. And as I stand, looking forward to a “new year”, I am awaiting the news and will see if I, indeed, graduated, or if not, will then be condemned to return for another year, working on the same studies, the same work, watching the same old movie play out, but then having another opportunity to hopefully rewrite my ending.
For this New Year, my hope is for us to continue to be open to all that comes with this life and trust we are moving in the right direction. That we see beyond our limitations to know that the lessons we receive are specifically designed for us, knowing that we have agreed to them and hold within, the perseverance and resilience to go the distance, to surprise ourselves, to rise up, to stand up and be forever changed. The only thing that stands between us and that diploma is the decision of whether we will embrace the curriculum, give it our full attention and push through. So as you set out on your next level, your next lessons, your next quest, your next story, I wish nothing less but for you to succeed and graduate to your next level.
Blessed be this New Year for one and all!
“Those who can’t change their minds cannot change anything.”
George B. Shaw
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