One thing I should realize by now is that I should never make a claim I am not willing to stand behind! Actually, it might be more accurate to say; never claim I have learned my lesson, unless I want to be tested on that lesson!
I think this is just one of the many gifts from our interconnected Universe… It is just hard to see it that way when I am in the middle of it! Do you have the same experience?
It goes something like this: you are blissfully moving through life without a care in the world. When suddenly, you are thrown into a chaotic or drama-filled situation. Even though it is new, there is something familiar about this new situation you find yourself in. You realize it has happened before. Maybe you always choose the mate who is emotionally unavailable. Perhaps you over commit because you don’t want to disappoint your boss. Or, someone borrows money from you; they had a really good reason for it, and had a plan for paying you back. But you have seen your ‘friend’ or any money since.
You realize that you’ve been burned by the same situation multiple times. So much so that you realize it is something that you have to change. You may have been burnt before…, but darn it that is the last time! You claim with all the authority you can muster – “No more! Never Again!”
And as soon as you do, someone who is just your type (and just a little unavailable!) walks in and starts a conversation. Your boss asks you if there is anyway you can work the weekend, because there is a new deadline and you’re the only one she trusts! Or you are looking at the balance in your savings account to see if there is anyway you can help you poor friend out, just till next week!
These are the opportunities we are given to own and choose what we know is right for us. We have been down this road before. We know where it ends up. We know how we feel at the end of this little adventure. The Universe, in all its glory, is giving us an opportunity to make a different choice. To choose a road we have not been down before. A chance to know that we have really and truly learned that lesson!
Last week I wrote about how I was celebrating my ability to be more patient.., to go with the flow. To be with right timing and set down control! I learned my lesson!
Well.., kind of!
Oh My Gawd! Did I get hooked this week, by the very situation I thought I was handling so well. For 24 hours I put myself through hell! I was experiencing fear, worry, anger, disappointment, frustration, entitlement… Trust me the emotional roller coaster goes on!
And after torturing myself and projecting my “stuff” at others.., I remembered last weeks newsletter. I remembered that everything happens for a reason. I knew as I sat and reflected on what was going on, that in the end, even if things don’t turn out the way I hope that they do…, that in reality, they will work out perfectly for me. They always do.
The Universe wants us to see and experience who we are as we evolve. It wants us to know and experience the possibilities. And it doesn’t just use the positive and uplifting emotions to help us see our way. Or maybe more truthfully to help us see ourselves.
So I AM experiencing more patience. I do have moments where I am comfortable being out of control. I am getting better at being in the flow. Yet in the meantime, I also know I have a ways to go before I have fully embraced these concepts… I will still have plenty of opportunity to experience my own struggles with this new way of being. And of course that means sometimes you might have to pull me off the ledge!
Charles, Fascinating! Another perspective… the opportunities in life for change, chaos, abandonment and disappointment are with us every second of our lives… the only thing that needs to change for us to be happy and content is our reaction to those events. Budhism says it all… nonattachment to outcomes or current status; seeing the world and everything in it as impermanent, somewhat chaotic and ever changing; allowing others their own experience regardless of how it impacts “our plan.” This or something better… one of my favorite mantras. Sounds like an ever-evolving ability to detach from having to control how the world unfolds for us…. yes, putting effort into shaping and hoping and master-minding, then letting go again since even wild success is only temporary. Always another lesson around the corner. Like a feather in the wind. And oh what a ride it is! Take care… Darla
Thanks for sharing another perspective and a potent one at that Darla. The truth is, even non-attachment is a practice. So as much as I agree and strive toward this way of thinking and being… It can be so easy to forget and slip into old patterns! Thanks for being encouraging and sharing what works for you!
For sure Charles non attachment is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever struggled with myself constant practice and never getting there getting a little better maybe but never getting there
A little bit annoying, isn’t it. I know I do not like to be reminded that I may not have learned any lesson as effectively as I thought I had.
Yes Linda… A bit annoying! 🙂 Love your use of that word! It makes me realize that even as we adjust to the truth of where we are on our journey, it is manageable. Simply time to take another pebble out of our walking shoes! Thanks for trekking with me!
Wow. You just wrote the story of my life over the past seven days. Things were flowing. I was in bliss and joy. In this positive state I decided to do some deep dive work to release my long-standing habit of worrying, and BOOM! a situation shows up that sends me plummeting into worry. The good news is I saw it as a lesson and am doing my best to choose that different path you so clearly speak about here.
Thank you, Charles. Your words will help me take another brave step onto the path of “doing this differently this time.”
Well Michelle… I love being in parallel process with you.., AND, yuck! Because we are sharing this wave, I know how eye-opening, yet humbling the whole experience is! Thanks for the kind words of acknowledgement! You know they mean a lot to me!
Bless you Charles…as you wisely state, “The Universe, in all its Glory, is giving us an opportunity to make a different choice!” Evolution is not a one time event…as we transform, there will always be new opportunities, and hey, what is life without the occasional cliff-hanger anyway!
Ah…. You are always helping me to add color and texture to my cliff-hangers Vikki! What a beautiful reminder that it is not about the destination.., it is about the journey! Everything feels a little lighter! 🙂
Love that expression we are always in evolution it’s such a good reminder thank you Darla
Falling into blissful flight.k
Another way to think of this Stephanie! Let go! Thanks!
Namaste Charles. I, too, went through a similar situation this week involving a close friend. But, as I pointed out to my friend, it’s important not to get stuck in judgement of ourselves or others. There IS a reason for everything that happens. Sometimes it is to make us aware of something we need to change and sometimes it is meant to bring something to light that has been hidden out of fear. And let’s not forget that it my be an experience that is needed by the other person involved to ultimately help their growth. One more thing, the universe is merely a mirror reflecting back to us our hidden selves. What may be more important here is who did the experience involve? Are they important to you? Sometimes, it’s just as important to remember life is not about experiencing perfection, that’s what we experience on the other side. Life is about experiences and drama that we can not experience elsewhere. If someone or an event comes up full of life’s natural drama ask yourself, is this person or situation meaningful in other ways in my life. If yes. work through the drama and you’ll find the many layers of inner pain and fear that needs realeased and healed, but so will they. It’s a blessing. More important is the who’s that are involved and their meaning to you!
May blessings, Charles, light & love. ~Apryl~
Thanks Apryl for sharing your insights and your own journey. I appreciate not only the perspective but knowing that there are others who are moving through the emotional veils at the same time I am!
Your article blew me away with similarities, yet different issues that I let almost destroy me. Betrayal is a very hard lesson to learn and understand.
Spirit gave me 3 examples.. Am finally “getting it” and am almost out of the woods.. This quote from the Bible came to mind during my processing, “Father Forgive them, they know not what they do”
How unfortunate to be navigating the emotionally charged energies of betrayal Sherry. Never fun. And yet there is always something we glean from this situations. Sometimes more than once. Thank you for being willing to connect and share such a vulnerable lesson! Sending love and light to the new you who now knows better!
Thanks Charles.
🙂 Thank you Sherry!