Sometimes, new opportunities are right there to greet you. But more often than not, there is something that writer Charles Epstein calls the space between stories. He describes it this way: The old world falls apart but the new has not yet emerged […] Without the mirage of order that once seemed to protect you and filter reality, you feel naked and vulnerable, but also a kind of freedom. Awareness is like a road map of understanding that can help you feel less alone while facing transition. May this road map serve as a support net for you, when you are being asked to step over to the other side. These are the moments when we often start to blame and judge others because we don’t want to take responsibility for our own fear and discontent. These feelings tend to be physical and energetic versus analytic. And things can feel out of alignment when caught up in the rat race of life. This is the perfect recipe for some serious alone time. Although often scary or uncomfortable at first, being alone is one of the greatest gifts for acknowledging stuckness and uncovering your own truth. By having the extra space and a lack of external stimulation to run toward, you can begin to unpack what’s coming up and see how it makes you feel. So, if you feel stuck, slow the heck down, and spend some time alone. Go on a solo hiking or camping trip, shut down all forms of technology for the day (or longer), don’t make too many plans with friends or colleagues, and un-busy yourself. Are you saying things you have never said to your parents but have always thought? Are you fighting with your spouse, having a difficult time communicating with your children, or in constant disagreement with your boss? Sure, these could simply be the regular ebbs and flows of life, but you can choose to observe them through a more expansive lens of symbolism and spirituality. If you are noticing an abnormal amount of conflict arise in different areas in your life, look deeper. If you have been invited to make changes, where do you begin? Rather than worry about the difficulties that are arising, simply try to become the observer. Note what is happening, pay attention to how it makes you feel, and be open to exploring conflict in all relationships as a portal to your highest self. Our bodies are equipped to handle only so much at any given time. When we are being called to undergo a transformation, much of our physical energy is consumed by that process. Something bigger is happening, and although we may not be cognitively aware of what is going on, our bodies know what’s up. It’s OK to press the pause button on your regular day-to-day routine to allow for more important things to arise. Complete what you have to do, and then allow yourself the time to just simply be by walking through the woods, taking naps, and reading books. The rest of that list will be there when you get back, and some things may just magically disappear. The trick to getting through it is simply to listen and respect your body. If you can’t sleep, get up and read a book, write in a journal, or listen to music. If you’re wiped out and need more sleep, clear as much of your calendar as you can and allow yourself to rest. Don’t try to push these emotions down or shove them in some basement closet. Allow the feelings to move through you, and I promise…they will pass. There is such strength in raw emotion because it can arise only from someone with a soft, open heart. Being vulnerable is powerful, so embrace the wild, raw emotions that live inside of you. In that process of shedding old skins, you become clear and calm and peaceful. Your body feels soft, tender, and open. And you are certain that things will work out exactly as they are meant to, because in reality there isn’t really an alternative. As life continues to gently (or not so gently) guide you on your path, may you have the courage to embrace that which you are called to change and the patience to sit in stillness as you wait to find out what is on the other side to meet you.
