The darkness is thick. The confines of my surroundings heavy. Lingering cold immobilizes me.
Yet, something stirs inside, an irresistible call to grow, to rise, to be something different.
The process anything but easy still seems more plausible than remaining here.
But where is the growth without the restrictions and uneasiness to push against? These guides assure my strength along the way.
Yes, the breakthrough is near. I sense the spaciousnesses, feel the glimmer of light, know the way forward.
I sprout. I push on. I prevail against the struggles of facing the unfamiliar, knowing there will still be frosts, others competing for the light, and the inevitable timing out of this opportunity to grow.
I’m learning that your opinions about me come from your experiences not mine.
Your beliefs, values and habits were formed not by my behaviors but by your experiences.
So next time I judge you or think you are making a mistake, I will remind myself to pause and explore the roots of my feelings.
They were more likely than not aimed at something or someone that came long before this moment with you. This encounter just somehow shook them up or rattled them loose.
If we can both remember this we can both forgive and understand that the mistakes of other are really just reminders of our own unlearned lessons.
The more I seek control, the more insecure I become.
The more I allow myself to trust the not-knowing to result in wisdom, the uncertainty to to inspire clarity, and the gift of others’ feedback to grow my confidence, the less I approach life as a field of potential failures and instead find a river of opportunities.
The less I grapple with control, the more I understand how much there is to learn and realize how much I already know.
a belief that we are all equal and deserving of freedom,
free from the risks of learning.
It takes purity of mission,
integrity of intention,
clarity of thoughts,
truthful words,
and a loving heart.
Purity is the essence of forgiveness,
wiping away our grudges,
removing hurtles,
clearing the slate.
There is a lightness and ease for both the forgiven and the forgiver when judgment and expectation are released and we are each allowed to experience learning and loving