Has your world been turned
upside down recently? Are you experiencing
upheaval in your life manifesting as job loss,
health issues, relationship difficulties, deaths
of loved ones or conversely new work
opportunities, new relationships, new directions
or places to live?
The Universal energies
have certainly amped up over the past 18 months
to 2 years as evidenced by the frequent
celestial events – eclipses, stelliums, unique
configurations – several occurring for the first
time in 26,000 years! No wonder unsettled
feelings and angst abound. We’re being
given constant “wake-up calls” designed to urge
us to claim our destiny. If we miss or
don’t heed the early “calls”, they simply
increase in intensity.
So, how do we cope as
we’re hanging on by our fingernails filled with
confusion and trepidation? William
Bridges, in his book, “Transitions” uses a
three-phase model for transitions: Loss, Void,
and New Beginnings, each of which can cause it’s
own brand of chaos.
I used to say I loved
change until I realized I loved only the change
I initiated. I’m much less thrilled when
changes come unexpectedly. Loss, the name for
Bridges’ first phase in the transition process,
reflects why we feel so negatively about change.
We immediately think of what we will lose
expecting that what is ahead will be worse than
what we have now.
An important aspect of
this “loss” phase is grieving the losses
inherent in change. In my experience most
of us give little, if any, time to this vital
part of the process. Feeling those
feelings and consciously acknowledging what is
being left behind, is critical to releasing the
old so that space is created for the new.
What blocks or slows our grieving process is the
resistance, AKA fear that we have around change.
As more changes occur in my life, I’ve become
very aware of the many aspects of resistance I
experience. I saw recently that my
frequent state of confusion around some areas of
my work was really resistance to changes I’ve
needed to make. As I reflected further,
the many faces of resistance such as
stubbornness, procrastination, busyness/constant
motion, and negativity became clearer.
Resistance is also attachment to what’s familiar
or to a desire/expectation that we have.
Attachment is created by a need to control that
is fueled by fear of the unknown.
How can we tame these
fears? Some of the things that have helped
me are:
- Remembering that fear
stands for False Evidence Appearing Real and
is future based. When I bring myself
back to the current moment, things are always
fine.
- Reviewing the
transitions I’ve experienced and realizing
I’ve always come to a better place filled with
many gifts and much growth.
- Remembering that there
are no right or wrong decisions, only choices
I make given the available information.
As I follow the path of my choice, I gather
more data, which helps me make further choices
including course corrections, if needed.
Nothing is forever and I am always at choice.
- Increasing my faith by
re-connecting with Spirit through meditation,
journaling, walking the labyrinth, and other
inspirational activities.
- Understanding that
these changes are opportunities to move closer
to our authentic selves and our planetary
service.
The “Void” or limbo phase
of any transition seems to be especially
difficult for people in our culture as evidenced
during the recent presidential election. The
whole country was in limbo for five weeks, which
many found quite unsettling. Not only are we
used to making things happen, but doing it
quickly. To watch political leaders and media
people deal with the extensions of time and
uncertainty surrounding what might happen next
was quite revealing – confusion and blame were
rampant. Didn’t the whole experience mirror
beautifully what we have been experiencing
energetically? Here we are at the
threshold of this New Millennium, with the
country so evenly divided that the system
designed over 200 years ago was tested to its
core as were we. How perfect at this time
in history. While some may not like the
outcome and, it remains to be seen how well
those in Congress will work together, the setup
certainly supports cooperation – one of the
major paradigm shifts we are being called to
make.
Another thing I’ve learned
about being in the void that was not exhibited
during the election experience, is to get still
& listen. Limbo brings much indecision,
confusion and angst. Those feelings cause
most of us to move into high or higher gear
trying to make something happen, thus creating
pressure and ignoring the divine timing that is
such a critical part of the process. A
painting on my office wall says “Don’t push the
river, it will flow at its own pace.” To
me, this is the message of this phase.
Slow down, listen and feel the rhythm – your
rhythm, the rhythm of the changes that are
occurring - trusting that all will unfold in
perfect timing.
This is also when you tune
into your deepest desires to decide what you
want to consciously create as your new
beginning. Our desires are our soul’s
longings – they belong to us. The soul
communicates with us through our feelings – good
and bad. The good feelings are aligned with our
soul’s purpose, the bad feelings are messages to
steer clear.
And, new beginnings, even
the best of new beginnings, bring stress and
some dis-ease. Inherent in new beginnings
are uncharted waters – new places, people,
skills, and experiences - that serve to stretch
and challenge us providing added clues as to who
we are and can be. If we continue to move toward
what feels good, without attachment to what form
it might take, the new beginnings will certainly
connect us with our divine plan.
We have chosen to live in
exciting, unsettling times where the external
anchors that used to keep us afloat are
disappearing and we are called to look within to
find our source of strength and peace. All
that was nailed down is coming loose so we can
stand in our truth, fly with spirit and steer
with our hearts. May joy and peace fill
your journey.
