There are specific moments in my life where I can say a chapter has closed. Also moments where I remember feeling, "This is going to change me forever". And then everything slows, silence fills my surroundings, my heartbeat is suddenly all that I feel.
Do you have a moment like that which you can recall?
I'm lucky enough to have many.
Lucky?
Yes lucky. And no, they're not all necessarily the most happy memories.
In fact some of my happiest memories have not had the effect I speak of. I'm talking about those deep, ugly, squirm in your seat experiences. Most of the time they're actually quite unpleasant.
Some of these moments are unexpected and shock us, some are anticipated and built up knowingly. I have also experienced a more transitional change; when opportunities of reflection pop up, like aftershocks of a moment that was less recognizable. But either way, it all ends up feeling the same, doesn't it?
Then there it is...all of a sudden you're looking at what just happened because everything has just changed in a split second.
Take a moment and think of the last time you were truly uncomfortable. Like can't sit in your skin uncomfortable. Does it still make you squirm?
Then what happened?
Are you living it over and over again; not allowing the past to be past?
Does it trigger a thought of gratitude? Because if that didn't happen, you would not have (fill in the blank).
It's whatever happens after that squirmy moment that causes my gratitude. Incredible growth has always followed these experiences, and I'm speaking from experience. If you also found yourself in a situation that you either could not or chose not to remove yourself from...then you know what I'm talking about.
The beauty that comes out of this mud can be in many forms; compassion, love, acceptance, perspective, physical changes too. Sometimes it takes a lot of alignment (some of which that can be out of our control) to move through some of this mud; timing, experience, and additional variables. There can be a lot that goes into this transition. Perhaps you knew the change was coming - it still takes a lot of courage to move through it.
You never know when an uncomfortable moment is going to turn into something beautiful. So be grateful for them all, and know incredible change comes out of it. Spend as much as you need and invite the challenge - I promise you that you will not be disappointed.