Being Where You Are is OK
Published on 8 Apr 2008 at 12:23 pm.
14 Comments.
Filed under Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies, Spirituality & Inspiration.
This morning I awoke feeling a bit down. Actually, I’ve been feeling this way for a few days. I’m in transition right now with my business and personal life. Lots of things are shifting and my emotions are getting stirred.
When I talked with friends yesterday, they asked me, “What’s going on?” I was grateful they didn’t ask why I was feeling what I was feeling.
Why doesn’t really matter.
It’s common to question why we feel what we feel. We look for answers to make sense so we can understand. Sometimes it matters to link the dots to a cause-and-effect to make sense out of things. Other times, it just doesn’t matter. What is important is to feel whatever it is that is right there rather than launch into analyzing all the whys. As soon as we make the experience a mental one, we’re no longer feeling! We’re thinking!
So, as I sat feeling into what was going on I felt deep sadness. This first quarter of 2008 has been a very active one for me in my own personal and spiritual growth as well as with my business. In any period of transition (which I’m still in!) letting go of people and things, stepping into unknown and uncertainty, and trusting with faith are part of the experience.
Change brings loss and grieving is a natural response to letting go and saying goodbye. Grief allows us to bring closure to things so that we create space for what is next to emerge.
The Phoenix Rising is a powerfull metaphor from me. It reminds me that our spiritual journey is one awakening (remembering who we are as spiritual beings) and of personal transformation (death of who we are not and rebirth to who we are becoming).
In the sadness there is great excitement! The invitation is to surrender resistance to what is happening and just be ok with where I am.
I write this article today because if you are invested in your own growth you will find yourself in these periods (if you haven’t already). They are part of the evolutionary journey and are not to be feared, avoided, or repressed. Rather, these are times to respect and celebrate as gateways connecting you more deeply to actualizing your life purpose and destiny.
I realized what was happening when I became still and allowed the feelings to emerge. Instead of asking why, I asked “What do I need to support me in moving through where I am?
For you it might mean changing your schedule, working less and adding more self-care, shifting priorities… Pay attention to your inner nudges and needs. Suspend judgments. Be flexible and open to do some things differently.
For me -committing time to meditation, being still to be present with my feelings, and journaling are tools I use when feeling vulnerable. I will be listening to and following my inner guidance and intuition to light the way through.
Yesterday my good friend Gamy Rachel from MindThinkSuccess sent me a link to the video below. She wrote that she felt prompted to send it to me. Love it! The timing was perfect!
Take a look. It’s a beautiful video that will lift and inspire you.
I hope you found this article helpful.
Blessings,
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Alex Blackwell on 8 Apr 2008 at 3:00 pm: 1
Great post Lorraine - I call it “giving yourself Grace.” Thanks for this important reminder.
lorraine on 8 Apr 2008 at 3:32 pm: 2
I like that Alex
Great way to frame it.
Blessings,
Lo
Brennan Kingsland on 8 Apr 2008 at 5:19 pm: 3
Dear Lorraine,
Thank you for another uplifting experience. I do so agree that it is importnt to “Pay attention to your inner nudges and needs”. And we need to be kinder to ourselves and others.
Thank you also for sharing the video!
lorraine on 8 Apr 2008 at 6:31 pm: 4
Dear Brennan
I love your name! Thank you for the comment. I initially had a hesitation to write this post. I wondered how vulnerable I wished to be online. I realized that to be in service to others you must be willing to be real. I appreciate your support in my “telling it like it is.”
Blessings,
Lorraine
Luke on 8 Apr 2008 at 6:33 pm: 5
Hi Lorraine,
I am in a similar place at the moment. It’s always hard because we build a certain level of security and think we are happy but ultimately our heart lets us know the truth.
Great Post!
Luke.
lorraine on 8 Apr 2008 at 6:46 pm: 6
Hi Luke
I have realized how much strength and clarity come when I am willing to surrender and be vulnerable - open to what is next without resitance and judgment. It is very freeing!
I’m here if you need an ear!
Warmly,
Lorraine
Gamy Racehl on 9 Apr 2008 at 12:51 am: 7
Hi Lorraine,
I truly understand and know exactly how you are feeling right now. It is never easy to have transition and changes, especially ones that we hold dear to our lives.
Letting go is the hardest thing to do, yet it is the most rewarding and liberating if we are meant to let go of those things or even people and relationships, that are not serving us or even them any more.
I have gone through two major transition.
1. Career
2. Relationships
That was the most painful and unpleasant experience. Due to the transitions, I have learned what are the things, even people to let go, and I have let go, and still letting go.
I agree with you on that:
“letting go of people and things, stepping into unknown and uncertainty, and trusting with faith are part of the experience.”
I have let go of being an ambitious person for the sake of proofing who I am and what I can do. I did manage to prove it to the people around me, but I was empty. I had a nice car, a house and money and many “friends” but I was most unhappy. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having those material things, but when those material things have us, then problem will start. I still have big dreams, but this time is totally different focus…. And I am very happy about it.
Letting go of some friends I had for many years was one big transition I never imagine that it actually happened. Do you know what Lorraine, now I realize that this is the best thing that actually happened in my life. When things started to happen, I had cried my heart out. And now.. I feel so freeing. I will never turn back to where I left off.
Your example about “The Phoenix Rising” is beautiful. When I was going through my transition, I read about the example of how an eagle hibernate itself. During the hibernation the eagle will withdraw itself to be alone and shed off feathers during this time. (Not a very pleasant sight)
After this hibernation period, when the eagle grew back more beautiful feathers, it will once again fly high and be out in the open. How wonderful and beautiful.
I liken the feathers to be all the things needed to shed off.
Let me encourage you, Lorraine. Whatever feathers need to be shed off, let it go and let it be…. You will have new beautiful and glorious feathers after that.
PS: Things I like about you - you are very real, have a humble and sweet spirit.
I respect you for daring to reveal your inner feeling and be vulnerable.
Love,
Gamy
Eric Roth on 9 Apr 2008 at 8:00 pm: 8
A beautiful, evocative video. Sometimes we forget who we are, and can fall into a sad cycle of limited hopes and weaker actions.
Thanks for sharing your inspiring video.
On the other hand, isn’t it a bit sad that a sentimental video posted to no-one in particular can reassure me that “I am loved”?
“I did the best I knew how, and when I knew better, I did better.”
Alice Walker
lorraine on 9 Apr 2008 at 8:17 pm: 9
What a thoughtfull response Gamy
In the moment of letting go it can feel so painful and not make a lot of sense especially if it feels as if the changes were unwanted. It takes courage to stand strong while things appears to be swirling around and following your heart.
Thank you for sharing more of who you are and being willing to be vulnerable.
I admire you!
Hugs,
Lo
lorraine on 9 Apr 2008 at 8:20 pm: 10
It’s all part of the experience Eric
Without sadness we might not recognize joy. Without limitation, we might not see expansion and possibility or claim strength without weakness.
Thanks for the Alice Walker quote!
Come back any time
Cheers,
Lorraine
Lola Fayemi / Nourishment for your spiritual awakening on 10 Apr 2008 at 6:33 am: 11
Hi Lorraine
There must be something in the air as I am just coming out of my period of “giving myself grace” (thanks Alex).
I totally agree with you about being in your body and out of your head. It can be tricky as there can be sensations that are unknown or unusual, before you know it you’re in your head trying to figure it out.
Why’s don’t matter, it’s all about the hear and now. I use meditation, take time off (or if I really can’t only do what needs to be done), be good to myself and be with whatever’s going on internally no matter how yucky. You gotta let it rise up and leave you.
The best part is that discontent always comes before positive change. The feelings of clarity that follow are awesome. So know that good feelings will come again and for now just be with the yuck.
Well done for being vulnerable, it wasn’t that bad was it? I don’t know about you but the reason for me blogging was borne out of these having these yucky feelings and not having anywhere to turn. It’s part and parcel of the transformation process so it’s just as important to share as the successes. You are human after all….
In love, light and abundance x x x
lorraine on 10 Apr 2008 at 7:46 am: 12
I’m gratefull for the awareness of understanding what is happening Lola
That’s one of the blessings of awakening. You can then work with where you are rather than against it.
I too find meditation is so important as a daily practice. I have great support when I need to process in addition to a hefty toolbox. It’s all perfect.
Nice to have you back my friend
Love and light
Lo
Evelyn Lim on 10 Apr 2008 at 10:58 am: 13
Lorraine,
It is a beautiful movie. What I want to say is that you are loved and appreciated for who you are. The online community, including myself, that you are in, are friends whom you can turn to also for support and inspiration.
I’ve found that meditation helps. So is getting a good book to read. I use the downtime to recharge and rejuvenate. As you emerge from each transition period, you will feel more empowered than ever.
A friend,
Evelyn
lorraine on 10 Apr 2008 at 3:45 pm: 14
Dear Evelyn
Thank you for your loving thoughts.
I’m grateful for these periods and they are not difficult for me to navigate. In addition to what I am feeling, I’m in a strong space with lots of guidance and external support if needed.
I appreciate your reminders that I have friends online too!
Blessings,
Lorraine