Connecting the Dots

I came across this message on Instagram on a wonderful tai chi account I follow, @regenerationtaichi with Jamie Alonge. I have held on to this kind of message for years. It’s never not relevant. While the sources, syntax, and wording appear different the underlying message is consistent, steady, and true. Since all is fleeting and impermanent, when whatever joyful, calm, and balanced moment will inevitably pass, I will again turn back to this knowing. Pain has purpose. Confusion leads to clarity. Feeling disempowered invites us to regain our power. Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs. There is no way to be a human being without experiencing massive emotional wounding, as is stated in the first line. In Buddhism the first of the four noble truths is that life inherently contains pain and suffering. There is nothing wrong with you nor did you invite your hurt into your life. No, you don’t deserve it. You are not being punished. You are just human and hurt (a lot of it) is part of the deal. It’s certainly not personal. Everyone goes through it. 
One of the things I have learned is that just like hurting is normal and natural, so is healing. Tremendous healing. We are intrinsically designed for it on every level; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Faith and trust amidst deep pain and confusion has really helped me get through dark times. Knowing I am being guided through the scary tunnel, without knowing what the other side looks like, has helped anchor me when I’m feeling unmoored. When I’m feeling betrayed and turned away from by humans, I remind myself that God/the dharma/the Universe/Source has my back and my heart at all times. I feel my nervous system open up, even a little, when I remind myself of this truth. I have seen clearly throughout my trajectory all the times the shit show du jour was not just inviting me to evolve, but demanding it. We often get the same lessons and themes taught to us in different packaging until we push through and shed old conditioning. I damn well know what my lessons have been and continue to be. I bet you know yours too. It’s really interesting what themes keep popping up that require our attention. Know that Source believes in you. You were made for great things. Shedding skins is a necessary part of the path. We are an extension of nature and so we have seasons. 
I hope these words resonate with you and remind you that the story is much bigger than what’s going on right now. Honor your feelings in this moment while knowing your whole life is an ocean and this moment is just a wave. A yoga teacher once told our class, “I promise you that you are being taken care of”. This changed my life at a time I had never heard anything like this before. But it deeply felt right and I believe that to this day. 

**as a spelling and grammar nut I must point out that “sole” is glaringly misspelled (oof). It’s obviously meant to be “soul”. See? Even wisdom has its bumps.