“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh.
Let’s face it sometimes ‘life’ just takes the life right out of you and at times it feels easier to give up or give in to that which sucked the life out of you. If your comfy bed of velvet rose petals has turned into a bed of thorns it’s time to breathe new life into your life! Though your challenges may be overwhelming it’s never too late and you’re never too old to shift into a new way of thinking and clear the recurring patterns in your life.
No time like the present….
Often times challenges and pain are met with thoughts of past or future events or are dealt with by resisting or ignoring altogether so you can deal with them later. The former causes you to become so focused on pain from the past that either you have difficulty moving on or the fear of being hurt takes over and it takes away from the fact that in the here and now you are safe. Unless your life is in immediate danger you are safe at this very moment. Breathe and let it be your anchor.
The latter causes one to fall into addictive patterns to feel better. Addictive behaviour (patterns) doesn’t always mean using drugs or alcohol. You could use food or work or sex or TV to comfort you and turn away from the pain. In many ways everyone is addicted to something which takes their mind away from what is going on. The problem is your challenge does not go away and eventually you will have to take care of it. Focus on today and the fact that you are safe and alive in this present moment. Living in the now calms your physical body and allows you to see things from different perspective. Take a deep breath and breathe in new life for each breath you take breathes new life into you!
All Roses have thorns….
“What the caterpillar calls the end the rest of the world calls a butterfly.”~Lao Tzu
The thorns in your side, so to speak, can indeed make you feel like you are going to die or you want to. You don’t want to feel them so you resist instead of seeing them for what they are; A learning experience. What you consider a negative life experience is a transformation not the end. You must take the good with the bad, the happy with the sad. Everything is in balance and you can’t have one without the other. If you lived in Utopia you would actually limit your range of emotions and feelings. Everyone needs help now and then. Never be too proud to ask. Pull out the thorn or ask someone else help you do it.
If you are constantly looking for the thorns and on guard you may not even recognize how much help, love and support surrounds you. Take solace that you are exactly where you are supposed to be in that particular moment. Although a thorn can cause pain, it can also gives strength. Once you have healed the wound you are stronger because of the experience. Breathe in the clean, crisp air and transform from a caterpillar only able to make its way on the ground to a butterfly who has the choice to fly and alight on many flowers.
It’s never too late….
“Your mind, this globe of awareness, is a starry universe. When you push-off with your foot, a thousand new roads become clear.”~Rumi
Life is precious and right now this life is the one you’ve got. You can focus on the thorns of pain or lay beautiful rose petals on your path. Breathing new life into your life is about breathing in passion and excitement and allowing your breath to transform you. A rose must endure stormy skies and rain to grow tall and strong. It needs to breathe fresh air and bask in the sunlight to bloom in all its glory so it can offer a place for butterflies to land and petals for you to make your bed.~Shine Your Light Debbie
©Debra Taitel 2012 All rights reserved
