What Change Can Teach Us

You know, I'm a bit dragonfly obsessed.  I have been for years.  I painted dragonfly pictures for everyone I knew one year for Christmas (no, I'm not a very good artist.  Yes, I did this as an adult, not a five year old.) I dreamed about dragonflies for years.  For a period of time, I had the good fortune of dreaming I WAS a dragonfly. Red, to be exact. It was amazing.  Indescribable.    

So it seemed only natural that I would be drawn to this gorgeous sumi-e inspired graphic of a dragonfly. After all, dragonflies represent change and renewal, hope and happiness.  

Each of us will be asked to navigate countless changes and transitions in our life. Some changes are more difficult than others to navigate, and it might not be the obvious ones.  For instance, I transitioned to motherhood pretty easily, even though it was difficult and there were definitely some moments of grief and pain.  On the other hand, moving to Rome, Italy sounds really romantic and exciting and literally was the most difficult change I've ever been through, because I resisted it with every fiber of my being.  However, without that move, I wouldn't be here. I know NOW that the illness and the stress were huge gifts from the Universe, moving me toward a more mindful life and my right path of coaching and teaching. I am intensely grateful for that time and, when I navigate change NOW I can (mostly) remember to lean into the pain without adding additional suffering by resisting what is real. 

On the heels of everything falling apart during change, we are given the gift of a fresh perspective – we are given the ability to see our lives and our purpose and place in a whole new light.  Only after coming through the suffering of change can we begin to sense the alchemy at work in the dark moments of our lives.  We are stronger, our hearts are larger, our insight is deeper.  Life is far more precious.  

This is a sweet spot. It feels fresh and raw and tender, but here, hope is born. To expand our reach, to connect with a deeper meaning, to stop the war within ourselves with kindness, compassion, and love. It is EXCITING to think about living a life from this place, from this core of passionate purpose.  And following that deepest, truest passionate meaning in life leads straight to happiness.  The. Real. McCoy.  

It's so easy to numb up, tune out, or get bitter at any point in this process.  Dropping out is always an option, though I don't advise it.  If I'm making it sound easy, well, we all know it's not.  It's incredibly difficult.  To sit with painful change, to breathe into it, to let it break you open.  Not really for the faint of heart.  It's work to stay soft and pliable while the storm rages on.  As the old adage goes, there is no way out but through.

If you reflect on some of the best things in your life, can you trace them back to some of the worst circumstances?  Does it change your perspective to look at it in that light?  

Post, Twittified

Resisting change brings suffering and delays renewal. Lean in to experience hope, happiness and the gift of transformation.