“Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.” ~Rumi
This year has been the year that the universe has offered me challenge after challenge… one after another, incredibly valuable lessons learned in the mysterious workings of my personal journey.
The last 3 weeks have presented another shift for me; another perspective check that is uprooting me and opening the expansiveness of the world for me to choose my next adventure. I embrace the change with all that I am, and through my process, I wanted to share a few reminders that have helped me along the way this year. 
- Ask for support. A great friend reminded me that any big transition or change in life can be likened to the death of a loved one (or very well could be because of a death of a loved one); for the first few weeks, our support network is there, readily available, to make sure you are taken care of. Then, as many things go, life resumes for most people, even though this may be the time you need your loved ones the most. The best thing you can do is reach out and ask for support. You’ll be grateful you did and so will your loved ones!
- Cry when you need to. It is unfortunate that we live in a culture where, for many of us, crying is extremely hard to do in front of others. We may feel like “burdens” or feel shame for not being our usual chipper selves. Please gently remind those inner voices to quiet down… crying is releasing and part of the natural grieving process of life. If we don’t release what’s inside, it stays there and can compound over time and prevent us from moving forward. Your loved ones love you for all that you are… chipper or not. There are no judgements when you are being true to yourself.
- Trust yourself. You will be more than OK. You are still breathing. Just as many other things have, this too shall pass.
- Keep your heart as wide open as possible. There is a time when we protect our hearts because of the fear that they could be broken again. Let this be a reminder that when our hearts are broken, we can take time to open them to the light, the possibilities, and the joy that can and WILL lie ahead. These qualities will fill in the spaces and start clearing away the fears that love the darkness we often create.
- We are what we think. Allow yourself ample time to be angry, sad, mad, upset, worried, and/or fearful because these are all very natural emotions that occur during a period of change. When you are ready to move forward, even if only a baby step, remember that you eventually become what you are thinking. You are beautiful, bright, and hold a very special place in this world. Remind yourself of that daily.
- Live! Don’t forget the things that you thrive off of. Do good things for yourself (and only yourself) daily. Who knows, you may even start to enjoy your own company…
- Breathe. When you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions, breathe through them. The best thing we can do is take deep breaths, making sure every part of our body is getting nourished and not holding on or tensing up.
- Hug! I think we should all get 5 hugs minimum per day. Hugs are one of my favorite forms of affection. From the right people, this contact exchanges warmth, love, and goodness that is proven to brighten your day. I can guarantee that. Even watching them can be heart warming: Free Hugs Campaign …
You are never alone… With so much gratitude and many blessings to you!
