Intervening on the Meaning

I am grateful for my life today. That was not always the case. I struggled for a long time, trying to find purpose and meaning. I sought it in various external forms. I won't bore you with the details here. Suffice it to say I was drowning in a mire of (mostly) my own making.

Sadly, it took someone's life, or death, rather, for me to begin to wake up. Honestly, I think it could only have been something that horrific, that cataclysmic, that could have gotten through the stupor I was in to begin the long road of redirecting my life.

As much as the death shook me, progress was slow going, initially. I wanted to feel better, but the willingness to change waxed and waned. As it turns out, change is not something I lovingly embrace, especially when what needs to change is ME.

Eventually, another painful event of epic proportions (thankfully not nearly as devastating as the first) propelled me into action. I could no longer be comfortable in the familiar old patterns I was immersed in. Ironically, that's when the shift started getting good, because THAT was when I put in the effort it took to change my self-defeating behaviors and began taking responsibility for m y life. If I wanted to be happy, if I wanted to have peace and serenity in my life, I was going to have to DO something. Or things.

I got into healing modalities that resonated with me. For some people, that's therapy, 12 step groups, life coaching, a regular yoga practice. Find what works best for you. It's also super helpful to have the support of other people in your life that you can talk to about the changes you're going through, especially if they are going through similar things as you.

Is life perfect now? Am I a Zen master? Not by a long shot. I still have behavior patterns that are less-than-desirable. I will always be a work in progress. But I also happen to be a walking f#$king miracle that is forever grateful for the willingness to make the most out of this crazy thing we call life.

My hope for you, Dear Reader, is that when life hands you a shift sandwich you'd rather not eat, you intervene on any negative meaning you are giving it. My hope is that you regard it as the blessing it is and get to a place where you see the beauty in your life when Shift Happens.