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I commented earlier on how it can seem that your life is falling apart when you try new things. I touched on the idea that this may not be a bad thing. Today, we will explore how your life falling apart can be just what the doctor ordered.
Remember that in order to create something, an inevitable part of that is some disruption and destruction. The saying about eggs and omelettes is cliche, but true. If you are reading this blog, then you are trying to create a better life for yourself, and in that case, you have to be ready for a little wobbling as you go.
My experience with this phenomenon
Let me share with you what I experienced when I finally decided that I was going to start taking control of my life. I was working in the fast food industry years ago. I had run out of college money and had decided to make the best of what I had at the time, a position as shift leader at a burger place. I had some knowledge of how to manifest my desires, although I was an emotional wreck at the time. I kept slipping into the victim mentality, so even when I tried to manifest what I wanted, I wasn’t able to do it because I gave away all of my inner strength. I called out to my guides to help me improve my life. A non-physical guide came to me and I knew that she was well-known for creating and destroying in the same action. I started working with her to purge my self-destructive habits and refine myself into a more dynamic person. After much work I made it to the first level of assistant manager. My life got even worse. My romance fell apart. Having gained perspective, I realized that I really did want to know if she was serious or not. As I realized that I really did want to know, I found out. Going through the breakup was bad, but my added level of awareness helped me through it and has stayed with me ever since. At about the same time that all of this was occurring I found that I could do no right at work. I asked this guide what was going on and she simply seemed to smile at me. On a deep level I knew what was happening, but I could not acknowledge it fully in my conscious mind. It was simply too scary. My stress and duress increased day after day and week after week. No matter what I tried, it backfired. Eventually, I was fired from the job on a technicality. My stress level dropped like a rock. My opportunities for a living opened before me, and I saw some of what I had been missing. I had been so focused on the job, that I could see little else. At this point, I was in for a serious financial crisis, as I was suddenly unemployed and had some (to most people) minor credit card debt, and bills to pay. However, this was a tremendous turning point for me. When I had run out of ground, I had to make a leap and trust that I would not fall. Days before I had been fired, I had opened up a dialog with someone named Summer. We seemed to hit it off ok in the beginning, but now that I had been fired from a job that was not-exactly-glamorous in the first place, I figured she would want nothing to do with me. How wonderful it can be to be completely wrong. She saw me as I could be, and who I was becoming. She provided valuable counsel and comfort to me as I resolved my financial crisis and found a better job than the one I had lost, paying more money and more suited to me in general. We celebrated our first anniversary in November.
Why do I tell you this? I tell you this because when you are in one of these upheavals, you can feel disoriented and I want to help you get through it ok. The more you realize what is going on, the easier the transition is for you.
Your highest good may be incompatible with your current situation
Remember that when I decided to take control of my life two major things changed: My job and my romance. There were other changes that I didn’t go into, but these two were huge, and they will serve to help me explain.
My job was a summer job that had taken on a life of its own and taken all my time and energy. I was so afraid of losing this job that I was immobilized. I was incapable of seeking a better job or doing anything other than what I had been doing. Having that job removed from my life freed me to do much more than I ever had before. It also helped me realize several truths about work, jobs, and how they fit into life.
On the romance front, I was ready for a real relationship, but was not sure if this person wanted it, or was just looking for a distraction. The breakup freed me up to meet my future wife (whom, by the way, I met sometime later. The story I told you actually took the better part of a year.) and taught me what it is I really value in such a relationship. Without that upheaval my life would have not been anywhere near as good as it is right now. Ironically, the structure of my life has not changed much until recently. Anyone taking a glancing look at my life would see that my job is similar, and I am once again in a relationship. What they do not see is how wonderful that relationship is, and how this job serves my purposes without taking over my life.
John’s Survival Guide to Life Upheavals
First and foremost, don’t panic. A tired phrase, I know, but it’s important none-the-less. If you panic, you can’t think and will be locked in fear. And if you can’t think and are locked in fear, you won’t be able to understand what is going on. You need to step back and realize that you are in for interesting times. If you can, laugh about what is going on, as that will open you up to being able to see your situation from outside. Try to imagine that you are looking at the story of your life like it is an epic of some kind such as an award winning movie or series of books. If you are into mythology or dreams, it works even better. View your life as a myth or a dream. What special significance does this event or series of events have in the story of your life? How are you going to use it to become more than you were? Is this a trial to be overcome, a rite of passage? Is this a painful moment to heal a greater injury? If you have set up good communication with your non-conscious mind, now is a very good time to use it. The insights and clarity you can get can make this time much more meaningful and effective as a springboard to a better life. Be prepared to take some lumps during this time. Sometimes lessons hurt. However, do not dwell on it. If you think you have to get smacked around to get through it, you’re going to make it happen. Be ready, but not obsessive.
There will come a time when you feel like you have run out of ground and have to make a leap of faith. This is an important part of the process. In fact, I would say that it is probably the culmination of this process. Now that some things in your life have ended (shut down), it is time to start anew (reboot). If you have some Tarot experience this moment will be represented by the first card in the Major Arcana, The Fool. For those who like more modern symbols, think of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indy had to make that leap of faith in the cavern. He put his foot out, brought it down and found a bridge that he could not see because his perspective was limited. It will be the same for you now.
The more you have an understanding of what is going on, the faster and easier it will be to adapt. When you have mastered the art of navigating these upheavals, they ironically seem to almost become your friend. I am actually working my way through a small one right now, that I have deliberately started in order to continue with my advancement. As I am keeping my level of awareness high, this upheaval is downright exciting. Fun, even. To take control of your life so that you are joyous every day is one of the big goals of life. Don’t be afraid of a shakeup.
