Many of us face tragic unexpected catalysts that initiate transitions in our lives; a layoff, a painful relationship revelation, a dismal medical diagnosis, a brush with violence, or loss of a loved one, are just some of the few events that permanently alter our journey in life. These experiences remove an aspect of what we have come to know as our personal "fixed givens" by either eliminating a resource we have come to rely upon to function, or dispelling a certain illusion that we live under, or in some circumstances, both. When this shift in reality occurs, and we glimpse our lives for the first time through eyes that reflect the new knowledge, we are left struggling to figure out how process our role in this new world.
Waking up one day, for example, to find that our spouse has not only violated the relationship but is abandoning the union altogether, affects not only the physical, financial, emotional and mental realms of our life in the sense that we have to figure out quickly how to manage our lives and family without their contributions or presence, but also leaves us struggling to clarify and regain our own identity, beliefs, and personal value. When we experience a sudden loss of income, our whole outlook changes and we go immediately into amending our lifestyle, budget, expenses, and obligations in order to survive restrictive financial times.
There is something about being in crisis mode or experiencing the roller coaster of cathartic change that reveals the essence of who we are at the core. There are many that say we really never know someone until we have seen them during the worst of times, when the chips are down, in DEF-CON 4. It is during these times when our true strength introduces itself, showing up to fight to maintain the integrity of the structure and foundation of our lives. The biggest revelation coming from this transition is that who we become in order to pull ourselves through the adversity, the grit and endurance we draw from the deepest aspects of our nature, is and has always been inside of us. As we summon these tools to the surface and become aware of our own strength, will and determination ... we have been offered a gift by learning not only to survive the crisis, but to emerge on the other side with a deeper sense of gratitude and innate power. We will all face a life punctuated with adversity, but what we find left in our gold pan after the mud and dirt and water have been sifted out are the nuggets of understanding we can use to enhance the quality of our lives.
Share your thoughts by commenting...
Want to talk ? Email Erin Williams, Houston Life Coach, erin@erinwilliamscoaching.com
Comments