When Life Changes or You Wish It Would

Quill

Chapter One

Embrace the Cycles of Change
How, What, When, and Where
Are You Changing?

The right-hand path is fixed. We live in expected ways. The left-hand path is where there is incongruity, and we think, ?This doesn't go with me.? [It is also] the way you follow your own bliss. It's the realm of no rules. It's uncertain, and you don't know where you are going. There is danger, adventure, things you've never beheld before.

Whenever ego becomes uncertain of its moral position, everything in the psyche starts to move.... What has been pushed down is going to come up.

Life changes propel us into the unknown -- the place that mythologists refer to as the left-hand path of new beginnings, hope, growth, and further development of the purpose that brought us to Earth. From the comfort of the familiar and known world, we often imagine the unknown as chaotic or unpredictable. We resist going into the unknown, fearing perhaps that more will be asked of us than we can summon. We mistakenly believe that to make any change of real value we must make changes on a grand scale.

We tend to hold on to what we have, even when it's a problem. We assume out of fear that there is no pattern to the changes that toss us about. If there are any rules to remember as you move into the unknown, they are these:

Change is inevitable. There are no accidents. Everything happens for a reason. The unknown is already being shaped by your beliefs, life perspective, emotional ties, and life purpose. You are always receiving life energy in the form of people, opportunities, timely assistance, and guidance through the Law of Attraction. This universal law states that each of us is always in a flow of energy that brings to us what we want or need. At a spiritual level of understanding, we could say that we attract people and opportunities that match our vibrational state of being. Our state of being is how we feel about ourselves unconsciously and consciously. Therefore, changes in the material world reflect inner shifts in our spiritual purpose and development, which bring us new trials, challenges, and revelations.

If you are wondering where you are in the cycle of change, take a minute to look at the Map of Change: The Portals. Each portal on the circle represents a life condition, a point in the cycle of change. A portal is defined as an entrance or door, perhaps to a palace, tunnel, or mine -- all appropriate metaphors for the times when we experience success, when we are searching for the next step, or when we are grappling with stagnation or loss.

A palace, of course, is the edifice that demonstrates our accomplishments and status. The palace -- no matter whether it is grand or humble'bespeaks of who we are and what we have become in material terms. Our career résumé, bank account, family reputation, creative projects, material possessions, as well as our social contacts and relationships are all part of our palace. The palace is the place where we live, perhaps which we have outgrown, or which is taken away in misfortune.

The tunnel (or cave) is the place we go when we are confused or trying to burrow through obstacles. It symbolizes our attempt to find our way in the dark.A mine is also a dark place, but it is associated with treasures and resources, which are waiting for us. Going into the mine symbolizes making a shift in our normal, everyday perspective to what we have repressed, denied, buried, or overlooked. Going within always holds the promise of finding gold. In medieval times, for example, the science of alchemy was undertaken not so much to make dross into gold as to gain the inner powers of the realized soul.

The four portals, or life conditions, could be roughly described this way:

• The Break -- time of big changes, disruptions; you experience feelings of insecurity or excitement.

• The Void -- a period of stagnation or loss of purpose; you experience feelings of low energy or confusion.

• The Return -- you can see a light at the end of the tunnel; however, you need to keep moving forward.

• Dynamic Balance -- a period of relative stability in which life is generally good and you have enough challenge to feel worthy and productive; you are looking ahead to what's next with curiosity and enthusiasm, but your goals are still somewhat unclear.

Let's look at some typical statements that may help you identify where you are in this cycle. Which of the following questions comes closest to what you are asking yourself these days? You might even want to jot down a few words or comments as you read through them.

The Break

Someone experiencing the break may say something like ?I've just lost my job. I have no idea what I'm going to do next.? She might also say, ?I feel a shift happening.? ?I'm in the middle of big changes.? ?I'm at a crossroads right now.? ?I'm definitely in transition!? ?I feel like I'm having a breakdown.? ?I just had the rug pulled out from under me.? ?I got the shock of my life.? There is a break from what has gone before. Options are shifting. You're being challenged to come up with something new.

• Has a recent change rocked your sense of identity, living situation, or support system?

• Is there an intolerable gap between what you want or need and what you have?

• Have you lost a sense of direction or meaning?

• Key question: Regardless of fear and self-doubt, what do you really want at this stage?

Answering yes to any of these questions indicates that you are in the midst of change, and...

Excerpted from When Life Changes or You Wish It Wouldby Adrienne, Carol Copyright © 2004 by Carol Adrienne. Excerpted by permission.
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