A couple of years ago, each step I took felt like a plunge from all that I had known, into the dark, irresponsible mist of the unknown. The loving flow that was supporting me (unseen) gave me little shiny pebble clues to let me know I was walking my path–and these winks gave me enough steady strength to keep taking each, shaky step.
I had an awkward 10 minutes (as often happens during my main gig as chauffeur) as this huge transition was occurring, and I wandered into a library in a city I was leaving behind, had already left behind, and I allowed a book to fall open in my hands. Here are the words gifted to me that day. A few days later, my friend used a gift card gifted to her to gift me my own copy of this book. (thank you, m:)
from Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser
“…you can use anything–everything–as a wake-up call; you can find a treasure trove of information about yourself and the world in the big and the little annoyances of daily life. If you turn around and face YOURSELF in times of loss and pain, you will be given the key to a more truthful–and therefore a more joyful–life.
Adversity is a natural part of being human. It is the height of arrogance to prescribe a moral code or health regime or spiritual practice as an amulet to keep things from falling apart. Things DO fall apart. It is in their nature to do so. When we try to protect ourselves from the inevitability of change, we are not listening to the soul. We are listening to our fear of life and death, our lack of faith, our smaller ego’s will to prevail. To listen to the soul is to stop fighting with life–to stop fighting when things fall apart; when they don’t go our way, when we get sick, when we are betrayed or mistreated or misunderstood. To listen to the soul is to slow down, to feel deeply, to see ourselves clearly, to surrender to discomfort and uncertainty, and to wait.
It is in times of brokenness that the soul sings its most wise and eternal song. I cannot hum you the tune or tell you the lyrics; each person’s soul has its own cadence. You will recognize its music, though, by the way you feel when you are listening: awake, calm, you’ll sigh and say to yourself, “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.” You’ll unfold your arms and lean back, and say to the soul, “Just sing me your song. Teach me your words. Tell me what you know” (270).
Life as Improv 
I have been thinking about this- that you can use anything to wake yourself up. It is so true, yet we forget this, as we try to disengage with whatever is causing us pain. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you for the mirror back. Feels less and less lonely and more and more wonderful – being cracked open!
Beautifully said and the quintessential element in life as improve.
Thank You ! improving, improvising, breathing, AND not shooting any wild life – but I did swat a ginormous fly because of muscle memory; it escaped unharmed.
Yes – so true…”It is in times of brokenness that the soul sings its most wise and eternal song.” Everything beautiful seems to have come from here.
Does seem so, doesn’t it? In the thick of it, I wish it wasn’t so, but right now, having come through a recent challenge, I am basking in the awareness of this truth. Hope you are well tonight…I send tidings of spring, aaaaachoo!
Reblogged this on monadsamadhi.
This spoke to me today, I’m going thru a tough time. Thank you for your guidance.
The words to soothe and support find their way to us. Peace and strength sent to you on your path, today.
🙂 thank you!