Everything happens for a reason.  It may be better to call crises “growth periods” because, when we get through them, we will surely have learned something about ourselves, our relationships with others and to the Universe.  Deepak Chopra, in his Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, states that every single problem in life is the seed for an opportunity for some greater benefit.

Looking back, I can see the lessons.  I can see the growth.  Sometimes, looking forward, all I can see are circumstances that will cause me to experience extreme anxiety.  Is it possible that I manifest in my life that which I fear the most?

Part of a poem by Henry Van Dyke reminds me that, despite all signs to the contrary, I am in control of my future:

We build our future, thought by thought

For good or ill, we know not

Thought is another name for fate

Choose then thy destiny and wait

The more quickly we learn the lesson of our present “growth period,” the sooner we will move on to our next stage of evolution.  The trick is to discover what the lesson is. Catastrophic losses of health, wealth, and loved ones are external phenomena that can point to something within that needs to be explored.  Perhaps your life needs to change.

We always have the opportunity to change, but don’t for whatever reason.  So life takes matters into its own hands.  It can stop us cold and say, “Will you look at me now or do you need something more drastic?”  It will keep trying to get our attention until we take the time to complete this point in our schooling and graduate to the next level.

What will it take for you?  The loss of everything in a fire or earthquake, the abandonment of friends and family, financial destitution, cancer, loss of physical mobility?  Some people go through intense trauma and still don’t advance to a higher potential.  The Universe is patient.  It has time for you to stay in that class for eons if that is your desire.

Each and every one of us has a cross to bear.  What looks good on paper or on smiling faces or inside of a gleaming Mercedes-Benz or silk dresses or three-piece suits does not always express the true story within.  Many have material things and great health, but are not balanced spiritually.  They aren’t in tune with their inner selves.  Each of us has personalized learning lessons, some of which can be experienced with material success and health and others without.

We are put here to grow towards the Creator.  We are here to create, to manifest, to express God.  By overcoming the challenges that we face, we learn to more productively create.  We are to cultivate love and abundance.  If we are born into abuse, our lesson may be to develop forgiveness as we create safety in our consciousness and physical environments.

If we experience physical disability, perhaps our challenge is to move beyond the physical and place greater focus on our minds and spirit.  If we are facing racism, sexism, and other isms, we can strengthen our senses of self and promote peace, harmony, and unity.  Think of the facts of our lives as projects that we agreed to work on prior to assuming our present form, the resolution of which will catapult us to or prepare us for a new existence.

But for the hardships that I endured, I would not have questioned what was inside my heart.  I would not have grown so sick of being sick, tired, and unhappy that I began to know for myself what constitutes my happiness.

My life has given me clues as to where I am going and answers to who I am.  My life has given me lessons to strengthen me for the next lesson.  All lessons are directions, signs, and, sometimes, tornado blown thrusts towards a new path that leads to a new path that leads to yet another new path that places me where I’m supposed to be.  Thus, I look back on my life with greater respect and appreciation.

I hope to listen more, look more, and pay more attention to my next “schooling” so that I don’t spend so much time complaining, crying, regretting, and resisting.  Instead, I want to look at each situation with an open and inquiring mind, seeing each person and situation as messengers, and each message as instructive no matter how painfully received.

I want to interact with Spirit in a more peaceful, abundant, life-affirming, and less stressful manner.  There are easier ways to receive and acknowledge Spirit than through pain and struggle.  I don’t want to be brought to my knees anymore in order to make me hear, want, and accept the Oneness that I Am.

I am learning to integrate my physical and spiritual selves in order to manifest the joy that I want.  I am growing in tune with the infinitely creative part of me.  I am drawing forth the beauty that is me and expressing it for others to see, hear, and feel.  I’m learning not to invalidate myself.  I release my limitations and inhibitions.

I release any obstacle that is blocking my growth.