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.