Embracing the Space Between

 
There are times in life when you may feel alone or confused, not knowing what to do, or where to go next. Usually this happens when you are going through some type of a transition. Your life may even feel frozen in time for a season. Take heart though my friend, for this too is part of the journey. Life is synonymous with change and change is unavoidable. But, that doesn't mean it is always going to be easy. On the contrary, change is oftentimes downright scary and can be a real uprooting experience. Change of any sort can be quite unsettling and unnerving. But a vital part of life and necessary ingredient for spiritual, mental and emotional growth is learning to be content wherever you are, or with whatever you are going through. Sometimes accepting the moment, or place we are in, whatever that place or situation may be, is an important part of the journey, whether we like it or not.

Part of maturity is becoming more steady and constant emotionally and spiritually.  And until we learn to be content in any situation, we are usually unsteady and not well grounded.  There is a nice quote from the Bhagavad Gita that really sums this up, "When a man has mastered himself, he is perfectly at ease in cold, in heat, in pleasure or pain, in honor or disgrace.  Wise men do not rejoice in good fortune; they do not lament at bad fortune." This quote conveys that true wisdom is synonymous with acceptance, detachment and being content with whatever life throws your way.

Life is a journey traversing many different landscapes. There will be deserts you must cross, flowing waterfalls to revel and bask in, towering mountains to conquer, meandering valleys to wander aimlessly in, fascinating seas to sail on and confusing, frightening jungles to walk through. You can't just be happy when everything is going your way, or when life is all "smooth sailing" as they say.  Whether you are between relationships, or jobs, about to get married, or divorced, transitioning through a difficult life phase, getting ready to start a new business venture, about to make a move to a different location, preparing for graduation, or whatever the case, Embracing the Space Between is a very important and necessary step for growth and development. We all know any of the above mentioned life changes aren't usually gonna be easy, however in enduring and embracing them, you are growing wisdom and understanding.  As acceptance grows within you, it adds a new dimension to the canvas being painted by your life experience.

Real life mastery comes as we learn to embrace every phase of our life 's journey.  This includes the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, as well as the significant and seemingly insignificant events.  It happens by embracing and honoring each and every phase of your journey as a part of the total spectrum.  Doing this only enriches your life experience.

The value in Embracing the Space Between is that it forces you to really go deep within yourself for guidance, trust and wisdom. Also, sometimes when you fall to your knees in desperation, it can help you develop a richness of spirit.  It encourages you to surrender to a higher power, to trust and accept what you cannot always see with your eyes and mind. Part of this surrendering, trust developing process is learning or accepting that just maybe there is a reason for the space that you are experiencing. Perhaps you need the space between for healing, to find yourself again, to get your life back together, or to pick up the pieces and move on from a draining, or destructive life situation? Whatever the case, it is what it is...  It is highly important to acknowledge and understand the space between is not good or bad, only new life experience adding valuable dimensions to your life.

Copyright Justin Topik 2013

Moving Forward

Sometimes unforeseen tragedy strikes. It is an inevitable part of the human experience. It may cause you to shrink back, your heart becoming frozen for a time. Yet, everyone knows you can't have the warming, gentle sun, without the harsh, bitter cold. Winter is just as much a necessary part of the full spectrum as are all the other integral seasons, though it can be intense, grueling and piercing to the core. Winter is sort of like death. You know it's coming, but you are never fully prepared for it when it arrives. The problems or challenges we face can be just like winter too. They can be excruciating and trying to bear, but like any season, they too will pass and soon new life will be blossoming with amazing color and divine fragrance everywhere.

Life is an experience. It is not suppose to be sweet, happy, vivacious, warm and flavorful all the time. If it was, then we would never be able to appreciate all the various parts and pieces that make up the whole human experience. You have to know sorrow before you can appreciate joy. We are here to grow, to develop, to learn patience, suffering and to experience joy, sorrow, death, new life and revival.

After the storm, after getting knocked off your high horse, comes a time for letting go, letting God and moving on! This can be painful and involves taking steps through your fear, hurt, anger and pain. It is a natural human tendency to hold onto hurtful feelings, the way it could have, or the way you think it should have been. But the truth is, life is change and eventually comes a season for Moving Forward, a time for opening the door to a new beginning, a time for taking steps toward a new reality. This is something you have to consciously decide. And it is absolutely necessary. If you don't decide to let go and move on, you will stay trapped in your fear, anger and confusion. This step involves forgiveness and compassion toward those who may have seriously wounded you. The choice to forgive is not always easy, but it is the better, more conscious choice and necessary for moving on.

Moving Forward is taking the first steps that you know must be taken in order to change a situation. I am not saying it is always pleasant, but it is something you've gotta do if you're gonna make a new reality for yourself. It's a positive step in the right direction. And when you are taking positive steps in a positive direction, you're bound to get somewhere, someday. Moving Forward is about embracing hope for a brighter tomorrow. It is about trusting and having faith that there may be a bigger picture that you cannot see, waiting to unfold before you, or that there may be a light about to turn on, just waiting to illumine the way before you. Moving Forward and walking through that door is about trust and faith, knowing that the steps you are about to take may not be easy, but trusting you have spirit's tender embrace calming, sheltering and guiding you. It is about choosing the path of inner peace and serenity, instead of anger and hostility. My friend, now is the time for Moving Forward, start moving...

Copyright Justin Topik 2009