In life, many of us aspire to achieve the visions we’ve crafted for ourselves. We set goals and dreams, some of which feel divinely inspired, and strive to see them through to completion. We seek happiness, success, and good health—natural and human desires. So, when life steers us in directions we didn’t consciously choose, we may feel as if something has gone awry, or perhaps we’ve made a misstep along the way. However, these unexpected turns are often life’s way of guiding us to places we need to go, for reasons that run deeper than our understanding. These challenges and trials are meant to illuminate our unconscious patterns and enrich our life experiences.
It often takes a significant event to awaken us, shaking us free from the ego’s hold as it clings to the illusion of control. It’s the loss of control that humbles us, allowing us to see the bigger picture. This reminder of our limited control opens our eyes to the vast unknown, helping us realize that what we know is but a small part of the great mystery that surrounds us. This awareness brings a sense of lightness and acceptance, enabling us to release our resistance to what is.
Another gift of navigating through these seemingly unwelcome situations is that they reveal the patterns and unresolved emotional baggage that hinder our access to unconditional joy. Joy resides within us, regardless of whether things unfold as we wish. Even when joy eludes us, we can trust that it’s within reach if we surrender to the situation and move through it.
We can draw inspiration from fairy tales where the protagonist is lost in dark, frightening woods. We understand that the journey through those woods has its own beauty and depth. On the other side, we emerge transformed—lighter, brighter, braver, and more confident for having faced the darkness.
