“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.” ― Rumi
One morning during my regular reading and writing time, I came across this message, “Old and negative habits, patterns and beliefs are being replaced with new, more positive ones.” I was struck by this message because it wasn’t telling me to replace the negative, but rather that it was being replaced. Then I thought maybe, just maybe, I simply need to let go and allow the Universe to bring positive change into my life, rather than my usual mode of doing, struggling, achieving, failing, guilting and shaming. In other words, controlling. Maybe I needed to let go of control and let the Universe shoulder the load, to become a co-creator of my life rather than trying to do everything on my own.
Our lives have flow, just like nature. Much like a tree that sheds its leaves in the fall and rests throughout the winter, spring arrives and new growth happens, bigger and better than the previous year. The tree doesn’t try to do this. It doesn’t look at its neighboring tree and compare its growth with theirs. It doesn’t chart goals to achieve or take pride at checking items off its list. It just is. This cycle of growth repeats year after year until the tree dies – shedding the old, resting, allowing new growth. The tree never reaches a point of complete or finished. It simply continues the process. There are some things that are in our power, but for others, maybe we need to release control and trust in something bigger than ourselves. To simply allow growth to happen.
One particularly clingy, negative belief of mine is that I don’t deserve good in my life. Whether it’s been happiness, love or achievement, I have sometimes had difficulty receiving it due to this belief. But why wouldn’t I be deserving? I was created just like the tree outside my window or the little wren that stops by to visit. In fact, the very truth that I was an “accident” points to the awesome magic of the Universe – the miracle of creation. Nature reminds us often that it doesn’t need our help, though it welcomes our participation in co-creating our lives with open arms.
You are meant to be here.
Any control we perceive is illusion. Just let it go. Let go of the idea that you need to try harder or do better. Allow yourself to simply be and know you are enough just as you are – right here, right now. Allow yourself to grow and become the wonderful creation you are meant to become. Observe yourself with curiosity rather than judgement. See yourself with eyes of love, not hate. Because no matter what circumstances brought you into this world, you are no accident. You are meant to be here.
There are some who are born into this world under the weight of enormous expectations. Born into positions of power and pressure, they are “destined for greatness.” I was born into the opposite circumstances. No one expected anything from me. I was a cosmic burp, nature’s uh-oh…at least to the family I was born into. But the vast wisdom of the Universe had other plans for me. My story isn’t finished. In fact, it’s just getting to the good part.
I have enjoyed much good in my life. My heart has been touched by three beautiful children, all of whom are miracles stories in their own right. I have known true love. The message I received that morning is clear – trust the process, release control, allow change and growth, allow the Universe to rearrange my life if need be. It has a bigger perspective of the picture of my life than I could ever hope to.
So breathe through your growing pains. Let go of expectations. Release the “shoulds.” Erase the image of what the world told you to be. Just be you and know that is enough. Each of us is a creation and because of that, we also are meant to create. It could be a work of art, a loving home for your family or a more economical way to create clean drinking water for those who don’t have it…what you create does not matter. Oh, and don’t worry about the how. Just start taking little steps each day toward what you know you must do and the Universe will meet you there. I promise.