Heart's Adventure

I was driving along the highway in my beautiful State of Vermont last week when suddenly an issue I was struggling with became clearer in my mind and I thought to myself, “why did it take me so long to get this clarity?” How could I have learned this lesson sooner and avoided the pain and frustration that finally led me to a solution?

I thought of my years of school and work experience that gave me the skills to be where I am today – and boy that certainly took some time! However, I know that I’ve been able to shorten my learning curve when I am focused on something that holds real interest for me, when I seek direction from experts, and when I allowed myself to make mistakes as part of the learning process.

Fortunately or unfortunately this isn’t always the case. For me, college was one of the best learning experiences of my life. Not because I was totally focused on my studies, but because I was open to the broader experiences of college life and willing to explore life’s possibilities on a variety of levels. This spirit of adventure was key in forming a perspective and focus on learning that supported my own happiness and satisfaction. There may have been shorter path to an answer, but none so rich and rewarding.

So again, why did it take me so long to gain clarity about that issue as I drove down the highway? Would it have been quicker to focus on strategies and seeking expert advice on how to resolve the issue? Perhaps, but maybe some solutions, and even better solutions, develop through a process that is more unconscious. Maybe the first step is to not get caught in the frustration of not knowing but approaching life with an open heart and mind, enjoying the journey, and allowing the best answers to simmer gently until their most palatable.  Perhaps another lesson in letting go.

When is it time to let go of things that keep us from moving forward in our lives? Perhaps it is a psychological pain, i.e.: anger, remorse, grief, or unhealthy relationships. It can also be a tangible things, real-estate, automobiles, recreational equipment or just items that we’ve collected over the years that now weigh us down. It’s not always easy; sometimes we get end up holding on to things out of fear, even unhealthy ways of being in the world, because they are so familiar; tangible items hold meaning for us, evoking memories, becoming symbols of status; they help define us and our world. How often do we take stock of the things that hold us back, the barriers that keep us from moving forward no matter how much we may dream of doing something different with our lives? How often are we pro-active with this process as opposed to being forced to let go by circumstance? Letting go is a process that can take time, but the first step is always finding greater clarity about where we want to be. If we can truly really get a sense of the world we want to create, we can better understand what we need to get there. Creating forward movement towards ones dreams can help us move away from things that weigh us down. What course have you set for your life’s journey?