I’m in the process of trying something new. It’s outside of my comfort zone and, of course, outside of my normal pattern of doing things. Whenever we try to effect change in our lives, there is bound to be some repercussions as well-established patterns of energy attempt to maintain their status quo. It’s important to be aware that this phenomenon occurs so as to not feel utterly defeated when things don’t go as you (heh heh) planned. Awareness is half the battle.
I remember one time in particular, I was a stay-at-home mom of just two kids then. My husband was away for some reason — either fun or work, I don’t remember. I do remember I wasn’t away. I was feeling quite cooped up with the kids, with no time to myself. I desperately needed some time away from the house, where I could just breathe. Anyone with kids knows what I’m talking about.
Well, I made arrangements with my husband that would enable me to leave on a Saturday morning, in the Volkswagen van, and come back Sunday afternoon. We were living on the Queen Charlotte Islands at the time. I couldn’t go far but I could find a place to park near the beach and take a well-needed spiritual rest.
All was planned. According to ME.
Sounded like a good, easy plan, didn’t it? Well. Something happened the Friday night before that made me wonder if maybe I should cancel my plans. I can’t get into details, but suffice to say I had my doubts that the kids could be looked after adequately the next morning.
But I really needed time to myself. I decided to stick to the plan.
Then, Saturday morning as I’m trying to get out the door, my daughter vomited. Would that keep me from time to myself? These well established patterns of energy which determined I was the only one to do all the clean up and caretaking were asserting themselves on me BIG time. Would she be alright if I left and let her dad do the nurturing/caretaking? Yes she would. Try and tell the established patterns of energy that. It was amazing!
There were a couple of other obstacles that popped up in my attempt to escape for a solo overnighter but I was determined to feed my soul. NOTHING was going to get in my way. Well, that’s not true. Things got in my way but I overcame them.
Nice little anecdote, but where am I going with this?
Ah yes, the project I’m undertaking that requires a shift in patterns of energy. Thus, obstacles. Funny, I forgot about the possibility of obstacles. Everything was going along so well, I crazily assumed it would continue to flow smoothly.
It can, but it all depends upon your choice on whether you react or not to the obstacles along the way. Or to what degree. An obstacle does not immediately give cause to get rattled. When plans are not coming together as you imagined they would, the best thing to do is to objectively observe and remember that sometimes obstacles appear as a gift, I like to say, to help me determine if the cause is important enough to me. We get to choose. You can continue to pursue your idea. You can determine, “Nope, that’s it, I’m done, it’s not the right time for me”. You can even freak out and cry like a baby if you want. Or, you can open yourself up and ponder new possibilities in light of the obstacle. We always have choice.
So what happened for me today, you must be wondering? I’m working on facilitating Vision Mapping Workshops. I had an incredible experience years ago in a similar workshop and I would not want others to miss out on an opportunity like I had. Of course, I have no control over how fabulous participants may feel (or not) about my workshops, but I feel spiritually moved to provide the space for others to explore what this may do for them.
Plans were in place. I am prepared to offer the workshop in January, had the venue planned, etc. An obstacle appeared today and I won’t be holding the workshop at the same venue. Instead of freaking out and getting all discouraged that my big ol’ great idea was not going to be honoured — who says? — I calmly thought, “Hmmm, okay. This must mean there is somewhere else I should hold it. For whatever reason that I am not privy to.”
I didn’t get rattled. I could have, but I chose not to. I’m understanding what’s happening here. The energies of my life were getting used to a particular rhythm — not a rhythm that was particularly pleasing or productive for me. I started something new. Established energies resisted. It’s normal. It’s not a “sign” that it’s not the right direction to go, although sometimes it can be. I still feel the call to offer the workshop. It’s a stretch of my being and resistance of this sort is normal.
It’s taken me quite awhile to get to this place in my personal development. Not good, or bad, just is how it is. It’s nice. Going with the flow is the most natural sensation in the universe.
