I have a couple of friends who are going through a lot of life changes that have been thrust upon them, suddenly, surprisingly and forcefully. By our ages, we’ve all been there – probably more than once. And the last thing that anyone wants to hear during one of these “tossed out of the nest” moments is, “Oh wow, this experience really is a gift. As the Narrator said in Fight Club, “It’s Only After We’ve Lost Everything That We’re Free To Do Anything.”
That is truly the beauty of any moment, when you feel like life as you knew it, is falling away. You are no longer sitting tight in that warm little cocoon of your carefully prepared nest, and instead you are out in wide open space, flapping your wings desperately, not sure what direction to head in, other than not wanting to plunge down to your lowest depths. You are so scared, flapping fiercely in place, that you fail to see the amazing, wide open horizon that is available for you to soar in, and to fly in, in so many possible, exciting directions. In the initial “push out”, you often fail to realize the wide open beauty of the free skies, and you often fail to realize that you are still flying high, with the natural ability of your own strong, capable, experienced wings.
The Universe knows what it is doing. We humans often aren’t good at taking risks, trying to step out of our own little paradigms which we have created as orderly safehouses for ourselves. Much like we mothers innately know that eventually, in order to be good mothers, and in order to fulfill our motherly duties, we have to urge our little hatchlings out of the nest, the Universe does the same for us, on a much larger scale. The Universe understands our potential better than anyone, certainly better than our rational selves.
The initial “push out” from our various “nests” throughout our lifetime (starting when we leave the safety of our own mothers’ wombs), feels like a gut punch. Every. Single. Time. It’s at these times when our inner child starts screaming, “This is not fair!” And our inner child is right, life isn’t fair. But what our inner child forgets is that we are equipped to deal with the unfairness of it all. We are equipped with the ability to take really lousy situations and alchemize them into some of the most vital moments that have defined us, in our own lifetimes. We are filled with the strength to carry on, and to become versions of ourselves whom we love and whom we trust and whom we admire, like we never have before. And with each push-out of the various nests of our lives, we become better equipped with the confidence and the strength, to soar to authentic heights higher than we have ever before imagined. And in doing this for ourselves, we inspire other little birds who have just been pushed out of their nests, to see and to experience the divinity of soaring.
Are you passing on love or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.
Good morning, Kelly. Loved the idea about being equipped to deal with the unfairness of the situation and to take that first step then watch how you soar. I have a son who is always being handed some crazy situations…as in, just when you think it couldn’t get any worse…there it is, getting worse. Your words will help me remind him that by now he’s more than capable of handling most anything. Thank you! Hope you’re doing well.
I hope that your son feels relief soon, Gail, and that it will lead him to an inspiring lifetime for himself and as an example for others. <3
Thank you, Kelly.
Kelly,
This month has been a whirlwind for me. I traveled to Pittsburgh at the end of July to see & help my parents as I have been accustomed to doing every 8 to 10 weeks since I moved to Florida 5 years ago. My dad had been in the hospital, due to some symptoms of weakness after having been sick. On August 3rd, my father passed away. To say my life has been a whirlwind is a complete understatement. As is my mom’s! And my brothers’. As I read your post, I am caught between thinking who is being pushed out of their nest. My mom is now with us in Florida, a huge change for her. My brothers and I now have a new responsibility that we are trying to grapple with. Life is certainly change, the push-out, or leaving of the nest happens in different ways, at different ways throughout our life. I hope that in my particular situation, which is causing me lots of stress and anxiety, I will come to soar to new heights and be able to take on the new challenges and daily life changes that are about to have a significant impact on me. It is a lot right now, I hope I can do what will be required of me with humility, patience, kindness, and most of all great love.
Joan, I am so sad and sick to read this. I’m really, really sorry for the loss of your father. I have no doubts that your whole family will soar, but the loss of footing must hurt a lot right now. May have knowing your father’s love, and loving him, be the wind beneath your wings. <3
Hi Joan. I’m sorry to hear of your earthshaking loss. I don’t know your situation, of course, but I can offer you this from my experience: the patience comes and goes, but the kindness is always there. Treat yourself kindly too.