Saturday, June 14, 2008

Life Transitions...the DailyOM

Lauren recommended the DailyOM a few weeks back, I am now a daily visitor. I read this article yesterday and it spoke to me. I can -- I'm sure like many of you -- totally relate.
Life Transitions
The Death And Rebirth Of Self

Sometimes a part of us must die before another part can come to life. Even though this is a natural and necessary part of our growth, it is often painful or, if we don’t realize what’s happening, confusing and disorienting. In fact, confusion and disorientation are often the messengers that tell us a shift is taking place within us. These shifts happen throughout the lives of all humans, as we move from infancy to childhood to adolescence and beyond. With each transition from one phase to another, we find ourselves saying good-bye to an old friend, the identity that we formed in order to move through that particular time.

Sometimes we form these identities in relationships or jobs, and when we shift those areas of our life become unsettled. Usually, if we take the time to look into the changing surface of things, we will find that a shift is taking place within us. For example, we may go through one whole chapter of our lives creating a protective shell around ourselves because we need it in order to heal from some early trauma. One day, though, we may find ourselves feeling confined and restless, wanting to move outside the shelter we needed for so long; the new part of ourselves cannot be born within the confines of the shell our old self needed to survive.

We may feel a strange mixture of exhilaration and sadness as we say good-bye to a part of ourselves that is dying and make way for a whole new identity to emerge in its place. We may find inspiration in working with the image of an animal who molts or sheds in order to make way for new skin, fur, or feathers to emerge. For example, keeping a duck feather, or some other symbol of transformation, can remind us that death and rebirth are simply nature’s way of evolving. We can surrender to this process, letting go of our past self with great love and gratitude, and welcoming the new with an open mind and heart, ready for our next phase of life.

9 comments:

Hemanth Potluri said...

i agree with this..since i killed my frustrated part i am always happy with eveything..may god grace on us kindness and love..

urs hemu...

Arv said...

La vita è bella...

MYM said...

I really like that, thanks. I'll have to check out that page as well.

A New Yorker said...

I am glad you found so much value in the Daily Om!

Jessica said...

Hey Hemanth,
It does make life better when we can let go of the small things...that aggravate us. :)

Arv,
Italian, right? :)

Hey Drowsey,
The site is great...I especially like getting the daily email. :)

Lauren,
Thanks again!! :) It's great! It usually confirms, and expands on what I'm thinking about.

Dawn Drover said...

It is kind of like a snake shedding it's skin. I can look back and pinpoint almost every change that I went through... Great Post!

Jessica said...

Dawn,
Thanks..it is like that. :) I would say we keep the core of who we are, and then move on, and change from there...depending on situation, and circumstance.

Here, There, Elsewhere... and more said...

Hi Jessica, it's growing up too, and it's not always easy..:)

Jessica said...

Hi India,
Yeah...it seems nothing worthwhile is ever easy. But, I kind of like that...we learn from our struggles. :) Good to see you.