Saturday, October 23, 2010

Trust the process



"If you are falling...dive!" ~~~ Joseph Campbell

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places...

I took part in a workshop tonight, led by my friend, Debbie Taitel (www.spiritlightinsight.com). The workshop included a walking meditation around a labyrinth nearby. I have never walked a labyrinth before and was looking forward to the experience. About 2/3rds of the way through the process, I heard the Joseph Campbell quote (above) clearly in my head. It was repeated several times...almost like a mantra.

I was reminded of that old childhood game ( I think I may have mentioned this in a previous post), where one person stands with their back to another and, as a test of trust, falls backwards into the second person's arms. I mentioned to a friend who was also at the workshop that, several years ago, a co-worker and I used to play this game during the slow periods on Sundays at the store where we worked. He would sometimes wait until the last possible moment to catch me, and every time that happened, I would giggle like crazy. I think part of it was nervous laughter and part was sheer relief; I trusted him and knew he wouldn't let me fall, so there was a feeling of safety combined with the fear.

Campbell's quote reminds me to embrace the process...and jump right in! Change is scary and exciting and exhilarating...all at the same time. I have had enough experience to know that, a force greater than myself has always taken care of me, even when the outcome isn't exactly what I hoped for. It just reminds me that I don't have access to the bigger picture and what I think I want is not always what's best for me.
So, if you've already started the process of change, why not jump in with both feet? It's scary anyway, right?
Now, that's not to say, do something reckless...take the necessary precautions, do your homework, think things through, talk it over with a trusted friend. But at some point, you have to take action.

A wise friend once told me, "Life is not a dress rehearsal."
Live your life, really live it!

Dive right in...and enjoy!


5 comments:

  1. This reminds me of when I first learned to dive and how courageous I actually still am! It was a hot summer, us kids were looking to release some energy and as usual I was leading the pack. As the alpha, I knew I had to show up or shush up...well my turn came, my legs were bent all awkward like and my arms were along side my ears with hands grasped. I do remember thinking to myself "don't let your head hit the bottom, as soon as you hit the water kick your legs, DON'T HIT THE BOTTOM." It took a few rounds but before you know I had it down, diving, back flips, cartwheels off the ledge..you name it..and of course I was teaching all the neighborhood kids.
    Now, for the "I still am courageous part." It took me a long time to stop taking the lead. I now turn this over to my Higher Power...I've learned to fall backwards almost hitting the ground, giggling all the way down, wanting to turn back to make sure the hands are there...but now I don't. I trust I trust I trust..diving in head first.

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  2. Love this! "I trust, I trust, I trust...diving in head first."
    Beautiful...just like you Space Karma Queen!
    xox

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  3. Let go of the fear and dive thru!

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  4. The fear may hang on for dear life....dive anyway!

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