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Simple Truth 1 – When One Door Closes, Another Opens
This truth is much easier to accept when the door is slamming on someone else. And yet, this is the first simple truth I ask you to believe…when one door closes, another opens.
Many doors closed in and around me on July 28, 2002. My body became a stranger, no longer able to function at will. Self-reliance, my barometer of maturity and ego-identity, disappeared as I found my self at the mercy of medical staff, tubes, and machines. After a lifetime of being a “giver,” I became the receiver, dependent upon family, friends, and strangers for my survival.
While suffering pain disorientation, fear, depression, and insomnia, life looked horrendous even though I couldn’t actually turn my neck to see it! People continued to assure me that I would get better. “You’re a fighter, you’ll be better in no time,” they insisted. “Easy for them to say,” I mumbled in response. I would never be the same again and frankly I had neither the energy nor the faith to envision a new reality, much less hope it would be bearable.
One by one, the doctors released me from their care long before I felt ready. I wanted to scream, “How dare you tell me there’s nothing more you can do! Who’s going to fix me?!” Fragile and despondent, I was set loose without a road map.
In desperation I turned to my physical therapist for support and encouragement. Three days a week for six months I was a model patient, believing exercise was the key to my recovery, certain that healing was all about making my body whole again. (I had a lot to learn.) Eventually, even that door slammed in my face when the insurance company would no longer support my treatments.
As each moment of desperation passed, however, I began to notice that new doors opened. And as I walked through each new door, a new understanding of my situation greeted me…
Simple Truth 3 – Your Soul is on a Journey (Your Body is Along for the Ride)
Have you ever had an inkling that there’s more to life than can be explained with our five senses? Perhaps an inspirational book read during a difficult time hinted at a divine purpose. Perhaps the suggestion of a friend invited you to consider the “deeper” meaning to your life. Perhaps the possibility of a power greater than yourself entered your consciousness during a worship service or support meeting.
When these ideas crept into my awareness, I swept them aside as soon as the difficulty eased or the inspiring words faded from my memory. Yes, I wanted to know there was more to life than the challenges I experienced. However, I was absolutely unwilling to give up the command of my ship to some unknown entity.
I longed for comfort, peace, and purpose, yet resisted any belief that sounded like the religious dogma from my youth. I yearned form understanding and faith, but spiritual transformation had to be quick so I could get on with my important life. I craved truth, yet the message had to be delivered loudly and clearly so I could hear it over the din of my active life.
Be careful what you wish for…
Simple Truth 7 – You Are Safe
As we complete our reflections, I long to offer you safety, protection, and guarantees. The storminess of life has also exhausted you. You deserve a safe harbor.
I realize now, from this vantage point, that I can’t promise you a life with no further bumps in the road. I can’t promise that your life will be the same again. I can’t offer guarantees of happily ever after. I can promise, however, that a way exists for you to feel protected and supported at any given moment, no matter the chaos around you…
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