Part 1: Find Strength in Adversity

It’s been a long time since I posted anything. My life has mostly been about coping with one challenge after another with little time to regroup in between. All my energy has gone into keeping up with the unceasing workload before and within me. My life in general, and this year in particular, have been undeniably hard. However, I have been learning that hardship offers abundant benefit and opportunity. And furthermore, blessings and goodness have expanded as least as much as, and perhaps even more than my difficulties.

As I finished typing the above paragraph, the light snow outside my window suddenly turned into very large clumps of snow many inches wide in diameter! After observing them for a minute or so, the clumps disappeared and the outside world returned to its light picturesque snowfall. I am left dumbfounded by the mystery of this and so many other small, seemingly random events. This inexplicable occurrence feels like an affirmation from nature and unknown dimensions. But I try and stay humble with not knowing, even though my ego much prefers to figure things out. When I remain open, each thing remains free to reveal itself or not.

I awoke this morning with an insight. I realized that my ego had been longing for a peace that transcended hardship. I had been using unconditional love to try and shift out of discomfort, which is understandable. However, I have known that my path is to receive peace and quiet strength in the thick of adversity, including any nuances of emotional and physical discomfort. It’s a peace that allows more challenges to arise. Goodness and adversity are two sides of one inseparable whole. Our capacity to feel is meant to expand in a multiplicity of direction. This insight arose with a commitment to embrace polarity.

Learning to lean into hardship with kindness and grace, offers much of benefit. Please note however, that the adversity that I speak of is undeniably hard. I would not choose it or wish it upon anyone.

May kindness, patience and love soften any hardships that feel too difficult to bear. This moment may be a benediction and each action you make could function as a prayer.