The Non-Linear Path, Part 2
In my last post about the non-linear, or wanderlust, path, I wrote about how obstacles, or even finding yourself back in a pattern than you thought you healed from, can actually be a sign you’re on the right path. (Assuming you’ve done the inner work and you’re not actually talking about a closed door).
I talked a little bit about the “why” this happens, but I almost forgot my favorite reason. To paraphrase from A Course in Miracles: forgetting helps us remember, better.
If we choose. We could, of course, also choose to be defeated and continue to play the victim role. And many of us do this (I sure have) unknowingly. But this forgetting, these obstacles, are actually opportunities to help us fully step into our power.
I remember, probably in grad school, learning about an experiment done on a tree that was grown in PERFECT conditions. Just the right amount of sunlight and water. No storms or high winds. All the right nutrients and soil conditions. The tree thrived for a while, and then…it wilted over. It may have had the perfect conditions, but not the right conditions to deepen its roots and build the resilience to thrive.
(This actually says a lot about raising a child. In the early years, the child just needs love, love, love. And that safety in love is what helps the child feel brave enough to say…go play at the playground without their parents tracing every step. There’s a good chance the child will fall and bruise a knee. If the parent greets that child with a sense of calm and love, in a few minutes (or maybe in a few days), the child will most likely feel brave enough to go out and try again.)
In therapy, if you offer your therapist a list of intentions or goals for your inner world journey, you will most likely be tested. Not tested in a bad way, to prove yourself, but because your soul is eager to evolve and challenges help us strengthen our resolve, our faith in ourselves, and our faith in the divine.
I love the tree example, but wildflowers are really my favorite example for what forgetfulness and challenges result in. Each summer, the high mountain wildflowers literally take my breath away. These flowers are anything but fragile. Short Flower Indian paintbrush grows between 10,700 and 13,100 ft where oxygen is reduced. Not only that, these flowers endure brutal (and magnificent) summer lightning storms. These are not flowers you’re just going to easily pull up by their roots. And, they are the most vibrant and stunning flowers you will ever see, because of their resilience. Maybe they know, and maybe they don’t, that the sun will always come after the storm. That new life will be born after death, and that seeing them can transform a soul. But you can choose to be inspired by the wildflowers. You can choose to be empowered.
Author’s Note: The funny thing is… right after I shot the video for this post (see Substack, “The Wanderlust Path” or “Wanderlust Counseling” on Instagram), I took Pacer (my dog) for an evening walk to a dirt road up at higher elevation, ~25 minutes from my house. Most likely as I was taking a picture of my oh-so-adorable dog, I lost my car key! Yikes! And I could have absolutely let that get me down and add that as proof that the Universe does not have my back. Luckily, my sister only lived ~15 minutes away, and was able to pick me and my dog up before dark. I also had accidentally over dressed for the walk, so I was warm enough. And I also had accidentally left my back window rolled down when I wanted to give my dog some fresh air, which meant I could stand one the tire, grab my ski pole, and use it to unlock the front door. I also luckily keep a spare car key in my car, in case something like this ever happened. There’s probably a little more here too, something I can’t yet see. The main thing is that I am continuing to believe that the Universe has my back, and I’m always supported (even if the Universe has a tendency to often show up as my sister).
As always, only if it feels empowering: https://buymeacoffee.com/raynypaver
A Dog and Her Girl 