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Welcome to April!
Ah... springtime! I am writing this as I prepare to leave Seattle for an extended work and traveling schedule. The leaves are just beginning to bud out on many of my trees. By the time I return my garden will be in a full explosion of spring green. I will not witness a lot of the transition, yet, it will be happening just the same. Time marches on, no matter what is happening in our lives. Whether we are in a happy season, or a sad one, life continues to unfold the days before us.
Spring is a time of hope and new beginnings. Everything starts to come to life... once again. We can be encouraged by nature's reminders that there is always another spring in the offing, just like night always yields to day.
If you're in a dark season in your life, or dealing with struggles and challenges that seem to never end, let the spring lift you up and refresh your spirit! Trust that dawn always follows the darkest night, and spring always follows the coldest winter.
Happy Spring!
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~ Inspiration for the Path ~
"Night brings out stars as sorrow shows us truths." ~ P. J. Bailey "We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey." ~ Kenji Miyazawa
"Be still sad heart, and cease repining,
behind the clouds is the sun still shining."
~ Author Unknown
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Walk On Through
Dealing with the Dark Times in Life
I've dealt with my share of darkness in my life. I've struggled with depression in some form for as long as I can remember. I know how it feels to not want to get up in the morning. I've experienced that deep despair that never seems to end. I know that I'm not alone in this experience. Many people suffer with depression in various forms.
Not everyone (thank goodness) experiences full blown depression, but everyone experiences down times in life. All of us face trials and tribulations at various times. Death of a loved one, relationship challenges, breakups, divorces, problems with children, layoffs, paycuts, accidents, illness, betrayals... the list of 'hard stuff' that can befall us in life is endless. All of us face difficulty and hardship.
I've done a lot of counseling in my life, and one common complaint is that everything seems to 'go wrong' at once. It never seems to be just one challenge, but the challenges pile up one on top of the other. Sometimes it feels like it's 'too much.'
One thing I've learned from my own experience is that when the tough stuff comes... you have to keep on walking. Putting one foot in front of the other and doing what needs to be done in the current moment is the way out of any difficult situation.
The danger is of getting paralyzed, and staying stuck right in the middle of the mess. The only way out is through. We have to make up our minds that no matter what is going on, we will continue to take one step at a time, until we find ourselves moving beyond the challenge.
Remembering that a new day will dawn and nurturing the belief in it's possibility is another piece of the winning combination. We need to fan the flame of optimism and hope that what we're going through is not endless. We can find our way through the pain and struggle, into a new reality. It often takes time, and it requires persistence and patience.
Even when you feel that you cannot move... you can. You really can. I know. I've done it. Just take one tiny step and start the momentum rolling for yourself. It doesn't have to be a big step. You can even take that step on your knees if you have to. Just move forward.
No matter what you are facing... keep on walking. The darkness will give way to the light, eventually!
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Inspirational Song Moments
Emerson Drive
Music is a huge part of my personal and spiritual growth process. I use music every single day for motivation, inspiration, and as a tonic when I need comfort and encouragement.
Depression is something that many of us deal with in our life experience. If you've ever struggled with depression you know how tough it is to carry on when you are in the grip of 'the darkness.'
Even if you haven't dealt with full blown depression, everyone can relate to feeling down, defeated and overwhelmed. We've all been there.
This song, "Moments," is a powerful song about a desperate, dark moment and how the willingness of a stranger made a huge impact. Facing the darkest of dark nights is something none of us wants to do, especially alone.
This song wrecks me every time I hear it! It reminds me that no matter how dark things might appear, there is always a reason to go on. There is always hope.
We can all encourage each other and remind each other that 'this too shall pass' and that no matter how bad things look at any moment in time... we have had better times in life, and we always have the chance to make new wonderful moments. Tomorrow is another day and another chance.
In this song, an old homeless man intervenes when a younger man is about to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge. The old man recognizes the younger man's despair and he gives the only gift he has to offer in that moment... his presence.
Check out this song, and be reminded that "You've had your moments" and there are many wonderful moments yet to come!
Here is an excerpt from the song lyrics:
I know somewhere 'round a trashcan fire tonight
That old man tells his story one more time
He says...
I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like that cool night on the E. Street Bridge
When a young man almost ended it
I was right there, wasn't scared of it
And I helped to pull him through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
Oh, lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments
You can listen to the song on Youtube:
"Moments" by Emerson Drive
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Nola's Movie Pick
The Accidental Tourist
Movies are one of my favorite ways to relax and inspire myself! Many movies have profound messages for us, embedded within the stories they tell.
The Accidental Tourist is the sweet story of Macon Leary, an emotionally distant travel writer who is dealing with the violent death of his young son, and the breakup of his marriage. Macon writes travel guides for people who want to travel with 'minimal impact' to their ordinary life and routines. He writes guides to basically help insulate people from the destinations that they are visiting.
Macon is sleep walking through life, not really dealing with the world around him. He is going through the motions, insulating himself emotionally from most of what is happening around him. He denies his tremendous loss and avoids facing his grief by keeping himself numb to the world.
Macon meets an odd, quirky dog trainer named Muriel, who seems to be his polar opposite, personality wise. His attraction to her surprises him. As they begin a relationship and Macon gets to know her and her son, Muriel's presence helps Macon open himself up to the joys of life, as well as to his past and present sorrows.
It's a delightful story that demonstrates the importance of 'letting life in' - with all its challenge and wonder.
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Inspired Path® Living Blog
Each week day, I use my blog to share my thoughts and spiritual perspective on this thing called life.
Here's what one reader recently shared with me:
"Nola, just a note to let you know how much I've been enjoying your blog each day! I love and relate to so many of them! Your writings give me something special to read and consider each day, and I make it a point to start out with that before I hit the daily job search. I find the stories and lessons stay with me, long after I've read them. Thank you for what you do!" I invite you to check it out: www.inspiredpath.blogspot.com |
The spring is coming. The darkness of winter is fading away as the new hope and new life emerges.
No matter what you are going through in your life, realize that there is always hope. There is always a possibility of a better tomorrow. Look for it, reach for it... believe in it! |
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Nola Drazdoff
Inspired Path, Inc. |
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