About this time last year, I was reminded of a story I had heard once about how the difference between evolving and revolving is an R. When we keep doing or believing the same thing repeatedly, then we are not evolving. It is as if we are trapped in one of those revolving doors, which we often see in department stores. We are just revolving through life and not evolving.
Part of this revolving is our inability to put closure to things in our life. Whether it is putting closure to an old job or an old relationship, if we do not put closure to the feelings and situation, then it follows us with us into the next situation or relationship. Sometimes we need to put closure to some of the beliefs we grew up with in our lives. As we grow and evolve, what we believe also changes. These beliefs only have power over us as long as we agree they are true and give them power in our lives. When we realize they no longer need to reside in our minds, we can say to them, “you are no longer true” and put closure to that part of our belief system.
When we hold on to things from our past, they cast shadows on our future. It is hard to walk in the light, when we are still walking in the shadows of unresolved relationships and events. Sometimes we make decisions when we still have clouded vision. When we do, we may be moving in a different direction, but our inability to be guided by Spirit is blocked by the healing we have not yet done.
Several months ago, I read The Shadow Effect by Debbie Ford and Deepak Chopra. They talk about the shadow as the side of ourselves that we tend to ignore; that side we close the door on and which keeps us revolving rather than evolving. So often, we seek to suppress that which we are not ready to come to peace with in our lives. In a conversation with an associate a while back, he said that in order to do so he would have to surrender and that was a sign of weakness. I shared with him, that for me the power to surrender is an act of strength and faith. It is about trusting that the Divine will take us in the right direction. As Emeli Sande sings about in her song River, “But if you’re too big to follow rivers, How you ever gonna find the sea?” Sometimes we need to surrender, so we can make peace and evolve.
When we do, our lives will be transformed. As Debbie Ford wrote, “The caterpillar will become a breathtakingly beautiful butterfly. You will no longer have to pretend to be someone you're not. You will no longer have to prove you're good enough. When you embrace your shadow you will no longer have to life in fear. Find the gifts of your shadow and you will finally revel in all the glory of your true self. Then you will have the freedom to create the life you have always desired.” What greater gift can we give ourselves then freedom and peace this holiday season?