I was looking back at my first post of last year, Understanding healing (January 14th 2018). Whereas I felt 2017 was a year of shifts, radical ones for many of us, it was 2018 that lead to the breakdown or disintegration of old patterns. So many of us felt that the rug had been pulled out from under our feet, whether it was unexpected illness, sudden loss, the old life no longer working or just having had enough of being untrue to ourself. It was a hard place to be as it was the lowest place to be. But here’s the thing, it is okay to be here. Furthermore, in my opinion it’s essential to be here. Why? Because this is the place that gives us the chance to examine what we may have missed or misunderstood and to rise again stronger with more clarity around creating a life that fulfils us.
‘If you desire healing, you must allow yourself to fall sick’, says Rumi.
In coming full circle, let’s revisit our definition of healing. Let’s look at it in its wholeness and realise that it is not only about feeling better, it is also about having the courage to strip away all that we have held dear to get to the heart of our truth.
This brings me to my point, in seeing the complete picture we become conscious of the fact that life is not out to get us and that in fact our experiences, no matter how difficult they may seem at the time, always come to serve us in some way. Finding the blessing in challenging situations is the vehicle that keeps us moving towards expanding beyond our limitations; to understand better, to see further, to feel deeper. When we stop evolving we feel stagnant. Growth keeps us engaged, enthusiastic and motivated towards becoming the fullest version of ourself.
At the beginning of this month my dear friend and an inspirational life coach, Ceca Mijatovic, sent me a quote by T.S. Eliot. I felt so excited and uplifted after reading it that I wanted to share its promise with you all.
‘For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice!’
As a new cycle begins, here’s to meeting the new us!
Best
Afshan x
Beautiful!
It was so reassuring to read this. It’s so uncanny what you’ve written about the kind of year 2018 has been! I thought it was just me who felt that way. It certainly has been the most challenging year for me so far…and has changed me and my thought process completely.
Thanks Afshan, beautifully written. Wishing you a great new year ☺️💖