Exposed! To Ourselves

It has been an interesting time for all of us.  The energy of this world has been chaotic, filled with fear and even at times moments of discouragement.

Many of us on the path have had to wrestle with our inner demons as we  were forced to be isolated, far from the distractions that we use to have to avoid them. People who have lived  together for years, were really together 24/7 for months. Old unresolved inner issues became front and center. Memories and past behaviors, where we were less than our highest self, came back and hit us like a boomerang. We were "exposed" to ourselves. 

This exposure to ourselves, especially our past selves, required a whole lot of compassion and self love.  The demons we wrestled with were only as powerful as we allowed them be.  Forgiving our past mistakes and our younger selves annihilates  the demons of regret.  Realizing that many, if not most of those past behaviors or mistakes, were made from a place of fear. Had we'd known then what we know now, perhaps we would have chosen differently. 

That being said, it is also true that you are where you are right now because of those "mistakes and past poor behaviors."  Looking back at ourselves with compassion and even looking inwardly in the present, allows us the opportunity to grow spiritually and emotionally.

Applying compassion to our regrets transforms them into empathy for others, If and only if we can apply that empathy to ourselves first.  It softens us and our judgements toward others. It strengthens us  and humbles us at the same time. It makes us more conscious of our present behavior. More mindful of our actions and reactions.  It allows us the time to respond intelligently and mindfully toward the people we interact with in our lives. We can then behave more gently toward our human condition which is filled with a lot of fear, anger, resentment, and disturbing chaos, but it is also filled with love, peace, joy and creative chaos. 

I believe that this present time is a time of transition into a better world.  It only requires that we move past the fear and self loathing into a place of acceptance of our human condition. Loving what is but finding the determination to grow into the people we are meant to be. People of love, peace, harmony and joy.   

Yes, this time has been chaotic and yes, many of us have been in a whirlwind of self discovery and reflection. This is good!  Use it all for your own self growth. Make the world within your reach and your inner world holier, more beautiful and peaceful. Find your balance, grow from and forgive your mistakes.