Graduations are everywhere. Friends, neighbors and service providers have kids who are graduating or are graduating themselves.
I notice that those with graduating teens are experiencing a graduation themselves. It’s a new stage of life for parents and children both.
It feels like a new stage of life for me, too.
My illness has been my teacher. My dreams put my malaise on the same par as The Maharishi. Yesterday, I wondered if on some level I needed and chose to be unwell in order to remake my life on the deepest level.
My first question is, what does my illness want me to learn? What have the teachings and gifts from it been?
That list is long. I came up with most of the items on my list by using the phrase:
- Because I’m sick, I get to…
So just to name a few, I get to get new clothes that fit me physically and personally. I get to drop my superwoman personna that had me doing more and carrying loads that wore me out. I get to be human. I get to spend time cooking, learning about herbs, and developing my kitchen alchemy. I get to speak a deeper level of truth with Bob, even when it’s hard for him to hear. I get to stop supporting Bob in ways that deplete me. The list goes on.
My second question is, can I live these teachings and receive these gifts without needing to be sick?
One phrase for that question is:
- I don’t need to be sick to…
If I consciously choose to live the teachings of my illness, I think it would unravel anything I might be doing unconsciously that prolongs the illness.
Have I graduated? I don’t know, but it sure feels like I have. But like all graduations, it’s really just the beginning.
Happy graduation season to you and yours. May your transitions be liberating.