"Resting on the Rocks"  © 2010  ~ watercolor by Carol E. Fairbanks

                    "Take time to 'coast" and 'sea' life's beauty."

                                                                  ~ Sandi Strecker

                                 "Resting on the Rocks"

One of the most challenging messages that I have read is from the ancient wisdom of the Hopi Elders.  That message says to "not take anything personal, and, least of all, ourselves."  Oraibi, an Oneida brother from the Arizona Hopi Nation, has written in his Message from Hopi Elders, " The moment we start taking things personal, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt."  His challenge for us is to "gather ourselves and banish the word 'struggle' from our attitude and our vocabulary."  He further suggests that "all that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration." 

When life gets a bit "rocky" with life's disappointments, not perceiving the actions of someone else, who is close to you,  in a personal way, seems rather impossible.  The immediate reaction of the heart is one of pain and sadness.  Grief leads its way to anger, and that anger creates a denial of our power to manifest our own happiness.  We struggle with what someone else has done and let it transform our sacred journey into a path that is full of rocks. Indeed, that choice is always ours about allowing that to happen.  So, when life brings a big disappointment, how can we stop that river of sadness from eroding our sacred path into a rocky trail that makes us stumble?

One of the great things about living in Oregon, is that you can always go to the beach!  There is nothing like a "coast fix" to put your priorities straight.  The endless rhythm of waves puts you in touch with a truth about your life that often gets lost in the story you are telling yourself about what seems to be so disappointing.   Suddenly, what you saw as an ending, is really a new beginning....a sunrise on the horizon that offers the promise of a new day.  Finally, you can let go of your expectations and see the beauty of where you are on your life's path.  The rocks become sparkling jewels of sand, as your true way beckons you to walk on.  And, as you embark, in a sacred manner, on that new beginning, you will understand Oraibi's final line in his message.  He claims, "(You) are the one (you) have been waiting for."

At last, you can "sea" this truth in your heart, as you walk that celebration of you.