Sep 12 2007
The Challenges and Beauty of Change
From Chicago’s Dahn Yoga .
There is usually a tremendous amount of resistance to change. . . the current status in our lives fits comfortably around us, and we will find every excuse not to become uncomfortable. If we really think about it, however, there is a significant degree of disharmony we are experiencing on deeper levels, but we are choosing to suppress it, and, then, we wonder why we are not feeling well. The BEST Program offers us the steps we can take to begin to flow with the natural changes all around us, and we should learn to embrace and accept change as the power behind life, itself. Fundamentally stated – when we flow, we grow! Grand Master Lee has lovingly shared his wisdom with all of us, as there are many inspiring and encouraging books to read and to reflect upon. There are daily classes, lectures, special workshops, and much more available to us, as offered by master teachers who provide us guidance and support, as we struggle along on our journey to understand that change is a part of our healing and growth processes.
So, why change? Change is difficult to achieve, but the effort is worth it! There are apparent contradictions that make the journey so difficult for so many of us, but the answers are simple. Truth is always simple. So, here are a few stories shared in the spirit of encouragement when we face our more clumsy and challenging moments on our journey:
I once heard a story of a young girl who asks a wise older woman, “How does one become a butterfly?” With a twinkle in her eye and a big smile, the older woman replies, “You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” (Zukav)
Also, here is a story to bring to mind as you attempt to stay or to return to what is comfortable, as the tests arrive before the lessons are given (by the way, this is what develops strength and courage), during your process of trying to change your life:
A barnacle swims throughout the sea looking for a home, and, then, finds it, be it at the bottom of a rock, or vessel, or something else. He cements his head to his home and stays there for the rest of his life. And that is how most of us think our lives should be. We graduate from high school. We graduate from college. We find a job; get married, and, then, when we become unhappy, we ask “Is that all there is?” But, I always say, I would rather be a butterfly than a barnacle, despite what it has to go through to get there. A caterpillar goes through a whole lot of pain becoming a butterfly, and, if you look in on it when it is going through the transformation process, it’s ugly, it’s messy, it looks near fatal, and you would be wondering why in hell somebody would subject themselves to that. But the end result – becoming a butterfly – is worth it. And a butterfly is only a caterpillar that learned to let go. (Rosen)
Change, especially transformative change, where we refocus our hearts and minds to always be centered on health, happiness and peace, although challenging at times, it is a really beautiful thing. Don’t you think so?
(With love always, Sherilyn)