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Daily Question, March 5

In what ways have the storms in life transformed me?

  • Marose

    Just as storms ravage whatever stands in its path, it also clears away the road ahead. The storms for some time have chained me and left me with all of my vulnerability. However, I realized that I didn’t have to fight against it but to let it take me to where it would.
    And so, it has brought me FAITH, it made be BELIEVE again.
    The storms of my life, made me love myself and appreciate myself more.

  • ADP

    My reflection on this is a literal storm. Hurricane Katrina took our every possession my family had. It has since left me though with more understanding that people and relationships are so much more important than possessions. It put a new perspective on the important things in life, and made me realize to appreciate the relationships and have a greater appreciation for what I do have.

  • Ose

    They brought some awareness of fear hidden behind withdrawal; they transformed grief connected to past trauma into a kind of equanimity and more of a capacity to stay present; disconnection and inner closure opening up to trust, Looking back and although they have brought really desperate moments at times, In all sense the storms have turned out to be a treasure of sorts also, for which I am deeply grateful.

  • Don Jones
    In this part of the world, well lately anyway, we really have a storm. When I just notice it unfolding, it reminds me of a cleansing or maybe a purge. With the recent floods and continued storms each day since, I have noticed a few things. The water – it washes and bathes. The flood is like the long cycle on your washer. It chases down some of the deepest stains. The winds – they are like the wild emotions. Who knows what they will do? The thunder and lightening – an incredible outpouring ...

    In this part of the world, well lately anyway, we really have a storm. When I just notice it unfolding, it reminds me of a cleansing or maybe a purge. With the recent floods and continued storms each day since, I have noticed a few things. The water – it washes and bathes. The flood is like the long cycle on your washer. It chases down some of the deepest stains. The winds – they are like the wild emotions. Who knows what they will do? The thunder and lightening – an incredible outpouring of pure energy. But afterwards – after the cleaning up is done, there is a fresh newness. Us humans hold onto pain longer than other things, but truly, the storm does pass. I look to the make-up of this life – the creation, the maintaining and the destruction. Seemingly it is three. But as I have looked deeper, I can see that the creation and the maintaining play out in the lap of the nothingness. As I look to the stars, I can now see that they hang in the vast nothingness (science calls it the dark matter). The galaxies are tiny specs in comparison. Hmm maybe I am rambling now, but it is the three (creation, maintaining and destruction), the way of life itself, that unfolds in the storm and in each of us, perhaps all things. And the realization from all of that is – the creator is here, right now, in everything – even the water we call tears that are falling now..

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    • Ose

      Thank you, Don Jones, for your touching post and sharing some of your inner process. You put in words how it feels to me also but which I could not express. And as a storm passes, it feels as if a part of our stained ego-creation is washed clean again, supporting to bringing back some of the pureness in the dance of the creation of all, that´s at least what came up when I read your reply. Again, thanks a lot, dear friend.

  • David
    Thank you for the question. After pondering some of these “storms” it is clear to me that the most horrible trials of my life have also been the most meaningful. In some instances, they’ve challenged me to turn the other cheek and “love anyway”. Others have shocked me with the revelation of profound blessings in the midst of intensely painful crises. In a few I’ve been surprised by my own unexpected gifts. Always, they’ve led to a greater understanding of and appreciation for love....

    Thank you for the question. After pondering some of these “storms” it is clear to me that the most horrible trials of my life have also been the most meaningful. In some instances, they’ve challenged me to turn the other cheek and “love anyway”. Others have shocked me with the revelation of profound blessings in the midst of intensely painful crises. In a few I’ve been surprised by my own unexpected gifts. Always, they’ve led to a greater understanding of and appreciation for love. And because of that I don’t regret them. For the most awful moments of my life have always led to grace, eventually.

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  • Blossom

    There have been a couple of things in my life that were so important to me that I could not just walk away. Each has opened up my world in a life changing way, as if I have been guided all along.

    “Someone once gave me a box full of darkness, it took me a long time to realize that this box was a gift.” ~ Mary Oliver

  • Anonymous

    i don’t really know yet because i’m going through one right now and my whole life has felt like a storm in the present but when i look back i wish i was more grateful. in a way it’s teaching me how nothing will stay forever and how to live in the moment

  • Hermann-Josef

    Though many times I didn‘t like it at all, or it made me afraid. But afterwards I saw the storm was nothing but divine mother blowing away dust from my eyelashes

  • KC

    The storms of life are teaching me to focus on doing and being what is most important and / or necessary, and letting go of the rest, one breath at a time.
    Also, as Carol says so beautifully, practicing surrender to let God be God. Or – as Sunny Patti says so vividly – becoming the rainbow! Love that metaphor/ image …

  • pkr

    I am being transformed, once again, as I am in the midst of a storm now. A hurricane, a tornado, a cyclone….yet another storm. The last 2 years have been nothing but storms, stormy weather. Not sure if I will weather this new one as I am spent. I pray, I surrender…..🙏

  • Charlie T

    I am grateful for all the storms in my life. There have been many. Like Carol’s poem, learning to surrender is transforming me.

  • Antoinette

    They remind me how everything is in permanent! Just like me !

  • Mica

    Storms in the past make me grateful for today

  • Carol
    In this question the key word for me is "transformed." I find it to have a much deeper and different meaning than the word "changed." I share a poem I wrote in 1995 when my whole life was in shambles and I could not eat, I could not sleep, I could not function. It was that crisis, that storm, that taught me the importance of "willingness." Wings of Willingness by Carol Ann Conner (1995) The Butterfly awakens inside the cocoon – TRAPPED. Her wings imbedded in her sides – CHAINED. Her...

    In this question the key word for me is “transformed.” I find it to have a much deeper and different meaning than the word “changed.” I share a poem I wrote in 1995 when my whole life was in shambles and I could not eat, I could not sleep, I could not function. It was that crisis, that storm, that taught me the importance of “willingness.”

    Wings of Willingness by Carol Ann Conner (1995)

    The Butterfly awakens inside the cocoon – TRAPPED.
    Her wings imbedded in her sides – CHAINED.
    Her mind is reeling – AFRAID.

    Every circumstance says she can’t move.
    She bargains; she pleads. But at last, she lets go.
    The power of surrender surges through her.

    Little by little, the darkness begins to fade into light.
    She’s learning to trust.
    At last, she’s embracing true freedom.

    Her prison begins to crumble.
    Her wings begin to spread.
    SHE FLIES!

    Some of us build cocoons from the inside out,
    And the only way to shed them is to let go.
    No amount of digging, scratching, or pushing can remove them.

    Only letting God send those who can comfort and guide,
    Only letting God peel off one layer at a time will constitute real change.
    Transformation is God’s business. Willingness is mine.

    When I can truly let God be God,
    My wings will spread and I will discover that
    I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FLY!

    “You too can fly. But that cocoon must go!”Anonymous

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    • KC

      Beautiful Carol. Thanks so much for sharing this! ‘… transformation is God’s business. Willingness is mine. When I can truly let God be God, my wings will spread and I will discover that i have always been able to fly!” Such wisdom… With gratitude, KC

      • Carol

        KC, you are welcome. It’s encouraging to me when someone can relate to my words and personal realizations that have spurred me on my journey..

    • Charlie T

      Thank you Carol. Beautiful. Your timing is impeccable. I hope it’s okay the I copied this to a small text group that I’m in.

  • Holly in Ohio

    Too many storms. I could write volumes, but won’t. I think one of the ways the storms transformed me was to realize I should enjoy life when it is not storming, and not revisit the storms more than absolutely necessary. I live in today.

    • Michele

      ‘not revisit the storms more than absolutely necessary’, very good reminder and sound advice, thank you:)

    • Linda

      I like this, Holly. Focus on the good when it is happening, rather than worrying about what’s to come, or has come before.

  • Yram

    The storms in my life helped me to appreciate my supporters. They also strengthened my faith in a higher power.

  • Lee Anne
    The storms in my life were many, and I am grateful for each one. They continue, too, for that is the way of human existence. I am stronger in who I am. I love more. I give more. I am alive and give thanks for the moments in my days. My heart aches for the Ukrainians and the young Russian soldiers not knowing what they’re doing. This will pass but not without pain for them and the world. This war will make Ukrainians stronger. Perhaps, their tragic plight might help Americans unify as we witnes...

    The storms in my life were many, and I am grateful for each one. They continue, too, for that is the way of human existence. I am stronger in who I am. I love more. I give more. I am alive and give thanks for the moments in my days. My heart aches for the Ukrainians and the young Russian soldiers not knowing what they’re doing. This will pass but not without pain for them and the world. This war will make Ukrainians stronger. Perhaps, their tragic plight might help Americans unify as we witness their bravery, walking through the fires ahead to preserve their freedoms. 💜

    Read More
    • Holly in Ohio

      Very nice, Lee Anne. And I am thankful to you and whenever any of us remembers there will be plenty of suffering on both sides of a conflict. It is heartbreaking to watch the Ukrainians, but I was also watching the closing of a free Russian television news station yesterday, and grieving for all Russians that are losing their free press and some of their freedoms to speak and protest. Thank you for your comments.💜

  • Laura

    Each time I faced a storm I wondered how I would get through it, how could I avoid the damage and heartache I knew it would cause. Each one rocked my world, blowing away carefully constructed scaffolding. Each one revealed strength I didn’t know I had, rooted to a foundation I too often forgot was there. It’s those repeated discoveries over many years that have made me more grounded, patient, empathetic and hopeful.

  • EJP

    The storms in life make me more…..stronger, courageous, grateful for all that I am and for all that I have.

  • Mary Pat

    They have given me compassion for “the other guy”. And in that, I realized we are ALL “the other guy”.

    • KC

      Thanks Mary Pat. Yes! So true …

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