Reflections

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  1. Charlie T

    I’m not sure about the term “trusting life”,
    but I am aware of the need to not resist.
    This make me think of the word
    surrender, and how things fall into place
    when I can loosen my grip on control a bit.

    3 months ago
  2. Robin Ann

    I may have mentioned this before but where I work my first job was eliminated and I was either given the opportunity to take a lay off package or interview internally. I interviewed internally and have been in this dept. over 6 years now. It was a lot different from my prior experience but glad I made the choice to stay.

    3 months ago
  3. Don Jones

    I think that perhaps trust isn’t directed to life but to myself. Do I trust myself to be fully engaged with Life (capital L)? And this life anyway, hasn’t been about doors, but more like chapters. The days are the turning pages. Hmmm, an answer without an answer.

    3 months ago
    1. lasvistasjeanne

      or an answer with lots of answers!

      3 months ago
  4. Carol

    When has trusting life opened a new door for me? Short answer: When I became willing.

    Long answer:

    When I realized that for me Life is trustworthy, I realized that I am trustworthy because I am Life. We all are life. Breathing in and breathing out this Infinite Spirit that many of us call God and that our finite mind cannot define. This Breath of Life is calling us all forth to honor and embrace hundreds of years of evolutionary experience and growth. It is doing its best to assure us that if we go with the flow, roll with the punches, we will be shown a way.

    As Avril said in her post today, “…trust and acceptance are synonymous…” Desist instead of resist. The daily question asks for a specific life experience when trust opened a new door for me; I would rephrase the question to read “When has trusting Life made me willing to let a new door open or When has willingness took me kicking and screaming through a new door?”

    I share the poem I wrote in the mid 1990’s. I wrote it in the middle of the night in a small apartment where I had taken refuge due to the kindness of a friend. Life as I had known it for over 30 years lay in shambles at my feet. I felt hopeless and helpless and so alone. I’ve shared the poem before but there are new folks here so I share it again. A few years later, I titled the poem “The Wings of Willingness” when I had a better handle on the power of surrender.

    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 starts to relax.
    At last, she has used her freedom rightly.
    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!

    3 months ago
    1. Avril

      Hari Om

      3 months ago
  5. Barb C

    I’ve had new doors open many times. I don’t know that I associate these with “trusting life.” I generally operate from the philosophy that things work out the way they do and I’ll be able to handle whatever that may be. I view that as having confidence in myself and my own resilience. I’m life so I guess that’s trusting life, but it isn’t some larger concept the way this question proposes.

    3 months ago
    1. Avril

      That definitely sounds like trust

      3 months ago
  6. Yram

    I am not sure trusting opens a new door for me. We were in an organization long ago that talked about “life curves” as “bugs on a windshield.” Maybe it creates a new perspective which is a new door.

    3 months ago
    1. Michele

      this made me think of love bugs living in Florida, here is a link for a great pic for your viewing pleasure

      https://www.thegladesresort.com/gladesblog/love-bug-season

      3 months ago
    2. Barb C

      This line reminds me of the song “The Bug” by Mary Chapin Carpenter with the line “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.”

      3 months ago
    3. Carol

      Yram…Yes, “See with new eyes!”

      3 months ago
  7. Journey

    When I was 8 years old, the doctors told my parents I had 1 year to live (I had a rare autoimmune condition). I cant imagine how hard it would be for any parents to hear that. My parents trusted life and trusted God and I am now 6 months away from my 50th Bday, with a full and enriched life, mostly physically fine as well. More recently, I lost my job at the end of November, this is a difficult job market and I have a very bad eczema since 7 weeks. I don’t know what’s in store for me but I trust God and Life and pray that I am able to hear God and Life’s message and direction for me. I struggle with listening. I know it is said ‘Be Still and Listen for I am God”, but I’m not sure how to actually hear the directions God has for me. Would love some input with that.

    3 months ago
    1. Robin Ann

      I have heard from Religious people to look for signs from God. Also to read bible passages and say “what does this mean to me” .I have only heard that recently though. However in seeking work use all avenues possible like set up a profile on Linkedin if you have not already done so. You will find that you can elect to have recruiters view your profile and find you. Also go to the Employment office and sign up for free interview classes or other available trainings. Just my thoughts since I do have a background in HR. When I lost my job several years ago it was also a bad economy and I did some contract/temporary jobs. Sometimes like in my case they turn into permanent jobs. Best of luck!

      3 months ago
    2. Avril

      Maybe affirmative prayer instead of supplications? Affirming wisdom and stability are your true nature. Affirming the answers are here. Breathing into the still silent voice within.

      3 months ago
  8. Mary Mantei

    The variety of responses to this question are once again expansive. Thank you each. This question simply raised another question for me. Where else can I let go of hesitation and say yes to life’s opportunities.? Here’s to this day.

    3 months ago
  9. sunnypatti

    When I ended my first marriage. When I found a place to live on my own after living with a friend for a few years. When I left my steady paycheck job earlier this year to be my own boss. I do trust life on a daily basis, and things always seem to work out just fine – new door or not!

    3 months ago
  10. Pilgrim

    When I have moved. When I pursued my Master’s degree, which opened doors and changed my perspectives. When I left my marriage many years ago and became free.

    3 months ago
  11. Josie

    Today’s Gratefulness quote dovetails perfectly with my morning mediation…..what a wonderful, confirming surprise!! Blessed day, all!

    3 months ago
  12. Michele

    When I quit my last job and did not have another job lined up first… I’m glad I had savings and then landed my dream job where I am at now 🙂

    3 months ago
  13. Joseph McCann

    I neither trust nor distrust life. I accept and am grateful for life as a gift, each and every day that I am gifted. I have known one who was gifted only 3 years and another 101 years and every amount in between. I have learned the practice of just allowing life to unfold, each new day that I awaken for the gift of one more.

    3 months ago
    1. Robin Ann

      Sometimes life has a way of getting people stuck though and they don’t know how to move forward. In my opinion they need guidance and help and hopefully they ask for it : )

      3 months ago
    2. Barb C

      So well put, Joseph. Life is. It just is.

      3 months ago
    3. Yram

      Well voiced! Thanks

      3 months ago
    4. Kevin

      Beautifully said, Joseph.

      3 months ago
      1. Josie

        I agree…another confirmation of my call to just “Go with the flow today.” Thanks, as always Joseph.

        3 months ago
  14. Avril

    In my mind, trust and acceptance are synonymous. In a recent post, I mentioned acceptance is my chief value. My habituated way of being was resistant and controlling. In my current incarnation I’m leaning into sharp edges and allowing what is presented to all be Divine Mother. I may not love every situation I’m given; but, I’m feeling less and less like a victim and more and more at ease.

    3 months ago
    1. Barb C

      This makes me think of the book I’m reading now, one chapter each morning: Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change, by Pema Chödrön.

      “But wherever we are right now, whatever our lives are like in the moment, this is our mandala, our working basis for awakening. The awakened life isn’t somewhere else–in some distant place that’s accessible only when we’ve got it all together. With the commitment to embrace the world just as it is, we begin to see that sanity and goodness are always present and can be uncovered right here, right now.”

      3 months ago
      1. Avril

        I love Pema Chodron

        3 months ago
  15. Kevin

    There is no “when” for me. I trust life, with whatever it brings, each and every day.

    3 months ago
    1. Laura

      Amen, Kevin. This is the same response that came to me as well.

      3 months ago
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