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Navigating the holiday when life feels hard...

You are worthy
  of peace!

 

Trust what you are enduring

is only for a season and be open

to receive peace anyway!

a 3-day guide to navigate into the New Year

Day 2

 

Hi friend,

 

We’ve arrived to today’s reading with the knowledge of why you are hurting or experiencing uncomfortableness from our time together in Day 1. (click here to review). We also have acknowledged that we are not the only one going through difficulty. And despite how you feel, you are understanding the need to have an open heart, in order to allow yourself the gift of peace, even as you endure big things.

 

You may not like what I’m going to share with you today, but it was a game changer for my life, and I believe worth gifting to you for self-exploration. 

 

If I were to simplify how I envision life to unfold for me on the daily, as a whole I want three things to take place:

 

1.     I want to feel comfortable.

2.     I want to feel joy.

3.     I want to be happy and for life to flow in my favor!

 

Do these three things seem ideal for you too? (okay, great! We’re on the same page).

 

Here is what I am learning:

 

To feel joy, be happy and in order for life to flow in my favor, I have to get comfortable when I feel uncomfortable. I need to trust that what I am enduring, is just for a season.

 

And from experience, below is what I know to be true:

 

1.     It’s uneasy to be in transition.

2.     It’s awkward to go through something that doesn’t feel natural.

3.     It’s difficult to see the good things that are taking place all around, when my focus seems to magnify the thing that feels uncomfortable in my life. When I am this way, it clouds over all the joy, happiness and life’s flow that is available to me.

 

 

To feel joy, be happy &  for life to flow in my favor, I have to get comfortable when I feel uncomfortable.

 

 

I love this quote from Rev. Martin Luther King who said: 

 

“The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience, but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges.”

 

Your challenge and controversy may stem from a loss, a relationship or lack thereof, family drama, health, finances or loneliness that seems to creep in annually around this season. 

 

It’s human nature to react, retreat or isolate during times of discomfort. 

 

I’m quite good at it actually. It also doesn’t help that loss and loneliness seem to be accentuated during the holidays. Do you agree?

 

But before we take the above approach, let’s go further into adopting a new perspective about our uncomfortable feelings today and consider how we are standing in times of controversy.

 

In the Midwest, where I’m from, we annually see the trees go through transition. From beautiful often fragrant bloom, to dreary, bare branches (which btw, can visually look depressing!). They cycle through dormancy for great reason of regeneration and vascular system supply, in order to re-bloom over and over again. (perhaps reread that last sentence). The tree literally shuts down water intake for a season, to withstand the harsh winter. It keeps itself in dormancy knowing soon, it will go through re-feeding and a beautiful growth season again. Its thick bark accumulated over the years of growth, also helps protect it.

 

We too go through what is natural but feels like unnatural seasons in our life. They are uncomfortable and can be confusing and lonely. Yet, may we both be reminded that our perseverance (endurance / steadfastness) is strengthened when we are uncomfortable or going through what feels like a dormant time.

 

 

When you are uncomfortable

your perseverance

is strengthened.

 

 

When we are in a ‘dormant season’ (hurt, painful, confusing, or the unknown…etc.), our tenacity and immovability expands when we trust that there is something positive in exchange, and also trust that the next season (a new and different one!) is on the horizon. 

 

I love to envision a tree whose roots get stronger and grow deeper to expand its foundation and therefore, its ability to stand. (This is you and I when we trust our circumstance is but for a season!).

 

I can share story after story of how my circumstances ended up preparing me for my future and also caused immense growth. I look back and reminisce about the pain of losing many material things during the home fire that I experienced. It was devastating on so many levels! But now, I can now wholeheartedly say that I have an over-arching appreciation for material things that few can understand. I also am more sentimental and hold on dearly to experiences vs. purchased stuff. I treasure people and relationships with them so much more since my experience from loss of those I loved. My ability to feel compassion and empathy, as well as ability to forgive, have also been greatly impacted. 

 

Today I’m asking you to consider thinking of this time of your life as your period of dormancy, where you are being prepared, repaired and refreshed for a new season. 

 

This doesn’t happen when we are comfortable, and life is flowing with great ease! Instead, our greatest growth happens when we are ‘standing, even at times of controversy and challenge.’ You and I are being prepared for growth, even when we can’t see it or especially feel it. It is life’s cycle and perhaps even where the phrase, ‘growing pains’ may have evolved?!

 

There is a quip in The Journal of Thomas Morton that I often refer to when teaching, because it’s powerful to think on. It says, ‘Finally, I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am.’ #ohWow!

 

I love knowledge and have a great propensity to learn, but I have to remind myself often, that it’s through my very own experiences, that I am always learning; more about myself, more about my strengths and more about all that I already am.

 

You were beautifully and wonderfully created. Life isn’t fair and no doubt, it rains on the just and unjust. What you’re going through matters, yet to blame, agonize and not forgive, just keeps the weight feeling heavy on your own life. Being open to adopt a new perspective about what we endure in life—will change your existing situation in a significant way.

 

Let's end our time together today with a few questions to reflect and digest. 

(Back to a short pen and paper exercise):

 

1. How am I standing during my own controversy and challenge right now? I shared how I am good at isolating myself during these seasons, yet we've learned in study one, that willingness opens us up to receiving peace. Are you willing to stand differently than you have in the past? How?

 

2. Am I open to seeing the deeper layers of what feels like a dormant period in my life? The fire in my home caused unforeseen growth. Look back at dormant times in your life and write down what you learned about yourself.

 

3. Am I willing to renew my mind about life's hardships and trust that this season will pass and a new one will be offered? Will you allow yourself to be open to receive peace during the holidays, even when you feel uncomfortable?
 

Day 2 
Trust that what you are enduring is only for a season.


 

Practicing how to get comfortable being uncomfortable opens the door for happiness, joy and life to flow as desired.
 

When we are in a ‘dormant season’ (hurt, painful, confusing, or the unknown…etc.), our tenacity and immovability expands when we trust that there is something positive in exchange.

 

Being open to adopt a new perspective about what I endure in life—will change my existing situation in a significant way.
 

I have an opportunity to learn more about myself, more about my strengths and more about all that I already am through my very own experiences. 

 

I trust that I am being prepared, repaired and refreshed 

for a new season. 

 

My greatest growth happens when I am ‘standing, even at times of controversy and challenge.’

 
 

I look forward to sharing an inspiring story 

with you on day 3 (on christmas eve!). 

 

BIG LOVE TO YOU! BE YOU AND THRIVE!!

xo, dannielle

P.S.: IF TODAY'S READING RESONATED, OR YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS STUDY, I WOULD BE HONORED FOR YOU TO FORWARD IT ALONG TO THEM!

 

 

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Peace is freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts and emotions.

 
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