The last decade weighs in as one of the most difficult of my life. Like being lost in a jungle after nightfall, threats seemed to lurk behind every tree. I often wondered, “Will I ever get out alive?”
Moments of desperation, hopelessness, and despair punctuated my generally optimistic disposition. At times, the breath of death rasped far too close, till I had to turn and look straight in its face.
Personal betrayal, loss and separation, nudged to let go of a dear career, mysterious illness, cross-country and cross-continental moves. On a stress scale all that adds up to a very high score. The stress then folds in on itself multiplying the angst even more. Perhaps this is par for the course in the human realm, but it all seemed exceedingly difficult, overwhelming, and endless to me.
Yet, I endured. I’m stronger, more resilient, and clear as a shiny new pot. At long last, the stars realigned in a more generous and friendly way, streaming the light of insight over all those dark years. So I thought I would share a selection of the potent lessons learned to encourage and inspire those who may be struggling with their own specially tailored version of adversity.