Thursday, December 27, 2012
On the Razor's Edge
Sometimes the darkest challenges, the most difficult lessons, hold the greatest gems of light. –Barbara Marciniak
As the year comes to a close, with all its attendant reflections, the image of 2012 that keeps coming to my mind is the razor’s edge. It is not a place of comfort. It’s not a good place to take a nap. When we are there, we usually want to be somewhere else. Anywhere else. Instead, we find ourselves face to face with fear...and opportunity.
This is where we practice, where we have an opportunity to grow, to deepen, to awaken. When things are as we wish, we can relax and enjoy. But when challenges arise, we must respond. Walking on the razor’s edge requires alertness, balance, openness, care, courage.
Seems like I have spent a significant amount of time this year on the razor’s edge. Fears that I thought were long laid to rest have burbled up from the abyss. Circumstances have thrown me into familiar dilemmas, challenging me to choose, over and over, whether to react with anger, anxiety, and futile efforts to control, or to breathe myself open, to wait, to offer compassion, to have faith.
Where, in the past, I often chose fear, life has been gently saying to me this year, “Choose again.” And for the most part, I have chosen differently. It’s hard sometimes. That’s why we speak in terms of practicing kindness, practicing compassion, practicing forgiveness.
2012 has given my plenty of opportunities to practice all of these. Although I have had a few whiny “why me” moments, I find myself reflecting on the year with profound gratitude, a humble confidence, a sustaining faith, and a peace that indeed passes all understanding.
Is there an image or phrase that captures the essence of 2012 for you?
related posts: Embrace the Tiger; The Dance of Fear
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wonderfully said. Fear is never a good choice.
ReplyDeleteGail, True, it never is. What about you this year? Any images or phrases stand out?
Delete"Where, in the past, I often chose fear, life has been gently saying to me this year, “Choose again.”"
ReplyDeleteFunny how the Universe keeps testing you until you answer correctly. No shortcuts or bypassing.
For me 2012 has been a year of developing patience. I'm afraid I didn't graduate. Going to have to keep working on it in 2013, but I have made progress.
Dan @ ZenPresence
Dan, Yeah, the Universe is persistent that way! Patience has often been a challenge for me, too, especially when I am in discomfort. I want things better and I want them better fast! "Better" meaning of course the way I want them! I guess patience starts at home, with ourselves.
DeleteLoved this, Dan. Oh, and welcome to the club! I don't think character is ever finished. It's a life-long process, a little progress at a time. So really, you succeeded in 2012 because you did, in fact, progress! :)
DeleteIt's wonderful that you look upon 2012 with gratitude, even though much was spent on the razon's edge (wonderful image). I am doing some pondering on what 2012 meant to me, too, and I hope I have the gratitude for it that you express.
ReplyDeleteTina, I hope you can experience gratitude for whatever lessons and blessings 2012 has brought into your life.
Delete2012 for me was a year of discovery - some good, some not so good, but mostly I feel like I overcame the fears I had when I started the year. I think that might be a good thing and something to feel good about. I am excited to see what comes to me next year.
ReplyDeletebrenda, Discovery-that's a good thing. Open and curious. And if you have overcome fears, then it has been a very successful year! I'm excited, too, to see what next year brings.
Delete2012 has been a wonderful year of learning for me, Galen. I've become more conscious of myself and my abilities and have also found many more ways to "give" in a real way. In a sense, it has been a period of growing up significantly. I've been able to achieve more focus, overall. Naturally I look upon the year past with great gratitude for the things I've learned, the people I've connected with and all that I have received. I now look forward to giving more. So the phrase "blank check" fits me for 2012 - for I have felt unlimited in many ways. There is infinite love to give.
ReplyDeleteHugs! I am looking forward to spending 2013 with you!
P.S.: That razor's edge is important for a close shave. So that's good too!
Vidya, A theme of giving in your life this year does not surprise me. You shower the world with your giving spirit, in literal giving ways as well as in loving ways. You are a model of true generosity.
DeleteHi Galen!
ReplyDeleteThere has been a whole lot of razor edge stuff going on this year that has saturated the news and underscored the reality that much of the world lives much of the time on that edge. What you do here and through your book and your example, Galen, is to shine a beautiful light on how we can stay upright, making the edge wider and wider as we pour more and more love and kindness and forgiveness into our feet and walk the walk of human decency and compassion.
Thanks for all you do, Galen. And may 2013 provide you with all the beauty and love and opportunity you've poured into the world yourself!
Ken, So true that my personal challenges have paralleled global challenges in that they all have given us, as individuals and as communities and nations, opportunities to choose to keep our hearts open rather than to react in fear. I appreciate your kind words so much. Did you know my word this year is Shine? And thank you for the good wishes for 2013. May all our lights shine brightly next year!
DeleteIn one way it's hard to respond to this post! My heart goes out to you having had to bear all these challenges, but then again, as you say, this is the edge of growth. It's so encouraging to hear that you are choosing to respond in a new way. Humble confidence! A peace that indeed passes all understanding! That's amazing. I'm so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThe word/phrase that comes to my mind for the past year is turning a corner. I hope too to be able to respond more often in the new ways you describe! Wishing you the best in 2013.
Sandra, Thank you for the consoling and encouraging words. No one plans to have challenges, and yet many of us end up being grateful for them because we see the blessings that grow out of them. Turning a corner for you...I can see that in your life. We are both positioned just right for some amazing things next year. Wishing all the best for all of us.
DeleteI'm going to go out on a limb, and suggest that this razor's edge may be something you've carried in you a long time, because it keeps you focused and moving forward the same way little skin cuts focus an unhappy teenage girl toward feeling alive. You are a super-generous, deeply loving, high achiever! If you have any flaw at all it's related to difficulties in relaxing (hyper-vigilance), although you probably would diligently follow a well-planned program for doing that too ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to a visit - in three or so years.
Mikey, You know me well! I think the difference now is that I try to stay on the razor's edge and learn, rather than jumping off to escape. And the hyper-vigilance that characterized my early life has relaxed. Not necessarily because I got so much wiser, but because I wore myself out! A visit with you would be a real treat in any year!
Deleteoh my... "choose again" good one! I need to borrow that line of thinking/questioning for myself.
ReplyDeleteThere are times with my kids something will happen and a 'painful' consequence will follow... loss of a toy, or hurt feelings, or whatever and they will get upset or angry or sad and I'll ask them if they would like a chance to do it differently. I sometimes forget that 'it' can apply to me as well.
So, I guess for me mine is second chances... I believe in second chances and opportunities to do differently.
Amy, I have a painting in my room titled "For today, newly bright." It reminds me that every day is a new chance. I'm glad you had second chances this year. We'll have more next year!
DeleteThis is been a year of growth and independence for me. No kids. No husband. No "job". Just me and my dreams -- Could we truly be happy together? And it's been a year of planting seeds. Looking forward to reaping some harvest in 2013 ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy, Wonderful, Magical New Year, Galen! XOXO
Linda, My image of you for this year was riding that mechanical bull. You are my cowgirl hero! Since my kids just moved out, I think next year will be one of growth and independence for me, so I'm following your lead. Happy New Year, to you, too!
DeleteThis year has meant loosening up for me. From being a stringent and uptight person to reckless, lesser-thoughtful I've now turned into an appreciator of every moment in life.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that nothing ends, death is just a phase and eventually everything hails for the best, this has probably turned out to be the best year, probably 'cause all my fears have been conquered.
Hope you get to face a better year this 2013 with lots and lots of happiness and an answer for every question that you're looking for. Hope there turn out to be no regrets the next year when you pen down your thoughts.
Love.
Take Care :)
Facing and making peace with death is the ultimate liberation. Sounds like you have freed yourself to live every moment fully. No regrets! Best wishes for us all next year.
DeleteFear is just a feeling that we should not embrace, rising above it, not letting it consume us. When I am faced with something that I'm feeling afraid of or fear- then is the time to think how can this be turned around. I have lots of mantras just for driving on horrible winter roads- because when I commit to being afraid, I am done for. My image for this year and really every year, is that of a pure beloved child, that is like fresh fallen snow, before it melts, take care to guide it to the right light of day, love it, cherish it and teach it, before it's true late. A most happy new year for you and especially with all your new changes of empty house all for MOM!
ReplyDeleteKaren, What a beautiful, pure image. Thank you for sharing that. And for your thoughts on fear. I like your approach of rising above fear rather than fighting it. And thanks for the good wishes. I think 2013 is going to be a fantastic year, just like 2012 has been in its own way.
DeleteFor me this has really been a year of self-discovery: of finding out who I am and what I have to offer at the soul level. It has truly been gratifying, and I plan to expand on it exponentially in the new year, if possible.
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited to see where you're going as well, and I hope you end up in a place of peace and satisfaction, when all is said and done. I suspect that this is very possible for you in the near future. You are such a beautiful soul! :-)
Jennifer, I like the idea of exponential expansion! Thanks for your guidance for this next year. When I'm not on the razor's edge, I'm definitely in a place of peace and satisfaction.
DeleteHow fascinating that many of us are reflecting on a similar topic! I'm just finishing up a new article at my blog that ruminates on these similar thoughts. I guess it is just human nature to reflect on the year as we count down the final days in preparation to greeting the new year.
ReplyDelete"Balancing on a razor's edge" is such a spot on analogy! I know my own 2012 was a vast journey of that type of balancing. I don't know how many times I fell off that edge, how many cuts and scratches my soul collected in the process. I just know that I survived it all, and that I am still absorbing the lessons received.
I always enjoy visiting you & viewing the world through your personal window. Best wishes to you for a beautiful 2013!
- Dawn
Dawn, Thanks for sharing your reflections and for the kind words. I look forward to reading your article when I get back in a few days.
DeleteFunny comment Vidya! Sharp razor is good for a close (and clean) shave but also a bad cut haha Galen I think I was a lot closer to the edge last year and earlier this year but stepping slightly away from the razor's edge. Not by choice so much but by circumstance - healing through time, inspiration and soul-development:) the world is still as crazy but I don't have to be. haha you can quote me on that!! thanks for a great year of inspiration and happy new year.
ReplyDeleteVishnu, Yes, I love Vidya's humor. And yours. And I will definitely borrow that quote. I love it. Happy New Year to you, too.
DeleteSettling...calming...finding peace in the now and learning not to spin so far ahead of myself. That was my 2012 along with many other valuable lessons.
ReplyDeleteNicole, Spinning ahead...that's a good way to describe it. I have a lot to be grateful for this year, many valuable lessons, too.
DeleteI love the peace that surpasses all understanding! I am in the middle of your book and loving it.Keep shaking my head yes!
ReplyDeleteJodi, I'm so glad yo are enjoying the book. Best wishes to you for the new year.
DeleteThe essence of 2012 for me was trusting all is unfolding well. And I got a lot better at Being Here Now -- a great place to be.
ReplyDeleteI came here from Wise Ears Patricia's. Very glad I clicked over!
And I am intrigued about your 10 steps! Knowing what habits to lose is a real gift for sure.
Jannie, Welcome! I'm glad you clicked over, too. I love Patricia's blog. Like you, I'm learning to trust the basic goodness of the universe. I hope you will visit again. If you want to know more about any one of the 10 steps, you can go to the labels box in the right margin and find posts that focus on whatever step you are interested in. My book on the 10 steps is also available in paperback or as an ebook. Best wishes for 2013.
DeleteJust another lovely post today; I loved it. Actually, I related to it a lot. I have a family situation that I would love to attack; but I know in my heart and through the spirit that I need to just be kind, patient and loving. Very hard to do sometimes; but I too am glad I have had the self-control to do it. Thanks for your thoughts and it helped me realize that I have made it through the year without any upsetting moment.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs to you and have a wonderful New Year celebration.
LeAnn, These family situations are where our faith is tested, aren't they? Definitely the razor's edge! Thanks for your kind words, and Happy New Year to you.
DeleteI Love coming here and reading your Sage Posts because I can always come away with Wisdom and the Knowing that I am not alone in many of the things I have to "Practice". *Winks* I never really thought of the place as 'The Razor's Edge' and it is a good and fitting way to describe it. Yes there are Images of 2012 that define and capture the Essence of what we have experienced this past year... it was a tough one for us too... but I look forward to the Future holding so many good things. And the Knowing that having been on the Razor's Edge so often in the past Years, I have grown and realized so much more about myself that will aid me should I find myself there yet again.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year from the Arizona Desert my Friend... Dawn... The Bohemian
Thanks, Dawn, for your kind words. We do learn from being on the razor's edge, don't we? And there is always another lesson to learn, an opportunity to grow, to choose wisely. Happy New Year to you from the Pacific Northwest, my friend.
Delete"Choose again" ... I like that.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me a chance to build a better set of multiple choice options.
The Toyota way is test three paths, and may the best one win -- I wonder if that approach might help out in more of life's scenarios.
JD, I like it, too. It's reassuring to know that I will have as many opportunities as I need to choose wisely. I'm curious about the Toyota way. I had not heard that before. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteFor me, 2012 has been a year to take some risks: a trip to Oregon to meet new people, start guitar lessons, buy an RV, move my dad to assisted living.
ReplyDeleteI hope 2013 has more risks that allow me to grow and change!
Bob, Yes, you have been a risk taker this year. So glad I was one of them! Here's to more risks in 2013!
Deletethank you for the post Galen, i wish you a happy new year: )
ReplyDelete