Sunday, July 25, 2010
Crossing Thresholds
5:44 PM | 
Posted by
Lena Cain
Thresholds in this life can be quite beautiful, but at times of such significant change, we may also feel disoriented, confused and sad.
In this moment, I find myself at a point of several thresholds at once--my first marriage, moving in with my husband, and my only daughter moving away to college. I am greeted every day by any number of conflicting emotions--sadness, grief, bliss, confusion, gratitude, frustration, hurt, anticipation, deep relaxation. I am noticing that fear is less in the foreground, though. I am nesting--unpacking, sorting, organizing my clothes, choosing rooms for my office, placing furniture where it wants to land and where I can make good use of it.
The apartment I just moved out of is not glamorous, by any stretch of the imagination. But it's been "home" for the past 6 years, so I am grieving the loss of my home. I still have a few things at the apartment, because I am moving piece meal style, and my 18 year-old daughter is living there for the next few weeks while my husband and I nest. I laid down on my bed in my old room last night and tears came to my eyes. I was feeling a sense of complete relaxation, and "home", but when I opened my eyes, I looked around to find the walls were mostly bare, the closet was almost empty, and there were boxes of books and papers to sort on the floor. I began registering that this was not my "home" any longer. And I felt a sadness well up in me.
I think this is a great archetypal image...anyone going through a big life transition has an old room that feels familiar, but not quite like "home" anymore. Old ideas, old relationships, a job you may be in the process of leaving, the university you will soon graduate from, or maybe a role that doesn't quite fit anymore. Some other examples of thresholds include a shifting of priorities in your daily routine, an increase in exercise or a dietary change, setting boundaries with friends and family for self care, softening boundaries to include others, or moving toward one or more of your passions.
It is a joy for me to bear witness to a loved one, family member, friend or client approach a threshold. The soul speaks quietly at first, in little whispers saying, "Pick up this book", or "Share your interest in singing with this stranger" and the magic of the soul's GPS kicks in and beckons each one toward your next best step.
I could not have crossed the threshold of marriage and moving in with my honey without the beautiful, caring, very attuned support of my soul sisters and brothers. They helped me to pinpoint what I needed from them in order to fully welcome myself into my new home, and to relax into the gorgeous sunny day as a bride and receive the love of our community.
What thresholds, small, medium, or big sized do you long to cross?
What thresholds might you be in the midst of right now?
What do you need in place in order to feel strengthened, supported, inspired, and loved forward as you step into the unknown?
How can you love yourself as the conflicting emotions rise up in you?
Do you remember what helped you the last time you went through a significant change? I invite you to bring some of that into your present transition.
Many blessings!
In this moment, I find myself at a point of several thresholds at once--my first marriage, moving in with my husband, and my only daughter moving away to college. I am greeted every day by any number of conflicting emotions--sadness, grief, bliss, confusion, gratitude, frustration, hurt, anticipation, deep relaxation. I am noticing that fear is less in the foreground, though. I am nesting--unpacking, sorting, organizing my clothes, choosing rooms for my office, placing furniture where it wants to land and where I can make good use of it.
The apartment I just moved out of is not glamorous, by any stretch of the imagination. But it's been "home" for the past 6 years, so I am grieving the loss of my home. I still have a few things at the apartment, because I am moving piece meal style, and my 18 year-old daughter is living there for the next few weeks while my husband and I nest. I laid down on my bed in my old room last night and tears came to my eyes. I was feeling a sense of complete relaxation, and "home", but when I opened my eyes, I looked around to find the walls were mostly bare, the closet was almost empty, and there were boxes of books and papers to sort on the floor. I began registering that this was not my "home" any longer. And I felt a sadness well up in me.
I think this is a great archetypal image...anyone going through a big life transition has an old room that feels familiar, but not quite like "home" anymore. Old ideas, old relationships, a job you may be in the process of leaving, the university you will soon graduate from, or maybe a role that doesn't quite fit anymore. Some other examples of thresholds include a shifting of priorities in your daily routine, an increase in exercise or a dietary change, setting boundaries with friends and family for self care, softening boundaries to include others, or moving toward one or more of your passions.
It is a joy for me to bear witness to a loved one, family member, friend or client approach a threshold. The soul speaks quietly at first, in little whispers saying, "Pick up this book", or "Share your interest in singing with this stranger" and the magic of the soul's GPS kicks in and beckons each one toward your next best step.
I could not have crossed the threshold of marriage and moving in with my honey without the beautiful, caring, very attuned support of my soul sisters and brothers. They helped me to pinpoint what I needed from them in order to fully welcome myself into my new home, and to relax into the gorgeous sunny day as a bride and receive the love of our community.
What thresholds, small, medium, or big sized do you long to cross?
What thresholds might you be in the midst of right now?
What do you need in place in order to feel strengthened, supported, inspired, and loved forward as you step into the unknown?
How can you love yourself as the conflicting emotions rise up in you?
Do you remember what helped you the last time you went through a significant change? I invite you to bring some of that into your present transition.
Many blessings!
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