Labor Pains

All animals have nesting rituals to prepare for a new birth. Parents begin their nursery preparation often finishing just in time. I did not have that luxury.  I picked out the paint color, but my son did not wish to wait the six weeks until his due date, so, his dad painted while we were still at the hospital.

Giving birth can be an extraordinarily painful experience, but I suppose like any joyous moment you cannot truly appreciate the wonder without the pain. Thankfully, the memory of the pain itself becomes blurry or many women might just stop at one!

 We continually give birth to new life within us. Experience, circumstance, time- all work to bring change and although we usually adapt without much fanfare, when we look back we can see how far we come. Sometimes we are forced to make more premature changes. The easy flow of existence and growth suddenly pushes us to make choices we might not be prepared for. And through the excruciating pains of labor we finally emerge, and a new life begins.

The pain once again, becomes blurry around the edges with time and we move forward ready to meet the next phase of our life. All of the preparations, worries, pain and doubt only serve to take away our peace because whether we want to grow and thrive, or not , it will happen eventually—sometimes it is a long, difficult period as we fight to stave off the pain and hold on to what we know, while other times it seems to happen easily and when we least expect it. No matter how we reach the moment, it will happen and eventually, the joy of new beginnings will be all we remember.

Growth is difficult. Change is hard. Seasons come to pass, and we look back and think: how did I end up here? I am a bit of a fatalist and believe that every moment, every meeting, and every choice we make is part of an intricate map that leads us exactly where we need to be. Not that it cannot be changed or adapted by how we get there, but the basic core of our life that resides in our soul, is always constant. The road may be long and twisted, taking us down many paths. We might get lost along the way and have to ask for directions- (men can ignore that part, since they never do!) but regardless we will still end up at the same place. I prefer the wandering method as there is much adventure along the way.

Others wake up one day and say; this is my road and I will follow it to the end. They stay on the straight and narrow and it works for them. Is their surety a form of advanced knowledge? Have they reached a point in life where they have come closer to their true self than others or is it simply the mix that allows us all to coexist and is required to help find our way? It would be terrible if everyone was wandering lost- or equally so, if all followed the straight path.

Unfortunately, so many are wrapped up in their own opinions and little worlds of technology that we often are afraid to reach out to the others that could help facilitate out journey. So much anger and fear causing so many to retreat within. What a shame, when the many can offer so much; if not propel our journey, at least enrich it in some way.

Not everyone on our path is meant to stay with us. Some journey a way beside us and then veer off to their own paths.  Some we cannot cajole to move from their purpose to take “the road less travelled” along with us, while others take us by the hand and remain on the path with us as long as they are needed. Yet, in the end, it truly is a solo journey.

With each new birth, we move forward with a chance to create a new life, learn new things, and grow closer to our true self. Painful? Often. Scary? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely!  Like a baby, we can only trust our inner voice and those that support us on our journey. We have no idea what lies ahead or how we will get there, but growth will unfold as we move forward.  Life, death, rebirth : the endless cycle.
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I have been painting and laying floors. I am re designing my habitat to prepare for the new birth. This time, I have had plenty of time to get ready, yet, I pushed it to the very end anyway. It’s almost here, just keep breathing through the pain, all the wonder and magic of new life is just on the other side of fear.

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