First, I should brag that I graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Literature and Writing. The commencement ceremony was this past Saturday in Del Mar, and it was wonderful. I was giddy nearly the entire time. Relief and joy radiated from me like the scent of eucalyptus from sun warmed leaves. The day was utterly satisfying. Even more so because I felt so loved by the turn out of my friends who suffered through a 2.5 hour ceremony!
Afterwards, my mother hosted a lovely outdoor luncheon at a private cabana at L'Auberge, in Del Mar. My gang and I dined on incredible food, drank delicious wine and savored a sweet buttercream cake to finish the meal. I felt so loved and fortunate to have people close to enjoy and celebrate one of my accomplishments.
This day came on the heels of a nasty case of bronchitis followed by pneumonia, so needless to say I was doubly glad to be there. Getting sick really taxes not only your body but also your emotions. I felt so vulnerable and fragile while I hacked and coughed and sweated with fever. I kept wondering if I would even live to walk on graduation day. I know that sounds dramatic, but I honestly don't remember ever being so sick.
Besides being emotional, I also found myself becoming very clear about what I want and need in life. All the extraneous stuff fell aside, revealing the bare essence of what is truly important to me. Upon that epiphany, I felt peaceful and resolutely clear, in spite of my lackluster energy. As I quieted my mind, rested my body and did only what I needed to in order to survive, I somehow found my center, so to speak.
Interesting how my body was sick, sore and slowly healing, yet at the same time my spirits were high and resolute. It was as if my body needed a time-out in order to tap into that reservoir that holds the wisdom that dwells deep inside. Cup after cup, sip by sip, I listened and I heard. This kind of magic always seems to happen when I'm at a crisis point or a major crossroads.
I'm sharing this with you because comfort can be found. So if you find yourself in an unbearable, overwhelming, or overtaxing situation and you want to run away and hide or pull the covers over your head until all the oxygen is sucked out of the room, take heart. Or a more accurate way to say this might be, take heed. If you stop and take some time to listen, your answer will come. It's already there inside your body. Things will get sorted out if you listen to what needs to be done or not done, and if you follow that inner wisdom. You can rely on this and you can depend on this. This I know.
