When a person moves forward, wants to grow, and seeks to explore and enrich their life, crossroads and obstacles are constant companions on the journey. They test you and prepare you for the next step, the goal, or simply for a realization that goes hand in hand with your endeavor. I wrote this post back in March 2017, and when I reread it, it was an eye-opener and a confirmation for me as I look back on the past nine years.

We are all often caught up in our daily obligations or in life’s challenges. Even though we may know that these challenges will be followed by a reward, being in the midst of them can still take a toll on our entire being – our thoughts and our feelings.

The longer it takes and the more stressful the situation becomes, the harder it is to see the bigger picture. The journey toward a goal can involve many different paths to take and many obstacles to overcome. It’s like a bus ride. There are several stops along the way before you reach your destination. The road may sometimes be bumpy and winding, and even though you know why you got on this bus, all you feel is nausea, which makes it hard to look forward to the destination you’re heading toward.

It’s nothing new that we have to make changes or go through changes to get to a new place. The more difficult the circumstances, the more we need to remind ourselves why we embarked on this journey in the first place. When everything gets harder and harder, when consequences lie right ahead that will dramatically change our lives, when we realize we have to let go of something to grab the next vine that will carry us forward – that’s when we often ask ourselves if it’s all worth the effort. These reflections are incredibly important. On the one hand, they can make it crystal clear what you don’t want to lose. Or they can confirm your decision and give you the strength to keep going! You have this opportunity right now, and you don’t know if you’ll ever get another if you don’t seize it. Most of the time, it’s precisely those moments – when the pressure builds, and we’re forced to rethink everything – that bring us closest to an important change or realization! The growing uncertainty feels like standing on the edge of a cliff, and you have a choice: either to jump or to turn back.

It can be so difficult when you’re standing at this crossroads, because sometimes – no matter which path you choose – there’s no turning back. But even turning back brings about a change because you have to clearly remind yourself why you’re turning back, which leads to a different mindset. You begin to view even a familiar situation or set of circumstances through a different lens. Even if it seems as though you’re not changing anything, something has changed because you decided to turn back for a specific reason. And that is precisely the crucial point! Whatever decision you make at this crossroads: Be aware of why you’re making it! Don’t do it out of resignation. Do it with clear intention. You weren’t led to this precipice by chance, but to develop clarity and, with it, a more mature perspective. You’re continuing to grow. As I said, these precipices can appear multiple times on the same journey toward the same destination. We come to many forks in the road and must decide which path to take. We must be ready for this destination, and all these stops along the way help us grow toward it.

We’re not superheroes, and sometimes even the change we want most can seem like a huge mountain to climb. Give yourself some time off, meditate, recharge your batteries in nature, talk to others, pamper yourself a little, and do whatever makes you smile. The he most important thing is to step back from the situation, be yourself, and tune in to your own feelings. Only when you break free from this jumble of thoughts can you reconnect with yourself. This is necessary to hear and feel your inner voice – the voice that gave you the initial impulse to embark on this journey. We only feel uncertain when we lose touch with ourselves. Remember that there was a reason why you started this journey. Recall it and feel it again, and look at everything that’s happened since you began this path. See how far you’ve come. Whatever you’ve learned, whatever insights you’ve gained; all of that is important for your decision on whether to stay on the bus or get off and take the next one back! There’s nothing wrong with going back, because you’ve learned a lot on this journey, which has already made a difference! It’s your path and your decision! And it’s nobody else’s business!

In Love and Light