“The journey of awakening happens just at the place where we can’t get comfortable.” — Pema Chödrön

I was experiencing a moment of restlessness this morning – my mind was falling easily into anxiety’s snare, as I looked at the massive pile of tasking ahead.

breathe…sip…breath.

I’m always a bit unsettled by these much ‘pricklier’ emotions. My instinct is to move towards an immediate calming, but in doing so – I often wonder, am I perhaps missing something?

Like stepping through the briar patch, we tend to move swiftly through – deliberately avoiding any such emotions, which may trigger even the slightest wincing of pain.

But, what if these emotions were a key? A key to the profound wisdom locked within – a timeless connection between our innermost spirit, and the radiance of this light that is you.

[blockquote source=”Pema Chödrön”]”By trying to get rid of “negativity,” by trying to eradicate it, by putting it into a column labelled “bad,” we are throwing away our wisdom as well, because everything in us is creative energy—particularly our strong emotions. They are filled with life-force.”[/blockquote]

Indeed, how quickly we run from these emotions, which may, in the end prove to be our greatest teacher?

My dears, there is nothing wrong with negativity. It is a powerful emotion that transcends every aspect of our being, cutting straight through to our spiritual core.

And, it can be a terrifying experience; heart-wrenching and incessant in its desperation to find the ground beneath us.

But, it can be life-changing, as well – teaching us a little something about ourselves, we always wished to know.

It is by way of these very emotions – the crippling pain, the horrifying fear – that we may look into the eyes of another, and finally understand.

My dears, to know these emotions, is to know compassion.

And, that’s where the unconditional love begins.

So, stop running from all of those shadows, my dears – and step boldly into the light that is you.

I promise you won’t be disappointed.