In the newest book by Adyashanti, The End of Your World, he writes:
“This one question – ‘What do I know for certain?’ – is tremendously powerful. When you look deeply into this question, it actually destroys your world. It destroys your whole sense of self, and it’s meant to. You come to see that everything you think you know about yourself, everything you think you know about the world, is based on assumptions, beliefs and opinions – things you believe because you were taught or told that they were true. Until we start to see these false perceptions for what they really are, consciousness will be imprisoned within the dream state.”
Years ago when my life was a mess, I was walking down the street and in the window of one store, I saw a reflection of a woman I did not know. I stopped and stared because the reflection was of myself but it was like looking at a stranger. I was dressed in a black coat, with black high heel boots, I had a black bag and my face looked like it belonged to someone else. It really scared me.
As I started to walk again, immediately an image came to mind of a six year old girl, stuck in a closet, pounding hard on the door, demanding to be let out. The little girl had her hair in pigtails and was wearing some happy looking dress. I realized that the six year old girl was the little girl that I had locked away when I was young.
With that image in my mind, my heart whispered…”Finally”…as if my heart had been waiting a long time for me to see what I had done to myself.
That is the irony of pain and suffering. The human mind is so inclined to blame external forces and people for what happened in our lives but we fail to see the pain and suffering that we inflict on ourselves. More often than not, we are our own worst enemies.
The desire to be liked or to fit in or whatever it may be, forces us at times to do things that we normally would not do. For example, I have known people to buy certain kinds of cars because it was expected of them to do so. I have known people to live in certain areas because that was the “right” thing to do.
We confuse the mass consciousness as being the consciousness that matters. The reality is that the mass consciousness is a group of people trying to do what is “right” based on beliefs that have nothing to do with the ultimate truth.
The mass consciousness justifies lying, it justifies spending money to impress others, it rationalizes that a certain kind of salary makes one person more valuable than another and so on. The mass consciousness feeds on pain. It makes envy look like a natural thing when in reality, being envious is one of the worst things you can do to yourself.
We so much want to feel better about ourselves and yet so many of us want to feel better at the expense of another person. Why do we do that? Are we so miserable that we find joy in the misery of others? That is kind of sick when you think about it and yet it happens every day.
One of the seven deadly sins is envy. Think about this for a moment. All the other sins make sense. They are: greed, lust, gluttony, sloth, wrath, and pride. Those last six sins are logical because they are all rooted in common sense to some degree. Yet envy is one that many people do not seem to understand yet engage in often.
When we say that we envy another, we are basically robbing ourselves of any amount of dignity. For when you think that someone has what you want, you are saying that what you have is not good. In my mind, envying another human being is a crime. For there is no reason to envy another person. You were created by the Highest Power that there is and that Power only creates perfection. There is no need to think so little of your life because you think someone else has it easier.
You have no idea what it is like to be that other person. You have no idea how they earned what you so much desire. Often, we look at people without knowing who they truly are and yet we desire what they have without knowing how they earned it. Of course, this does not apply to people who steal or rob…for they do not earn those possessions.
What many forget is that people earn what they have. Take a look at your life; you earned every little thing you have. That includes the “good” things and the “not so good” things. No one is immune from this reality. Each one of us has our own share of issues that we need to master.
If you do not like what you have, don’t waste time wishing to have what someone else has, instead change what you do have. Focus on your own journey. Develop your own sense of self that is based on your truth and not the truth of those that surround you.
When I look back at my life, I lived the first twenty-five years trying to be what everyone wanted me to be. My childhood was so bad, I had no sense of self. I had no clue what I liked and in order to deal with the pain, I tried to make everyone happy by doing what they wanted.
The irony is that no one was pleased with my choices and I ended up hurting myself more than anyone else. After that day of seeing my reflection in the window and hearing that little girl (which was my true self) screaming to be set free, I started to change my life around.
It took ten years to overcome all the trauma of my past. It was not easy for I had a lot of pain to work through but what kept me going was the determination to have that little girl be set free and have some element of inner peace. One of the things I had to do was to re-train my brain (rhyme not intended) and to not think from the ego. It was tough at first but with time it has gotten a whole lot easier.
Now when I see my reflection, I know who is looking back at me. Years ago, if you were to ask me what kind of clothes I liked, I would not have been able to answer because my choices were based on what I thought I should choose. I had no idea what I was certain of but now I do.
So what do I know for certain? I know that life is all about love. I am one with everything that surrounds me. Life is beautiful and merciful. Life is what I make out of it and the only person that I am responsible for is myself. I know that what goes around, comes around. How I treat others is a reflection of how I treat myself. Life is awesome.
Enough about me….it is your turn….what do you know for certain? I would love to hear your thoughts.
{ 64 comments }
Hi Nadia,
What I so love about being here is how deeply you take me into my own soul. It’s a good place to be. Deeply good. Your words have a way to helping me connect more with that core within.
What do I know for certain? My life is now. And I know for certain that this moment in time, this precise moment – is a moment that I have. Everything else in the future is not certain. This very moment, though, is real and it is mine, in my life. And I know that love connects us.
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Hi Lance,
Thank you so much for all that you wrote. One of my goals with each post is to bring awareness about our soul. When we are connected with that core, then we are connected to everything and then there is no need to be concerned about things that ultimately do not matter.
And yes, the power of the moment. That is an awesome thing to be certain of….yay for you!
And yes, love is the string that ties us all together and it is so beautiful.
The only thing I know for certain is that I don’t know anything for certain.
Sometimes I have glimpses, insights, a peek behind the veil of illusion that is reality, but they are fleeting, elusive, insubstantial. I think there might be truth on the other side, but I’m not sure. So can I know that anything I see over there is real? No. No more than I can know anything over here is real.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat is the wisest song ever written (Life is but a dream).
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Memories Best Left Forgotten =-.
Hi Jay,
Life is a dream, isn’t it?
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I totally understand where you are coming from…all is an illusion…how I wish more of us saw that. Then we would not get so caught up in thinking that material things are of value or define who we are.
Beautiful post, Nadia! So often, I find that peace and understanding comes when I let go of everything I think “I know” and just sit with what IS. I often say that not knowing is the beginning of wisdom. Every moment has its own truth. If we allow our mind to attach to that truth and turn it into what it knows, we invariably get in our own way.
Thank you for the beautiful reminder!
Andrea
.-= Andrea Hess|Empowered Soul´s last blog ..Manifesting: A Changing Process =-.
Hi Andrea!
You are so welcome and I love what you wrote too. We do get in our own way and as I always like to say…it is what it is….there is no need to define it. We just need to go with the flow and just be.
And I also loved how you said that each moment has its own truth. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on what you know to be certain.
Hi Nadia:
Thank you for sharing this powerful story. I can identify with some of this. In terms of what I know for certain, I would have to echo what Lance said…life is all about right now. It is the only moment we have. Any time spent thinking about the past or worrying about the future really robs us of the present moment that is occurring as we think about this. Your article really reminds me that there is really very little certainty even though we oftentimes convince ourselves otherwise. Thanks for a great start to the week!
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Weekend Musical Diversion: Andy Timmons =-.
Hi Tim,
You are so welcome and thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is awesome that you value the moment. Not many people do and so to have that awareness is such a blessing.
You also made a great point that there is so much that we are uncertain about in life. Often we make plans for months or years in advance and yet we forget that there is a very good chance that things may totally change by then. So it is best to just be in the moment for that moment will leads us to where we need to be.
Once again, your writing digs deep and entices me to think about who I really am and the manner in which I’m facing the world.
(Side note: I love the photo of the signs/sins – very cool!)
After reading your post, I remembered that I used to have this word-of-the-day calendar, you know, with a new word every day so that I may strengthen my vocabulary. Then, one day, the word, “schadenfreude” shows up on the page with the definition:
pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.
I thought, woah, there’s actually a world for that feeling??? How screwed up is that that we as a society assigned a word for that? I felt sad that day. I thought about the times in my past I experienced true schadenfreude, and I felt bad about it.
Now, as I look back on my life, I can definitely say that I avoid that feeling at all cost. And I’m much happier for it.
Thanks for another great post, Nadia.
Have a great week!
~xo
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Are You Hazarding Your Best? =-.
Hi Lori,
I know what you mean about discovering the word “schadenfreude”. I learned about it from a story which was a tragedy and it just made me realize how messed up it is to be joyful at the pain of others. I wish I could tell you which story it was but it was so long ago. The only thing I remember is the word.
And thank you for saying all that you did about my writing. It means more than you know.
Nadia, Wow!
This spoke volumes to me. I have been learning to live in the now. I’ve been learning to allow life to happen.
What I know for sure is: God is in control. Without Him I am lost. I know that I have the right to choose joy every single day (and I do). I know that if I place my faith in my Father EVERYTHING will be just fine. I know I deserve peace and am so grateful to have it at last.
(:
Hi Tabitha,
Thank you so much for sharing what you are certain about and how beautiful it is to be so surrendered and aware. Good for you!
And you are so right, we can choose joy everyday if we wish.
Hope all is well!
The only thing I know for certain is that Ben & Jerry’s makes the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. This much I know. Everything else is constantly up for debate and re-definition. So I guess I also know that everything changes… nothing lasts. And, I’m fairly certain that absolute love is never absent; it is all around us all the time. (So that’s three things I know.)
Oh, and that Jay doesn’t know anything for certain. I’m gonna have to second that.
.-= Lisis´s last blog ..Inspiration: Helen Keller “Great and Noble Tasks” =-.
Hi Lisis,
I have never known someone to love Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as much as you. It is wonderful that now you live in the same area as the ice cream.
Yay for being aware that things are constantly in motion and that love is always there. Very cool.
And leave Jay alone!
Lisis,
In Boston, on Newbury street, is Emack & Bolio’s. If you eat their ice cream, you’ll lose all remnants of your remaining certainty.
Nadia,
One must pose this question to themselves, and not just recite what they’ve been taught through teachings or teachers or whatever. In doing so, sitting here typing at this very moment, there is no certainty to be found.
Of course, it is not to say what Takuin perceives is true, or that anyone should accept it because he says it is so. If one wishes to see it, they’ll have to do so on their own.
In seeing no certainty, there is no fear. Fear is a pseudo-certainty in itself. It rises when the self (another pseudo-certainty) imagines what might happen, or what it might lose. But what might happen is too infinite to bother with. And really, what can be lost?
Even when death arrives, there is nothing to lose. How can the I lose what it can never own?
I wrote on a similar subject some time ago in the post Are You Certain?
You’ve written a very lovely piece as always, Nadia…
.-= Takuin Minamoto´s last blog ..The Ghost =-.
Hi Takuin,
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing your thoughts. Yes, when there is no certainty, then there is no fear. Many people would think that would not be the case and therein lies the irony. As it is stated in the Course in Miracles: “nothing real can be threatened and nothing unreal exists”.
And yes, nothing can be lost and that to me is very beautiful.
By the way, thank you so much for mentioning it here. I am currently reading Adyashanti and was inspired to write this post. I totally forgot that you had written about a similar subject.
Hi Nadia,
same with Lance, ‘Your words have a way to helping me connect more with that core within’ is so true. I think Universe bring me to your page even though we live miles away from each other.
If you had realized your inner child long time ago, mine is just begun. It send me free, it does feel good to be ‘my own self’. But it kinda hard sometimes not to be negative on my self when people around me, like family & friends, start to tell me what is good/right. Did you experience this thing back when you begin your transformation?
Hi Eva,
Thank you so much for all that you said and the Universe works in interesting ways, doesn’t it?
As for your question, do not be discouraged. Even though I am more in touch with my inner child than before, my family still tells me what is right and good. That will never end because people are people. Just because you are becoming more free, does not mean that those around you will change.
What it means, that you just have a better perception about who you are and your truth. I have moments when one of my relatives will say something really negative and it makes me feel bad but then I realize that they just do not know better. They have their version of the world and I have mine. I cannot change them and they cannot change me.
Do not let it get to you…just get stronger in yourself and love yourself. Does this answer your question? If you need me to be more clear, just let me know.
Oh Nadia, haven’t we all been given a blueprint for life that keeps changing from context to context and they never served any of us. All they did was taking the responsibility to figure it out ourselves away from us. Oh how painful to think we did our best to follow these blueprints as we did not know any better.
I agree that it takes some doing to change the blueprint and even to trust any new beliefs I was requiring.
I am finding more and more guidelines to live by that my heart feels good about and my mind has not that many objections to. It means I am learning to trust my own discernment and I am certain that I have to find my own truth from my own experiences, coming from love and innocent perception which means leaving judgment out of it.
It means experiencing life, forgive, and look with honesty at what is happening.
Do not judge but forgive and keep being the love that you are, is my certainty now and thank you for asking us.
Hugs to you, Wilma
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Part 2. Making requests, an underestimated skill. =-.
Hi Wilma,
I liked how you refer the mass consciousness as a blueprint. That is so perfect because it just describes what happens beautifully. We think that there is one way of being and fail to see that each soul is unique and is on a journey that is specific to them and them alone.
What you are certain of such as not judgng and being the love that we are, is wonderful.
Hugs back to you!
Hi Nadia,
This is such an insightful and soul searching post! I love it. I love how i feel everytime i read your writing. It just gets to that core of me somehow
Change is inevitable. Life is a constant string of changes. Its upto us to make those changes beautiful or ugly. If we chose to change with the beauty of life, life will give us unconditional love. But, if we chose to change to the ugliness of it, there nothing more than tears that can come our way. Recognizing those changes and making that extra effort…now thats what stirs the soul
What i know for certain…Love and compassion, is always here…always growing always all encompassing…we just need to keep the faith and hold on….life will just be perfect as it is with all the love and compassion in it.
You always get me thinking Nadia ..always
Lots of love and hugs
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..Why Are We Here? {Inspirational Quote} =-.
Hi Zeenat,
Thank you for saying that my writing gets to the core of you and makes you think. I am honored and humbled.
Yes, change is inevitable and it is truly up to us to choose how we ride the waves of change. We can either go with the flow or resist it which leads us to drown in our misery.
And love and compassion truly is what life is all about. I was thinking about that this morning as I was out in the world. The Universe is rooted in love and compassion. We are engulfed in it yet the illusions that are created by mankind, makes us forget that ultimately everything works out in the end.
Lots of love and hugs back!
I tend to forget about that mass consciousness based on fear and pain. I used to be in the midst of it too. Now I seem to be insulated in a bubble of good thoughts, which I’m not so sure is the best thing, because does that make me not caring about those in pain?
Something a bit disturbing happened on the running trail Thursday morning that has stuck with me. A young man who had quite likely been up all night, he was in rumpled street clothes, was approaching me on the trail. He seemed to look at me with a half-smile, but I guess an expression I realized later I did not understand at the time. (We were both actually walking.) It’s very friendly on that trail so I gave a quick. “Hey, what’s up?” just as he passed and I heard him say, “Man, I’m not even sure anymore.” And I turned and laughed a bit, to which he glared at me while still walking, “What, you find that funny?! My life’s a joke now??” Then he gave me a finger-like rude gesture and kept mumbling as he went. I was so taken aback I didn’t know what to do, thought a few seconds later I should’ve stumbled out an apology. Then he was gone around the bend. I felt bad after. It still bothers me when I think of the incident. No, I was not laughing at him. I was just being myself and thinking maybe he was having a great day and only funning too.
Anyway, what do you think it could mean vis a vis this post and the lesson to be learned in my encounter with him? Do I need more compassion? Should I have run after him and said I really was sorry? What would Nadia have done?
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Like a bord on a wire, 12 — Funny Typos =-.
Hi Jannie,
Many years ago, I was with some friends who were being playful about what this one little ethnic girl was doing. She was so cute and they were commenting on how cute she was. It was harmless or that is what is sounded like. After my friends walked away, this one guy came up to me and started yelling at me about what my friends had said.
I had been silent while my friends were talking and I was shocked at how this guy reacted. He was ethnic and had taken it as a form of racism. I told the man that I had no idea plus I am ethnic too so how could I be blamed. He saw my point and I felt horrible because I could see why he was hurt. I was angry at myself for not noticing that sooner because I have been subject to ethnic slurs and it always hurt. When I saw my friends again, I told them what happened and they were so surprised. They felt so bad and as a result, they never did such a thing again.
As for your question, only YOU know the answer about being more compassionate. You are the only person who truly knows yourself. It is not my place to answer because I am not you. However, one thing that I will say is that the mere fact you felt bad shows how kind you are. Some people would have gotten defensive. Some would not have cared. Some would have cursed the guy. So your reaction says a lot. You cannot please all of the people all of the time. Your intention was not to hurt and that is what matters.
Stumbled upon this post thru my google reader! Love it! So very true about envy! Oh that darned little monster so similar to jealousy, yet not! I just realized something today while out and about. The relationships I want in my life are with the people that “help me to be a better me! I’m tired of trying to go with the “ephermal status-quo” I want more. From myself! I want more realism and less excuses! I want to bring more “me” into my life.
Hi Eden,
I am so happy that you found your way here and thank you so much for the positive feedback.
Those are the best kind of relationships to have: people who help you grow and support you in your growth. That is awesome that you reached that realization. In my experience, life becomes much more fun when you bring more of your true self into the picture. You go, girl!
Great post, Nadia.
Awakening for most of us is a process, not an event. It’s not always an easy process. And society and people around us will often want to impose the collective egos’ will.
And so we experience doubt, emotional turmoil, anxiety, apathy, detachment, self-indulgence, low energy, and all their opposites.
But the overall movement is towards Essence, towards Love, and we know this and when courage is needed it shows up.
Great article!
.-= Kaushik´s last blog ..Healing… =-.
Hi Kaushik,
Thank you for the kind words. Awakening or realizing our true self is definitely a process. That is what makes life so beautiful…the process of evolving and growing.
As for courage, we are always presented with moments where we either can step up to the challenge or not. It is up to us whether we accept it or run away from it. After all, life is a collection of effects caused by the choices we made.
What I know for certain is that I was born kind and am a compassionate person. That I have a great deal of difficulty letting go, but when I find the right key – wow it just happens.
I am guilty of the sin of envy – I wish other’s reflected back to me my compassion in a way that I could read it instead of what I read from others….stupid, heavy, not worthy of money, I kind of disappear – and they are always saying I am judging them or asking too much of them….I envy people making money from their passion – only my mother and husband – and Jannie sent me 20# for England! and $10 for a donation! – find what I do worthy. I should include my oldest child she is my IT for my blog….she thinks I have something to say too…
I was Elphaba Thorpp for the costume party I went too….I am standing still and breathing deeply right now testing the wind, because I do not wish to be the Wicked Witch of the West. Reading this brought up my sadness and frustration…will work on release and letting go.
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Korny Zucchini Pizza =-.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you so much for being open and honest. It is wonderful that you are aware of what you feel. I know that may not sound wonderful considering that you feel sad and frustrated. However, self-awareness is the first step to overcoming what you feel.
I have struggled for years with the whole thing about wanting others to see my worth. Half of my family thinks I am a total failure. It hit me a while ago that they reflect my insecurities. So if I feel secure in being me (which includes accepting the good and the not so good), they sense that to some degree and back off.
Piece of advice, if you don’t mind, just be confident in you. Your kindness and compassion shine through in all of your comments. Be strong in knowing that about yourself and love who you are. See the beauty in you and you will be surprised at the reactions from others. Yes, there still may be some people who don’t get it but that is their problem and not yours.
When you stand and see your own glory, it will be mirrored back to you. Plus, when you feel that you are worthy to have good things, the Universe will mirror that too. Everything boils down to energy. What you feel and think is reflected back at you.
I could be a whole better in believing that I deserve good things so I am still working on this too but I have noticed a change. So there is a way to work around it or at least that is what I feel and think now. Hope you do not mind the suggestion.
Hi Nadia,
One thing I know for certain is you are a fabulous writer. What a moving story.
As I read the part where you wrote, “…there is no reason to envy another person. “, it reminds me of something I saw on Twitter. It said something like, “if everyone threw their problems into a pile, chances are, we would take ours back”. Too often we look at others and think their lives or what they have are ideal, when in fact they have their own set of problems that we are not seeing.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Seize The Opportunity – A Pro Speaks =-.
Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for the compliment regarding my writing. I am so grateful.
Your comment reminds me of a story I once heard. Someone told everyone to put all their problems in the center of a room. After everyone did that, he asked them to pick the problems that they wanted and everyone picked what they originally had. Goes to show you, you do not know what you have until you see another version.
Hi Nadia .. having read and watched the videos on Liara’s blog .. I really ‘feel’ I am not here .. these are just electrical transmissions .. however I’m just not quite into understanding all of that – the core of your soul from Lance’s comment rings true.
We know what we are at this present time – we can learn and grow with the spiritual world and soul as we are able to. It is something I am moving towards ..
Re Jannie’s and your thoughts on others perceptions of what comes out of our mouth – so often it is innocently said – just interpreted in way we don’t expect. Juliet du Preez wrote on FB this morning this quote from Dale Carnegie, which I really liked:
Any fool can criticize & complain and most fools do. But it takes character & self-control to be understanding & forgiving ~ Dale Carnegie
Finding our soul and being able to understand be forgiving encourages strength from each of us .. what do we know for certain anyway?!
Thank you – have a good week -
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Sands of Time … =-.
Hi Hilary,
Thank you for sharing that Dale Carnegie quote. I love it. Forgiveness and compassion are such important traits to have yet no one seems to fully grasp the full meaning of them. I mean it is easy to forgive things that do not effect you greatly but it is far more difficult to forgive when you have been hurt so much.
I think many people forget that they have a soul and therefore their actions come from the mind. The soul operates in a language that we all know yet so many of us are scared to listen to it. I am working on a post about this subject so I will not get too much into now.
Hope that all is well with you!
“Years ago, if you were to ask me what kind of clothes I liked, I would not have been able to answer because my choices were based on what I thought I should choose. ”
This line hit home for me. I’m working on uncovering my identity and realizing that I often rely on others to make decisions for me is a step towards taking more personal responsibility. Thank you for sharing this.
.-= Daphne´s last blog ..The House of Me =-.
Hi Daphne,
You are most welcome. Good for you for uncovering your identity. It is a wonderful journey to take. In my experience, it was amazing to me the things that I learned. I think many people rely on others to make decisions for them because we think that is the right thing to do. It is weird how it happens but it is very common. So to discover our own identity is an amazing adventure. It was scary at times for me but so well worth it.
Hi Nadia!
I know for certain that every time I read your blog, you have another fabulous opportunity for me to think and dig deep – that’s what I know! I could resonate with everything you wrote! We all eventually have to come to terms with ourselves and the mindset we have created – which, unfortunately can be layered with such a combo! What others think, what we think others expect, what we think is acceptable by “their” standards, what we interpret (choose a day of the week, it changes!) anyone else saying, thinking, doing! Well how exhausting, eh?
Your fabulous question of what do we know for certain pretty much demands that we clean house mentally, doesn’t it? And that’s such a GOOD thing, Nadia. We SHOULD. Cuz there is a lot of “stuff” in our heads prohibiting us from knowing who the heck we really are!!! Let alone it clutters the path!
You are AWESOME! When is it that your book(s) are coming out?
hugs
suZen
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Reclaiming Great Relationships! =-.
Hi SuZen,
That stuff in the head sometimes is like a never ending track that just does not want to shut up!
Eventually, we all have to reach the point and accept that we can never please all of the people all of the time and that the only person we really do have to please is our true self. When we live in alignment with our inner truth/voice, then we are pretty much free from all the drama. Easier said than done at times but it is doable.
And you are awesome too! As for the book(s), as I told Brenda a while back, I invoke my 5th Amendment right!
wonderful post
….thanks for writing such a heartfelt post from your own journey…vividly describes what everyone must encounter to go down the path of discovering ones deeper meaning….gracias Nadia 
.-= Ivan´s last blog ..How To Deal With Conflicts In Communication =-.
Hola Ivan!
De nada! I used to be fluent in Spanish but then lost it due to lack of use.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback. As Oscar Wilde wrote, “the great romance a person can have is with one’s self.” The journey to self-discovery is an awesome one that is filled with all kinds of adventures. But it is also one worth taking as you well know.
Hope all is well.
Nadia,
You write so beautifully…and your last paragraph sums it up so well for me. To put it in my words, I also believe one thing for certain and always talk about it with clients. I believe Life is tidal. There is the flood and the ebb. This movement is healthy and part of the cycles. To deny it is to be stagnant. I always imagine playing in the waves, and when we tense up seeing an oncoming wave, it topples us. But when we allow ourselves to be fluid, we can move with the flood and with the ebb with grace. And love is what allows us to be fluid and flexible, and able. Thank you. You are dear.
.-= Katie West/The Levity Coach´s last blog ..The Power of Being One =-.
Hi Katie,
Thank you so much for all the kind words. You are such a sweet person.
I loved what you wrote. It took me a long time to realize that the best thing to do is to just go with the flow. When we are at peace and centered in who we truly are, it is easier to face what life brings us. Resistance always causes so much more problems even though at first, it seems like a logical reaction. So to be fluid and flexible is the way to be. I loved your description.
As you can see, I love the beach so any water reference really speaks to me. Thank you for sharing!
Well, I am late to this one, but what a lovely post. You are so on a roll lately, in terms of the power behind your writing, and the transmission that is coming through, for me anyway. Really. I had an experience so similar to this, seeing myself and not recognizing myself. And in some ways I had a similar journey of doing what was expected, being the ‘achiever’ for years, and always thinking I fell short, so therefore always envying what others had at some level. So I very much appreciate what you wrote here about your own journey from that to love, and the beauty with which you wrote it.
.-= Lisa (mommymystic)´s last blog ..10 Characteristics of Women’s Energy Bodies =-.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for the compliments. I am touched and humbled.
It is interesting that you had a similar experience. Isn’t weird to see yourself and yet not recognize yourself? I remember feeling so scared that I started to walk really fast. As if walking fast would remove the feeling.
I guess everything starts with a realization. I am happy that your realization took you to where you are now because I know how much you love what you do.
Hi Nadia!
What do I know for sure? Just when I think I know something, I don’t know anything at all. Or maybe I know everything but my ego messes everything up by telling me what I “ought to know.” Or someone tells me what they think I should do or think I should know and I foolishly believe them (that was me just seven years ago!)
What do I know for sure? Today I must find stillness in my “internal busyness.” My ego is still getting in the way.
Thank you for giving me something wonderful to chew on tonight.
xo
Peggy
.-= Peggy´s last blog ..What’s Your Excuse? =-.
Hi Peggy,
I know what you mean about the ego. I view mine as little brat who likes to speak her mind when she feels like it…regardless of the situation. So I let her vent and then ignore her. There are days, though, when I give her too much attention and that never is good. So I know what you are talking about.
You are welcome for the brain food. If you feel like sharing any realizations, you know where to find me!
Hugs back!
Hi Nadia – it’s lovely to hear your story. I liked the brain rhyme!
Certainty is a funny thing, I reckon – we need to realise that nothing is certain on the one hand, but on the other, as we heal ourselves we have a greater sense of certainty about who we are. Perhaps the inner, healthy certainty comes from learning to trust ourselves, rather than from knowing any particular thing about ourselves.
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Ego Is Not A Dirty Word =-.
Hi Robin,
It is funny that whenever I do not intend to create a rhyme, it happens. And when I do want to create a rhyme, it takes a little bit more effort.
Great point about the importance of learning to trust ourselves. That to me represents an aspect of faith. Eventually we all reach the realization that we need to trust our inner voice. So often we don’t and yet our inner voice always steers us in the right direction.
Hope all is awesome!
You articulated so beautifully some of our deepest illusions. I love it!
Even while I am much happier than ever before for having worked through some of my issues, I still find myself going through intense self-inquiry. It has really been an unfolding process for me in knowing who I really am. No textbook but experiential knowing moment-to-moment.
.-= Evelyn Lim´s last blog ..Abundance Tapestry is Live =-.
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you so much for the kind words. And yay for self-inquiry. I have come to see that self-inquiry is a constant process in life. To lead a fullfilled life means to be aware throughout it all.
And I loved your last sentence for it is so true.
Nadia, this blog was perfect for me, how did you know the other day?!
haha 
I don’t know where to begin except the 2nd picture you posted, is me also. I’m walking the ‘I don’t know anything but love’ journey. I have had a lot of window moments this year and yet its been the last few months especially that I’ve been so tore up beautifully at the center position of one of my greatest dreams, waiting in this open sacred space. I realize there is no longer a need to destine somewhere, to rush the journey, in fact this moment is perfect, and I am not wanting. I am doing things lately I love and am risking more than I ever have. The other day I committed to a project that my inner child wants me to do, I’m actually listening to her but I’m scared every loving step of the way! I am learning all about ‘worth’ and ‘embracing a soft open space’ to become all that I can be. Still, I am not really certain of anything except that I am here now, and I am aligning with love and truth. Somehow this is enough for me. Your blog really touched a lot of strings! thank you! ~hugs, Jen
.-= Sharmila´s last blog ..Desiring God: A Gentle Caress’ =-.
Hi Jen,
You are most welcome! Good for you for listening to your inner child and following what she is telling you. That is awesome and just know that with each step, it gets easier. In the beginning, it will feel painful like pulling off band-aids but with time, it will be a piece of cake.
You go, girl and create the life that YOU want!
I absolutely loved your last paragraph. It was pure poetry to my eyes, Nadia. Wow! Like what Adyashanti said, I know nothing for certain. On days I think otherwise, I know the “me” has grabbed hold of the reins and I’ve slipped unconscious again.
I know nothing. And that’s such a lovely concept for me!
I’ve felt love, and know what it feels like in my heart when it’s been allowed to enter in the past. I know I liked it. Hmm, now I’m backpedaling and think I could say I do know some things. Or I think I know them.
In any case, the whole construct of “me” is what I know, personally, causes suffering. When I’m caught up in my ego-driven existence, that wants to attach to everything outside itself – I ultimately suffer. When I can release from that, peace ensues.
What a phenomenal post. Thank you, my friend.
.-= Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s last blog ..Love Leaves Again =-.
Hi Megan,
Thank you so much for the compliments. It is much appreciated.
It is funny…the ego thinks it knows some stuff and then there is the real part of ourselves that is aware of what is truly important in life. That duality exists within us and yet there is no duality. Everything is as it is but the human mind likes to describe things as if describing something makes it real or gives it context. We humans are funny, aren’t we?
Nadia, I do love reading about your healing journey. It is such a beautiful tale of “coming home.” And you know that ALL of us have these stories so when we read a post like this we know that we can do what you have done too! We gain courage. My healing journey was about a 10 year long one too (perhaps a magic number?) and layers of it continue today. Mine came about as a result of very painful, long term marriage. I had pretty much lost myself along the way… And what I know now as a result of it is this: Only Love is real. Sounds trite, trivial, but it is true and the only thing that matters. May we all embody the love we innately are….the love we are meant to be to one another. Heal on!
Hi Jan,
Thank you so much. We definitely all have to undergo some type of healing journey eventually. Let’s face it….we all have inner demons that we need to face and overcome. No one is immune from this and in my experience, I used to think I was alone in that. However, with time, I have come to see that we all have our pains. The great thing is that we can learn from one another so thank you so much for sharing your experience. Love is the only thing that is real. How true!
And yay for healing on!
That was a very lovely response to me, Nadia, thanks. Ever since I read it the other day I have put the matter peacefully to rest. Just getting back here now to tell you that, better a little late, than never.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..One Blogging Buddy Down, 758 To Go =-.
Hi Jannie,
You are welcome. I am happy that it helped and that you put that matter to rest. Yay!
Great post as usual. What I love about this one is it gets at the heart of being genuinely yourself. We all put up so many defenses against each other out of fear and end up living lives of “quiet desperation”. When people really come to terms with themselves the way you are describing, they start being more genuine and attracting people to them. Human’s like what’s real and all the facades we put up end up being a waste of time.
.-= lena´s last blog ..Using "The Peaceful Scene" =-.
Hi Lena,
You are so right. People like what is real and pretending to be something you are not is truly a waste of time and energy.
One thing that has always humored me is when people say that they crave honesty in relationships and yet they are so guarded in their interactions. Love is open. Love is not a close fist and when we are true to who we are it is so much easier to be open.
I know that surprises are everywhere for me and things are not always what they seem – at all! That nothing is certain.
Damn it. I wish I knew something more, something more hopeful.
Hi Natalia,
No worries….the fact that you know that surprises are everywhere and that things are not always what they seem is pretty powerful. So please do not be so hard on yourself.
Hi Nadia…
Thought provoking! How many of us really do know ourselves? We must learn to live with our integrity intact…we must be true to ourselves. My daughter gave me a bracelet a few years ago…and truly I wear this bracelet everyday because it is my favorite quote….ever….
“to thine own self be true…”
Here’s part of a great poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
“Tis the Set of the Sails….”
One ship sails East,
And another West,
By the self-same winds that blow,
‘Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales,
That tells the way we go.
Like the winds of the sea
Are the waves of time,
As we journey along through life,
‘Tis the set of the soul,
That determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
Do not be a pawn for mass consciousness. Claim your own power and steer your own ship…otherwise life will steer it for you and there’s no telling where you’ll go!
Kathy
.-= Kathy Dobson´s last blog ..Companionship =-.
Hi Kathy,
What a beautiful poem! Thank you so much for sharing it with me. And yes….”to thine own self be true”. That is so wise.
I will definitely take charge of the wheel and steer my own ship. Thank you for the support. You rock!
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