awakening
July 2008 
The Awakening
Posted on Nov 30th, 2006
by 
Photizo
Photizo
The Awakening
by Sonny Carroll
A time comes in your life when you finally get it .………... when, in
the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your
tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!
Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a
child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to
subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears, and
begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening.
You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to
change…..... or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping
over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that no one
is really Prince Charming or Cinderella, and that in the real world
there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that
matter), and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin
with you ... and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of
acceptance.
You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect, and that not
everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you
are ……... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and
opinions. And you learn the importance of loving and championing
yourself ……... and in the process, a sense of new found confidence
is born of self-approval.
You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they
did to you (or didn't do for you), and you learn that the only thing
you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean, or mean what
they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you, and
that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own,
and to take care of yourself …..... and in the process, a sense of
safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers, and you begin to accept
people as they are, and to overlook their shortcomings and human
frailties ….. and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment
is born of forgiveness.
You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world
around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that
have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through
all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you
should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what
you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you
should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry,
the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your
parents, family, and friends.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And
you begin reassessing and redefining who you are, and what you
really stand for.
You learn the difference between wanting and needing, and you begin
to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never
have bought into to begin with ….... and in the process, you learn
to go with your instincts.
You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there
is power and glory in creating and contributing, and you stop
maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your
next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the
outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together
the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn that you don't know everything, and that you can't teach a
pig to sing.
You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility, and the
importance of setting boundaries, and learning to say NO.
You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to
carry, and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love,
when to stop giving, and when to walk away.
You learn to look at relationships as they really are, and not as
you would want them to be.
You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes.
And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside,
smoothing things over, and ignoring your needs.
You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK…..... and
that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you
want ... and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.
You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with
love, kindness, sensitivity, and respect, and you won't settle for
less.
And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to
care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced
diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.
You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty, and
so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body,
laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.
You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe
you deserve ... and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and
that wishing for something to happen is different from working
toward making it happen. More importantly, you learn that in order
to achieve success, you need direction, discipline, and
perseverance.
You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that it's OK to
risk asking for help.
You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber
baron of all: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through
your fears because you know that whatever happens, you can handle
it, and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life
on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to
squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.
You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you
think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to
unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to
personalize things.
You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your
prayers. It's just life happening.
And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego.
You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment
must be understood, and redirected, or they will suffocate the life
out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.
You learn to admit when you are wrong, and to build bridges instead
of walls.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple
things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the
earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running
water, a soft warm bed, and a long hot shower.
Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself,
and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to
never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to
the wind.
And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to
stay open to every wonderful possibility.
Finally, with courage in your heart, and God by your side you take a
stand, You take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you
want to live as best you can.
This is what life is truly all about.
author unknown
Access: Public