OCTOBER 30, 2015
Transforming Yourself Into Gold
At this time of
year in the northern hemisphere, the leaves are waving their final
farewell. When fall arrives, there follows the dread of winter, but
while every year we know the change in seasons is inevitable, we still
need to adjust ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally. Change
needs getting used to.
For some,
adjusting to change is an acceptance of the natural flow of life like
the seasons. For others, change can only mean pain and discomfort. When
we flail rather than accept, rage rather than surrender, change becomes
an enemy to be wrestled with and fought.
But, back to the
leaves. No words can describe the burst of red oaks and golden maples.
Only upon a recent walk through the trees did I realize how these
colours were, uncannily, symbolic of change in our own lives.
Take the fiery
energy of red. The process of change has been described as “going
through fire”. In our human experience, we can relate pain, loss, shame
as ‘going through fire’. No one is spared from life’s changing cycles,
but fire being the element of transformation, we can choose how the
fires in our lives will affect us: we can turn into ashes or come out
from the blaze better, wiser, brilliant.
Then there is the
magic of alchemy and the secret of transmuting lead into gold. What is
your definition of turning into gold? I see it as emerging from the
flames glistening in courage and strength. Many define strength as tough
or forceful. I see it another way. I regard the strongest of people,
the ones who walk around glowing like gold from the fires of their
lives, as the softest of individuals, compassionate, kind, and gentle. I
see them as powerful in their sense of self, gleaming in their wisdom
and generosity, indestructible spiritual beings finally making sense of
their human experience.
We all can
transform ourselves into gold. Wherever life’s fires come from, we can
weather the arduous journey if we so choose, and emerge from the blaze
glistening with strength, wisdom, softness.
I share this
with every person who has gone, or is going, through fire in their life,
and may be turning into gold and do not realize it.
©2015 Copyright Margie Santos