The Phoenix

We all know the legend of the Phoenix. The Greek bird dies by fire, only to be reborn from the ashes. It is my "sign" in life. I look for the word Phoenix and images of phoenixes to validate that I am on the right path. On the days that I run into the word or image, I feel such joy. 

This week the phoenix came up in a few of my conversations, organically, and from people who do not know that this is my symbol from the universe. Woohoo! I'm on the right path.

One conversation really stuck with me. My girlfriend and I were chatting and she said, "Isn't it so interesting how the greatest growth comes from our lowest points in life?"

Precisely! Whenever we are in the valleys of life, we tend to first do a lot of "why mes" and then (hopefully) after you move past the victimization stage, you find the courage to soul seek within. The most trying and difficult times in our lives propel us to change, to learn, to grow in order to come to terms with the rawness of  hardship. Evolution doesn’t come from rainbows and unicorns. It comes from the moments that test our humanity. 

It then occurred to me that the idea of hitting the proverbial rock bottom is the perfect imagery for growth. Where else would you find the foundation upon which you can  stand taller, if not on a solid rock stable bottom? Hitting the bottom, as difficult as it can be, is the best way to start again. There is nowhere but up and since you’ve already handled the worst, everything else is icing on the cake.

So this idea of "dying" in the fires of difficulty, only to be reborn a better, stronger version of yourself is quite fitting for me right now. Not that depression is by any means my rock bottom, far from it. But when you go through a bout of depression and you are questioning why you're even on this planet, to then find yourself  (with the help of medication) waking up better and mentally stronger each day is such a blessing. I am shaking off the ashes and realigning with my purpose, with my goals. It really is a beautiful process. 

Yet another thing to keep in mind, whenever we are hitting those lows in life, remember that the big shift, the next level of happiness you're seeking, is not far behind. If you haven't reached the bend in the road that starts you moving upwards, you will get there. I promise. Be your own Phoenix: reborn from the ashes of your past traumas, more resilient and beautiful for them. 

Ciao,
Jamiesonxo