As I shared in my previous email (see "Gifts in the Storm" below if you missed it), the last day of my recent beach vacation in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico started out stormy. It’s not what I had planned on but then again, I’m not in charge of the weather (or many of the other things I sometimes like to think I can control.) 

 

After enjoying the gifts brought by the storm, the rain stopped and the sun started to break through. Far out over the ocean on the horizon, I could still see the wall of rain and yet closer toward me, I could see the sun sparkling like diamonds on the water. I couldn’t believe the rich feast before my eyes. I was seeing two completely opposite things but both so uniquely beautiful. In fact, maybe it was because the background was dark and stormy that the dazzling waves shone extra bright? The contrast definitely increased the beauty of sunlight on the water.

 

When storms of life hit, they feel anything but beautiful at the time. I know this. I’m going through a season of storms personally and that’s life. I’ve had readers make comments that I seem so wise and appear to have it all together. Unfortunately an author doesn’t write a book about life lessons and then suddenly life decides not to serve any more challenges or obstacles to grow through. I wish! If I’ve said it once, I’ve tried to say it one thousand times: these lessons I share are for me. If you get something out of them also, then it’s a double win. So yay, let’s continue… 

 

Life storms are not pleasant and yet they do provide contrast with more peaceful times, yielding gratitude and deeper perspective. And they pave the way to growth that couldn’t have come about any other way.

 

The other nugget I latched onto while staring at both extremes is how often I’ve led my life so black and white, “either/or,” instead of “and.” Lately, I am learning to hold two ends of the spectrum of life at the same time. I may have situations that cause grief while other things bring joy. I never knew I had the option to experience both simultaneously. I thought I had to choose one and ignore the other. Not so. I find it very comforting actually to be present and allow both sets of feelings. It seems that one anchors the other and makes it more rich. This dual awareness and honoring of my reality stretches my emotional muscles and somehow that feels like growth and maturity. Expansion. Expansion feels good!

 

Look for opposites today. Is there a way you can you appreciate a sense of duality with whatever your day or season of life holds for you? Start small if you have to. Notice the transition from the warmth of a summer day to the chill of an air-conditioned space. How long can you hold onto feeling warm before you only feel cool? As an experiment, see if you can notice both at the same time. Another possibility: pay attention to feeling tired physically, yet energized emotionally. Let’s give thanks that we don’t have to live in small “either/or” boxes and can embrace all of our reality and be fully present. Have a gift-filled day!

 

(Last week's email is included below in case you missed it. I sent it out later than usual which felt deliciously imperfect and is another perfect example of choosing "and" instead of "either/or." I realized late Monday night that I hadn't uploaded the content to go out super early Tuesday like normal. I debated on climbing out of bed to do it or just skipping that week. That's "either/or" thinking. Then I realized I could prepare it in the morning and just send it out a few hours later than usual. That's expansion!)
 

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Gifts in the Storm
 

Nobody wants to wake up on the last day of vacation and see dark storm clouds rolling in. I mean, it’s the very last day to enjoy everything. I had the morning all mapped out for how I was going to spend my last hours on the beach. Change of plans! I was disappointed at first but I chose to embrace what was good about it.