Finding passion and purpose

If each of us could see ourselves as we truly are, the image would surely astound us. It would change our mirrored reflection that distorts our inner beauty, majestic power and true life purpose.

by Janice Romney Farnsworth — 

Every young girl dreams of what her life will be like one day. Drifting into a world of fairy tales, the future lies before her. Eager to explore, the best is yet to be. The innocence of childhood rings with laughter and simple pleasures while butterflies dance among the flowers, without any cares.

But what happens when years pass and dreams shatter, hearts get broken and more of life has already been lived than has yet to be experienced? What happens to the heart of the innocent one?

Illusion no longer colors her world. No longer a child, she’s a woman with a past. Her life story is written in the creases around her eyes.

Every wrinkle and the graying of her hair has its own cause. Although, her memory may be failing, how can she forget her age when she undresses and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror? And that face! Although her features are quite familiar, does she know the woman behind those eyes?

Major life changes have a way of shaking us loose from our roots. Familiarity does not necessarily mean acceptance and connection.

Yet, in our sorrow, we find ourselves. When we’ve been ripped from our place of comfort and dumped into our worst fear, we really get to know who we are. It is the fire of life through which we all must walk that refines us. Just as the butterfly emerges from its cocoon — we emerge from the depths of despair with liberating wings.

Every decision we make, every road we travel, and each life experience is part of a larger picture. Everything in our life fits. There is nothing to regret or throw away, but often there is much from which to heal.

Our second calling in life challenges us to redefine our self-image, reaffirm our beliefs and rekindle our dreams. To do this, we must explore every aspect of our hidden self. Every fear must be explored and transformed. Every habit that no longer serves us must be conquered.

Step onto your pathway of spirituality and the light of God’s love will show you the way. Wake with a desire to know yourself and to love what you find. Ask for healing and be willing to do the work necessary to transform your life.

Doors open and doors close. We change inside and out, just as seasons come and go. We are asked to be born again and again, as our spirit’s life is not static. God is calling us, as women, to heal so that we can anchor the light of love in our heart, as roots that cause great miracles to bloom every day around us.

If each of us could see ourselves as we truly are, the image would surely astound us. It would change our mirrored reflection that distorts our inner beauty, majestic power and true life purpose.

Just when you think you have spent all your energy, battled more than your share and buried your dreams too deep for retrieval, think again. This is the miracle of life. We do not work alone, but we do emerge from our cocoons as Women with Wings.

Janice Romney Farnsworth is an inspirational speaker and self-discovery facilitator who offers workshops, weekend retreats and gives presentations to students for the prevention of teen dating violence. She is the author of Beneath Wings of an Angel, a woman’s healing journey to recovery from domestic violence. www.beneathangelwings.com or www.awakentospirit.homestead.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 25, Number 2, April/May 2006.